Although I can understand the draw for seeking change in our community (or city or nation), I think that if we set our sites on it (when it is not the command of Scripture to either the believer or to the church to do so), we end up focusing in on the wrong thing and can get discouraged when it doesn’t happen. Mt. 28:19-20 clearly states that certain, chosen disciples are to make more disciples (note that this command was directly given to the 11 primary disciples and not to the other believers). Disciples are individuals (not communities) and whether or not changes in these individuals will change their communities positively really becomes irrelevant (as Matt said - the really important thing is the change in an individual’s heart).

Let us, as a church, set our sites on teaching the Word of God and making true disciples of the believers that God has blessed us with. If God chooses to change the community we live in positively, that is His will and He is sovereign and able to do so. If He chooses to allow His church to undergo persecution, that is also in His sovereign control. God is sovereign and we are not. Therefore it is up to us to trust and obey - regardless of what happens with the community we live in.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

We are suppose to care about people and be interested in everyone we know falling in love with and following Jesus. That can and should include entire communities, cities and even nations.

Thank you for your response. I can understand why you’d want to see the community transformed. However, can you present the biblical basis for this being the church’s mission? I believe, as I have said previously, that God is sovereign and there is no way for us to know what will happen in the community if a great number of people (or even a few) become true disciples.

I give for example the Church in Jerusalem. Did they transform their community for the better? No, they did not because it was not God’s will for them to do so. They were actually destined for persecution because of their faith. This was God’s chosen method for spreading His Word throughout Asia.

“And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison” (Acts 8:1b-3).

It would be very interesting to start up a thread for people to discuss what the Bible says the roles of the church are.

“you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9b).

It’s just that revolution has a common man-centered theme - power to the oppressed people (let’s free ourselves from taxes, tyranny, etc). As long as we are not forced to sin, it is God’s will for us to submit to every human institution (1 Peter 2:13-15). On the other hand, true repentance is God-centered.

So, although I agree with you about wanting to see people throughout the world saved, I don’t have similar aspirations about seeing significant change taking place in the community of Gresham (or social structures anywhere). It may happen that as the Lord brings more people into His kingdom that the community of Gresham might become more focused on the things of God. But, then again, it may not. The community could get worse. This is totally outside of our control because God is sovereign and we are not. It is up to us to do the things He has commanded us to do in His Word (trust and obey).

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31b-32).

Neither Jesus nor the disciples (after the resurrection) ever attempted to overthrow, or even change, the existing social structures. Jesus never condemns the slavery that was widespread throughout the Roman empire. He never argued against the oppressive taxation of the people. He never sought to dethrone Herod, the Romans, or the Sanhedrin. What did He do and what did He teach and tell us to do?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comorted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Mt. 5:3-12).

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt. 5:44).

As a church I think that we need to honestly evaluate how we are doing at fulfilling the great commission:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Mt. 28:19-20a).