Distinct, Hopeful People

     Conclusion by Mark Dever, a pastor in Washington, DC. 

     "The most basic function of a local church is to distinguish between God's people and people who are of the world. In 1630 John Winthrop applied this to the Christian settlers of Boston. No nation, including the U.S., can be the light of this world. It is Christian people reflecting Christ's love, living Christian lives and organized together in churches."

     "In Matthew 5:16, Jesus shows that God can use our lives to help others to become Christians. One can know peace with God, accept his adoption, and perhaps join with Christ in persecution. Although early followers didn't conquer Jerusalem or Rome, churches there bore witness to God's truth and his coming judgment." 

     "The Kingdom that churches work for is not of this world. Churches are previews of the glorious country awaiting us. Healthy churches are previews of that glorious country. In Revelation 20, a city comes from above. The designer and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10 and 11:16. The best preview won't be in our nations, but in our churches."