Having reviewed the great events of the life of Christ, the second half of the Christian year gives us opportunity to focus on Christ's Church. The builders who are called into Christ's service should also expect to face choices. Christ did not come to bring peace but division. When that division occurs, their love for Christ will far outweigh love for anything else, even life itself. And yet, what a blessing that Jesus promises: whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
The Church Grows: The Only Righteousness—God's
Having reviewed the great events of the life of Christ, the second half of the Christian year gives us opportunity to focus on Christ's Church. The builders who are called into Christ's service should expect persecution. Just as Jesus was opposed, so will they be. However, they need not fear that opposition. Jesus promises to acknowledge before his Father all those who acknowledge him before mankind. To builders in the Church, God's approval is far more important than the approval of mankind.
The Church Grows: The Harvest Is Plentiful
Having reviewed the great events of the life of Christ, the second half of the Christian year gives us opportunity to focus on Christ's Church. The builders who are called into Christ's service are to be viewed as a gift—given by a gracious God out of compassion for his people. God sends them to serve as shepherds for his sheep—to feed, guide, and protect them from harm.