As I walked into the original small brick building, with its humble little sign hanging over the sidewalk, I was struck by its size. The Ebenezer Baptist Church only sat about 400. You see, it wasn’t the size of their building that distinguished them - it was the size of their vision. And what happened there wasn’t the result of one man’s dream. It was the result of a congregation that was willing to turn a dream into reality - and the world was never the same. Their dream became the vision of a nation.

Our district churches have been given a vision too. That vision is to bring men and women and boys and girls to the foot of the cross. That vision is to see the people of this district weeping tears of joy as they experience the forgiveness of their sins. That vision is to see lives transformed, marriages reconciled, families healed and the greed and hatred in the hearts of men replaced by the love and mercy of God.

But I’m afraid that sometimes I’m far more inspired by the desire to achieve and possess the hopeless promises of this world than I am to be used of God to fulfill this vision. Why is it often so hard to be inspired by this wonderful vision of the gospel?

In Rev.21: 1-4 we read," Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Just think of it. God will wipe away every tear. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain. God will make His dwelling with us. He will actually live among us. Imagine Him walking into your office now and sitting down beside you. We will be His people and He will be our God.

Then in Revelation 22:1-5 we read, "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."

No longer will there be any curse! No more decay, no more hatred, no more envy, no more cruelty, no more lust, no more fighting, no more wars, no more killing! We will see God’s face and reign with Him forever and ever!

God gave us this marvelous vision of what is to come so we can look forward to the glory that awaits us in His presence. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."

As Christians there are spiritual miracles that seem to melt our hearts for the vision of the gospel. The first is when we hear the testimonies of those who have come to Christ. The second is to see former sinners being baptized. 2 Cor. 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come." The testimonies of those coming to faith can literally take our breath away and force us to confront God’s incredible glory? At one time or another we’ve all been to the mountaintop and we’ve seen the glory of the Lord in the lives of those transformed by the gospel.

This past year I’ve been talking a lot about "Becoming Churches without Walls." God gave us this vision so the lost and dying all around us will be able to see Jesus - to see Jesus in us. And when they see Him in us - even if it’s but a poor reflection, He will use that vision of His Son to draw them to the foot of the cross. And what a wonderful scene that will be. What an amazing vision. I can only imagine. I can only imagine.

Steve Musser
Eastern District Superintendent