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church for losers

Well, maybe we need to talk a little more about the word loser.  The normal definition and God's definition are a long way from each other.  People would say that a loser is some one maybe who has no money or is homeless.  Maybe go as far as a person who is unemployed or who has been married several times.

Jesus looked at people in a much different way.  He saw the potential in people when no one else could or even wanted to.  Jesus went after the losers of His day.  It was His words, His healing and His friendship that allowed them to see that God had plans for those that the world thought were losers.  

Have we learned to do as Jesus did?  I'm afraid the church hasn't learned much.  We are known for fighting more than for peace.  We are known for what we are against more than what we are for.  We are known for being judgmental rather than being accepting and loving others.  God has called us to accept those that few others accept.  He has called us to let losers know that they are and can be winners with God.

Romans 15:7 NLT
Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

1 Corinthians 12:23 NLT
And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care...

I have been called to lead our church not only to minister to people who might be consider losers, but God also called us to have a church for losers and full of losers.  These people that some might call losers are winners in my book.  Better yet, they are winners in God's grand scheme of things.  And that is what really matters.

As I mowed the grass yesterday, a song got my attention.  Read some of the words:

"Beautiful Letdown" by Switchfoot

...We are a beautiful let down, 
Painfully uncool,
The church of the dropouts
The losers, the sinners, the failures and the fools
Oh what a beautiful let down
Are we salt in the wound
Let us sing one true tune...
I don't belong here

A church for losers is what our communities need.  Fewer country club settings where you have to dress right and smell right.  God is calling you and me to enter the streets, to walk down to skid row and be where it might not be cool to be.  All the way we have to confess that the only difference between me and others is that Jesus is my Savior.  He is who everyone needs?

God didn't call us to Christianize the world.  He didn't call us to make everyone dress, act or talk the same.  He called us to tell the world that Jesus loves them and Jesus died for them.  If they consider themselves a loser, it is time for a change because God set his church for losers up to be places where those who look to Jesus become winners.

Is your church for losers?

Luke 14:23 NASB
And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.

Isaiah 52:7 NLT
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,the good news of peace and salvation,the news that the God of Israel reigns!

Lets lead those around us to be great and to be a church for losers so that more and more people can win the way God intended them to win.  Will you join me?

Comments

Donna Pratt said…
AMEN. I love this blog. Had a conversation today with a dear lady who was served at our recent Mothers Car Care Clinic. She said that she is going to start coming to our church because for the first time she saw "real" people at a church. "Real" people who weren't trying to be something other than their beautiful, imperfect selves.
May 31, 2011 at 7:20:00 PM EDT
Unknown said…
very happy about your thoughts! I pastor a small church in California and the email is: losersforchrist@gmail.com

it is amazing that in Christ, all of the losers... win!
January 14, 2013 at 12:33:00 AM EST
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