Our God is not a stagnant God. In His eternal perfection He is unchanging but not inactive. This is evident by the very existence of our life in this moment. All of this is here because God, who is complete in Himself, moved forward in creation. He spoke and galaxies formed, waters dispersed and animals came to life. Then our glorious Creator placed His hands into the very dirt He formed in order to fashion mankind into His image. Each day of creation built upon another as our great God moved step by step in accordance with His very good desire to share Himself with those He created.Â
The movement of history upon creation led to the rebellion of Adam of Eve, and while the fall of man explains the corrupt world we see today, it also provides a picture into the heart of a God who desires to move the story of redemption forward. It is God who points to a future moment when His chosen Messiah would bruise the head of the evil one. In this moment of time, redemptive history began and the Ancient of Days would now enter into time and space by making Himself known to men like Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, and John the Baptist. Their involvement in the story would culminate in the coming of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Thousands of years of history were but a moment for the Sovereign King of Glory who moved men, women, and nations to bring about His purposes in Christ.
A Unmoving Foundation in a Transient World
Why is the forward movement of God in redemptive history important for us to consider today? It’s important, because we are prone to think in time-locked ways that are often more in line with cultural or personal preferences than anything else. It’s easy to impose our understanding of redemption, morality or spiritual practices on Abraham or the Israelites of the Old Testament, because we live in full view of Christ’s death and resurrection. On a more base level, we cannot comprehend the life of the patriarchs or the early church and so we struggle to relate to them, yet the Lord was gracious to meet them in their moment of history just as he does for us today.Â
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1:1–2
While culture and technology has radically changed over history, the character and nature of God has not. While the worship practices of the patriarchs, living in the Ancient Near East, seem crude and foreign to our sophisticated world today, their longing to commune with the One Holy God is no different than those who raise their hands in church each Sunday. The forward momentum of God in His redemptive work may have begun with a rock altar and a physical sacrifice but forever moves us closer to the One behind the altar, the One who is the sacrifice. The form may have changed but the focal point is the same – Jesus.Â
Momentum and the Problem of Change
Here’s the exciting part – God’s forward momentum in the world today did not stop with the cross and empty tomb. Now seated at the right hand of the Father, Jesus lives to move His work forward by way of His Spirit and His people. His story of redemption continues with His church. We have been called into the ministry of reconciliation, alongside our Savior, so that the world may hear and respond to His gospel call.Â
This happens in large and small ways here at Heritage as men and women take hold of our mission to make followers of Christ by living the gospel life among the nations. Each week unbelievers are being invited to hear of the good news and respond. Brothers and sisters in Christ are praying for one another to overcome sin and seek joy in Christ. Sacrificial service and giving enable the one anothers of scripture to define the body life of our growing church. All of this happens because God has invited us to partake in His work of redemption. We are moving forward in mission just as God has moved forward in redemption. It is an incredible joy to be a part of this momentum, but that doesn’t make it easy.
There is one major difficulty with forward momentum in the church – change.Â
As any church moves forward, seeking to be faithful to Jesus and His Word, there are going to be moments of transition. This may take the form of a new pastor being hired, a new building taking shape or a shift in church culture. None of these kinds of change are necessarily bad but that doesn’t mean they’re not hard. By God’s grace, Heritage has seen a lot of growth over the last 40+ years of existence and yet continues to hold fast to Christ and His Word as our foundation. Yes, there have been changes but the heart of our purpose has remained.Â
We rejoice that the same God who established this church in 1977 is the same God who equips us for continued ministry in 2025. We celebrate that the same King who raised up pastors in the past will continue to bring mature, godly men into eldership in the future. We also live in confident hope that the same God who has provided for the needs of this local body will continue to do so for as long as He sees fit. Yes, our church may look different than it once did but it is still led by the same God who never changes.Â
Given that God has seen fit to continue moving our church forward in this gospel work – what role do you play?Â
- Are you invested in the mission at Heritage or content with simply attending a service?Â
- Are you using your talents, time, and treasure alongside others at Heritage or is something hindering your involvement?Â
- Are you excited about the future of our church or is the fear of change gripping your heart?Â
It’s not uncommon to wrestle with some of these questions. If you find yourself struggling to dive deep into life at Heritage then stop by the Connect Center on Sunday or touch base with one of the pastors. Our heart is to see our church filled with people who are passionate about Christ and the work He has given us to do. A people humbled by grace and united in purpose as described in Romans 12:3-5:
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
With that same Spirit among the people of Heritage, we can enjoy deep abiding love for one another while we move forward in mission among the nations.Â