Kharkiv, Round Table "Chruch and Society"

Yevgeniy Molodchy's presentation

      March 26, Living Hope Christian Church  in Kharkov, Ukraine hold the second round table “The church and society”, which brought together representatives of various spheres of Christian activity, not indifferent to the crisis taking place in contemporary society. Well known pastors of the city, Association of Christian doctors, university professors, Christian Democratic Party, leaders of various ministries and missions met to discuss the issues raised by the organizers of the roundtable: "What do we need to change in our attitude to society, to help people come to church? How should we reconcile the Church and society without compromising our faith?"

    Pastor Alexander Vyalov, moderator of the round table named 8 questions which needed to be answered for Christians to realize their mission in the world.

      Vyacheslav Kholansky, organizer of the first round table in Kharkov, introduced the questions which allow leaders to understand the inner life in the church communities.

       The issue of Christian identity was widely discussed at the table. The importance of finding it within the Christian community was introduced by Yevgeniy Molodchy, mission minister of Christian Life Church.
       Director of the Institute of Church & State relationships, Sergei Naidenov said: “Ukraine now has a unique opportunity to carry out God's mission in the world as a country which has received such possibility due to God's providence. This is both responsibility and uniqueness of Ukraine.”

     In this context the dialog was continued discussing two upcoming national events in Ukraine this year. The celebration of the 20-th anniversary of Ukraine's independence and upcoming observance of Peresopnytsia Gospel 450-th anniversary translation. The Gospel used in Ukrainian Parliament during president’s inauguration. These events create a precedent for Christians to be more actively involved in public and social life.

     During the discussion the answers were suggested to overcome the wide-ranging crisis at all levels in society, proposed concrete actions to improve the situation in some areas of church and community interactions. Also there was noted the lack of developing dialog at the horizontal level between the various Christian groups and associations of churches. In order to promote futher dialogue, realizing the responsibility of Christians at all levels of life in community, initiative group started to be formed, aiming at consolidating the efforts of Christians in social and public ministry.

Jesus is the One Who saves

Have you ever tried to explain something to someone but it has never come across to him or her. How did you feel about it? Do not worry you are not alone in this company. Jesus has experienced that as well. He even came to the point when He began asking direct questions.

“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”  Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”  Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.”

Mark 8: 27-38, 9:1

Now disciples are on the ground walking on a nice day to Caesarea Philippi. As they walk they talk. Jesus is using this moment to unveil the mystery about him from His dear friends. He understands that disciples had hard time understanding who He really was during all this time that He was with them. So Jesus is using an intricate question to clear up the sky. ‘Who do men say that I am?’ Disciples do not spend much time finding the answer, - ‘John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets’. Now when Jesus directed the conversation in the right direction He addresses them again, - ‘But who do you say that I am?’. And Peter answered to Him, - ‘You are the Christ’. With this last word pronounced by Peter a minute of silence sets in the conversation. It seems like they even stopped walking. What does that mean to be Christ? What does it require from us to follow Jesus – the Christ? These questions penetrate into the disciples minds. The group walks from of the dusty road to a shadow of some trees and Jesus begins to teach them. What does that mean to be with Christ and to follow Him? At this time Jesus is not looking for words. He speaks openly and as clearly as possible for the disciples to understand.

·        Perspective

Jesus is openly talking about what will happen to Him. He says that He must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Peter rebukes Jesus. He takes Jesus aside and tries to talk him out of it. Jesus points out to the things of God. For God in order to save people Christ needs to die on the cross.

·        Cost

Jesus is talking about the cost of following Him. It will not be easy. Following Jesus is connected with a matter of a big price. The price is the condition of a human soul.  ‘For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.  What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?’

·        Benefits

Who stays faithful will be enjoying God’s glory. ‘If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.’ What does it mean to be ashamed? Have you ever been ashamed? Do you want God to be ashamed of you? We are asamed unless we come to Christ and reveal our shame.

Christ saves us from useless efforts, gives us new direction. It will cost you to follow Him but you will not be ashamed, - ‘I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.’