The tale of two cities

[Genesis 11:1-9; Hebrews 11:8-10; Jeremiah 29:4-7]

{Rev Dwight Yoo}

There is a big difference between being in a country and being for a county. We call them patriots. The ready are just americans. This is the same for our attitude towards the city. We can be a church in the city, but that does not make us for the city. I believe that we are called to be for the city as a church. To serve our city.

Perspectives: How to view the city

The city of God by St. Augustine speaks of two cities. One that is earthly and self-centered. The other is heavenly, selfless, and God-centered. Two paths are found though-out the old testament. The city of Cain's descendents is skilled and proud. The cities of Nimrod, Nineveh and Babel, are filled with technological skilled and proud people. They are cities that forsake God and are self-seeking. It is filled with people who love power, their own glory, and making their own way. The city of man is built on love of self to the contempt of God.

So what of the other city? There is a man called Abraham. He is dependent on God. God promises to make a nation of his descendents. And a city called Jerusalem...that would be ruled by God's values: justice, love, holiness, and the worship of God. It is judged and falls short. But there is a heavenly city and we, as believers, are citizens of this city. It is both here and not yet here. Our home is the city of God. So how are we to treat the other city?

Practicalities: How to treat the city

There are several options.

Join them. - this sounds ridiculous, but some of us still want to make a name for ourselves. We want earthly things and want them more than God.

Escape and avoid them. - we see them as different and run away from them. People move out to the suburbs because they want to get away from them. They join little christian circles and avoid non-christians entirely.

Use them. - we go to see shows.enjoy the food. Just take the good things and ignore everything else.

Serve them. - we love and lay down our lives for them. We go out and live like citizens of the city of God. Our love should be like that of Christ in coming into the mess of the city of man and laying down His life for them.

Power: How we become a church FOR the city

As sinners, we will normally hate and devalue those who get in our way. We will live as those trying to get rather than those who already have it all in Christ.

In Christ, we have nothing to prove. We don't need to live to get. God will provide for everything that we need. The world holds nothing for us. Christ provides our value, our importance, and our identity. So act it. We are to serve and give to the city.