Foundations for the future city can be found in the life of an ancient man who longed for a city built on peace and justice. Three religions look to this man for inspiration and hope. He was looking for the city “whose builder and maker is God.”
Abraham left everything to go searching for “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” His physical descendants became the Jewish nation and the nation of Islam. His other religious descendants became institutionalized Christianity. However, the people with Abrahm’s vision of God’s city (citizens with hearts hungry to fully align with the will of God) became the radical Christ-followers who have been persecuted throughout the centuries for their active pursuit of God’s city in this present world.
I would design the city of the future based on the ancient Greek ekklesia — the town hall meetings in Greek cities where any citizen could speak. Jesus said that He would build His town hall meeting (ekklesia). When people come together to be led by the Spirit of Christ, deeply caring community results.
Acts 2:42-47 demonstrates that relationship with the living Jesus extends vastly beyond weekly attendance at a Christian event center. Widespread awe, sincere hearts, sacrificial community, signs and wonders, and praising God in daily gatherings was the norm for the early Christ-followers. Attending a Christian event center should never have become a replacement for having a lively heart-to-heart connection with the risen Jesus and intimate community with other believers as described in Acts 2.
Being part of the body of Christ means so much more than attending programs at a religious event center. Christian event centers provide lectures and music but Christ in you is the hope of glory. Perhaps it’s time we let Jesus take the Headship of His body and build His Spirit-led town hall meeting (ekklesia).
Free Gas For Your Think Tank (A blog to jog your mind and unclog your heart . . .) 