Know Your City

Jeremiah 29:4-7; Acts 17:1-4,16-23, 34

“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city...Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7

“People of Athens! I see that in every way, you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship…” Acts 17:23

We are indeed blessed to be part of this great city, Park Forest! I believe that the majority of us have a strong connection to this great city, whether by birth, marriage, or job. Many of us can even tell the story of this city without consulting any literature! That’s awesome and amazing!

As part of our new beginning, we will explore the city of Park Forest together and find ways to lead Christ-loving people and Kingdom-seeking brothers and sisters to our church. I want us to reconsider the importance of Park Forest as our mission field. Why is this necessary? I believe that rethinking and gaining a new understanding of Park Forest will help us develop a mission strategy to make disciples for the kingdom of God, where love and peace reign!

I would like us to follow Paul’s example by touring Park Forest, visiting its historic sites, and praying for revival in our city. We all recognize that Park Forest today is quite different from that of seventy-five years ago in many ways: religiously, economically, demographically, in values, and in social life. A city that was once built on a strong foundation of religion and economics, characterized by exceptional social relationships and a strong sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, has undergone significant changes. In the early days of Park Forest, it was unthinkable for a family not to attend church on Sundays, but the situation is quite different today!

Paul was in Athens for a specific purpose: to share the good news and lead people to Christ. He used a strategy that I believe we should adopt. It was through walking the city’s streets that he discovered the strategy to address the Athenians. Our strategy begins with understanding our city—its layout and dynamics—and creating a plan that encourages positive relationships, inviting people to attend church. We will explore local schools and build relationships with them. This can include asking how we can legally help, such as organizing a Back-to-School program or hosting a weekend festival at the park. Additionally, we should invite and encourage village officials to participate in our events.

Leaving our building to explore our city aligns with God’s command to Abraham, who was called to step out of his comfort zone and journey to an unknown destination where he would receive blessings (Genesis 12:1-4). Abraham obeyed, and it’s important to note that this obedience came at a cost — he faced discomfort and many challenges along the way. Similarly, we must prepare ourselves for the challenges of stepping outside our comfort zones to do extraordinary things that many of us haven't pursued in years, in following God's directive to reach out to our community. Additionally, we are fulfilling Jesus' last command: "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). We cannot stay within the four walls of our sanctuary and expect the change we desire.

God has a special love for cities. He instructed the Israelites to seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which they were exiled to and to pray for it, saying, “because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). Throughout the Bible, we see how God expresses His incredible love for people by understanding their circumstances and even transforming deeply sinful cities (as shown in Jonah 3:10).

It is our responsibility to love our city and help expand the Kingdom of God within it. Despite the contemporary society's growing indifference toward the church, let us remember that God is very active in our cities, and we can be instruments of His love and compassion. Let us pray that God’s love may continue to flow and transform our city.

This morning, as we all leave our homes to gather in this sanctuary for a purpose, God is calling us to go out into our city as His missionaries. We’re called to leave behind our homes, families, and friends in pursuit of a greater purpose. Our faith compels us to believe that the Word of God is truth, and that a very real and tangible inheritance awaits us in doing his will.

Abraham was called to leave behind the presence of friends and family, the comfort of familiar surroundings, and the land that would have been his inheritance. He was to venture into a world that often turned hostile toward strangers, stepping onto an open road without knowing what lay ahead. All God instructed him was to "GO," so Abraham obeyed and went.

God is still calling people today to focus on His mission of transforming the city. Just as Abraham faced challenges, we too will likely encounter modern challenges, such as apathy toward the church. However, just as Abraham succeeded, I believe we will also succeed. Park Forest is a mission field that God is calling us to serve at this time. Let’s move forward in faith and make disciples for Christ.