The Church: An Already/Not Yet People
Sept. 5-Oct. 10, 2021

​What is a church good for? Why did God decide the world that God loves needs a church? Well, there are several responses to such questions. A few centuries ago, the Presbyterian Church identified some grand purposes to describe what the church is for. These purposes are called the “Great Ends of the Church.” There are six Great Ends. They describe the life of the church as it is, at least to a point. But they also are aspirational and describe what the church should be. In that sense, they describe the church as it already is, while at the same time, they describe the church as it has yet to become. Beginning Sept. 5, Rev. Are will explore each of these ancient statements. They are hopeful. They are challenging. They are relevant, perhaps more relevant today than they were when they were drafted centuries ago. Of course, these were written in language that sounds more like Thomas Jefferson than the way we talk today; but there is still wisdom to be found in these old words. And when the church chooses to live toward these Great Ends or Great Purposes, there may be no place you would rather be than among these already/not yet people. Rev. Tom Are preaches this sermon series.

Sept. 5	The Proclamation of the Gospel for the Salvation of Humankind
Sept. 12	The Shelter, Nurture and Spiritual Fellowship of the Children of God
Sept. 12	The Maintenance of Divine Worship
Sept. 26	The Preservation of the Truth
Oct. 3	The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World
Oct. 10	The Promotion of Social Righteousness

The Promotion of Social Righteousness
Rev. Tom Are - Oct. 10, 2021

Today we consider the final Great End of the church. Our spiritual grandparents taught us that the church exists for the promotion of social righteousness. Jesus was always concerned about how we relate to others, so a concern for healthy communities is a faithful concern. Our scripture reading is Amos 5:21-24.

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The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World
Rev. Tom Are - Oct. 3, 2021

The sixth Great End of the church is to be an exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world. It's no small charge. We are considering this Great End today because today is World Communion Sunday. When we share a meal with others, it is easier to see them as friends. Today, we share a meal with friends all over the globe. Our scripture readings are John 13:34-35 and Matthew 28:16-20.

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The Preservation of the Truth
Rev. Tom Are - Sept. 26, 2021

Rev. Tom Are preaches on the Fourth Great End of the church, "The Preservation of the Truth." This work may be more important these days than in any other time in our lives. Truth is often attacked. It is sometimes ignored. When this occurs, communities are put at risk, because we cannot stay in healthy relationships without truth. Our scripture readings are Exodus 32:1-6 and John 18:33-38.

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The Maintenance of Divine Worship
Rev. Tom Are - Sept. 19, 2021

The maintenance of divine worship is the third great end of the church. Worship can seem like an experience, like the satisfaction of sharing a good meal, or the relaxation of taking a walk through a park, or even the rush of riding a roller coaster. But experiences don’t require maintenance. Rev. Tom Are preaches this great end teaches us that worship, even more than an experience, is a practice, a discipline, an act of reminding ourselves what life is for. Our scripture reading is Isaiah 6:1-8.

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The Shelter, Nurture and Spiritual Fellowship of the Children of God
Rev. Tom Are - Sept. 12, 2021

Today, Rev. Tom Are considers the second great end of the church: “the shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship of the children of God.” In his last sermon, we were reminded that we belong to God. It follows that belonging to God means we also belong to one another. This great end claims the children of God require shelter, nurture and spiritual friendship. When it comes to faith, our relationship to one another is where the rubber hits the road. Our scripture reading is 2 Timothy 1:3-7.

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The Proclamation of the Gospel for the Salvation of Humankind
Rev. Tom Are - Sept. 5, 2021

This sermon series title is about church. More specifically, what is the church for? What does the church mean to you? And what should the church mean to the world? The Presbyterian (USA) denomination has some historic statements called the “Great Ends of the Church” that attempt to speak to these questions. In this series, Rev. Tom Are reflects on each of these statements to mine their wisdom for our lives in these days. Our scripture reading is John 3:1-10.

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