We are often surprised at the ones Jesus calls into His kingdom. Perhaps there are people around you, or perhaps it is you yourself, who have a checkered past. Maybe people who knew you in your younger years would raise their eyebrows if they saw you sitting here in church. They might think you don’t belong here. They are under the delusion that church is only for the “good” people. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Christian Church is for sinners. These are the ones that Jesus receives and saves.

But what are those treasures in heaven? We find out from Lazarus. Before, he was left alone to die surrounded by dogs; now, he was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. Before, he was poor and hungry; now, he was perfectly content and satisfied. Before, he was covered with sores; now, he was covered in righteousness. Before, no one showed him mercy; now, he was comforted in heaven.

The word “creed” comes from the Latin word “credo,” which means “I believe.” That’s how the first two ecumenical creeds begin, with the words “I believe.” The creeds state what the Christian believes about God based on the teaching of the Bible.

The more we learn about God’s love for us, the more we love Him. And the more we love Him, the more we will want to please Him and honor Him by loving the people around us. In our Catechism workbook, the students and I always have a good discussion about this True/False statement: “More important than being in church on Sunday is living a moral life.” Is that True or False? It is False for two main reasons. First of all, living a moral life does not save anyone, unless we have lived a perfect life (which we haven’t). Second, church is where we are connected to our Lord’s means of grace, which are the fuel source for the Christian life.

The mission of His Church is to speak His Word. We are simply messengers of the King. We don’t come up with our own message, something new to excite the people in our community. We faithfully speak what we have been taught. We give what we have been given. We comfort as we have been comforted.