“Imagine”

1/13/2021 – Pastor Brian’s Blog –

In 1971…

John Lennon wrote a song titled “Imagine.” It would become his best-selling single of his solo career. His lyrics encouraged the listener to imagine a world at peace without the barriers of borders or the divisions of religion and nationality and to consider the possibility that the whole of humanity would live unattached to material possessions.

In 2021…

Imagine if Christians would look at every person (those we agree with, as well as those that would disagree with us) knowing they were made in the image of God…

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Genesis 1:27

Imagine if we would commit to getting along with other Christians the way Paul described in his letter to the Philippians…

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

Philippians 2:14-15

Imagine if we would show off the forgiveness of God…

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13

Imagine if we lived in these turbulent times showing others that we really believed…

That in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Imagine if we demonstrated in our lives that…

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8

Imagine if we became a thankful people….

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:19-20

Imagine if we were really passionate about bringing people to Christ…

Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God, even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10:32-33

Imagine if all of a sudden we would be as consumed with the Word of God as we are with who is president?

Imagine if we would spend as much time listening to God as we do listening to the news?

Imagine if we became more passionate about what we believe about Jesus than we are about other things we believe.

Imagine the change that would happen in our lives if the last few phrases became reality!

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

---

John Lennon’s song became so popular because it spoke of what people are really longing for: “a world with no war but peace, nothing to kill or die for, no religion, no greed or hunger, a world that would be as one.”

The problem is…

Man cannot bring about such a perfect world. Only when the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings returns will all of our longings come true.

So…

Imagine if The Church made the most important thing, the most important thing…

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

With so many people in power wanting to change us, it is time that we as Christians stand up and begin to change our world! As Christians, if we want our life to matter, then we need to live our life in such a way that the world will be glad we were born!

Imagine if Christians would apply the words of Elizabeth Elliot… “The church has the greatest influence on the world, when it is the farthest removed from it.”

If we choose to live a Godly life; well, “We can only imagine…”