Yeah…What Batman just Said.
So I really like Batman – from the old television series to the most recent film iterations. If it is Batman on screen, I like it. (Except Batman & Robin, that was horrible). Anyway – there’s a moment in the film Batman Begins that helps define who Bruce Wayne is to become and how it affects the people around him:
“It’s not who you are underneath, it’s what you do that defines you.”
This message helps begin the transformation of billionaire playboy to the world’s greatest detective and crime fighting aficionado. Batman realizes that it is his actions that will convince the public he is not an enemy, that what he does for the city that builds trust.
In a similar vein, this quote that inspires Bruce Wayne to become Batman must inspire the church to become The Church – The Body of Christ. The sermon yesterday (found here, 05/05/19) found us looking at The Golden Rule in Matt 7:12 – 12“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. (NLT).
This is a command for those that bear the name of Christ into this world to proactively “DO” what Christ would be doing. The world outside our church building will never really know who we are and what we believe unless we give them good reason to investigate or ask the question. That seeking stems from experiencing the Church in motion.
Have we given the world any reason to ask us why we are who we are? Have we given anyone a reason to wonder why we work ourselves above and beyond the world’s standards for the betterment of everyone else?
Really, have you even wondered why the preacher is always asking for volunteers and more time from members and regular giving? Church leadership is tasked with leading the mobilization of the Body of Christ.
The world is waiting for unrequited love, generous compassion, and mercy borne of grace. They may not know it, but God’s love is exactly what they’re searching for. It is our time to DO as we are called to DO out of God’s amazing love for us.