The Redemption Center
May 8, 2008
By Randy Mantik
When we lived in Massachusetts, we would take our recyclables
to community “Redemption Centers” and get cash in return. As I was looking at
the sign one day, I thought, “That looks like a church name!”
I was working on my sermon for Sunday when I got to thinking
about those redemption centers again. The church where I was on staff used the
water coolers with the big plastic bottles. I not only took recyclables to the
redemption center, but also took the empty water bottles to be cleaned and
refilled. As I thought on that, it struck me — we are bottles, vessels,
as the Bible describes us, that get empty. We must constantly be refilled. Just
like those water bottles going back to be filled up again.
Here are some thoughts on that process:
1. At the redemption center we must bring the bottle in.
Similarly, followers of Christ must admit our need to be refilled. We can’t
just go about it on our own. We must have fresh filling constantly. Jesus said,
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be
filled” (Matthew 5:6, NIV).
2. The bottle must be cleansed. Before anything else can
happen, we must be emptied of ourselves and cleansed. Paul said, “If a man
cleanses himself … he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy,
useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). The
cleansing comes before the refilling. We must get it in order.
3. The bottle is refilled regularly. “Be filled with the
Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). “Filled” in this passage does not speak of a one-time
filling. It is a constant filling. You could say the verse means, “Keep on
being filled.” One thing is certain about us — we don’t stay filled. We
leak!
Maybe you feel dry in your spiritual life today. I challenge
you to get to church. Find a “redemption center” near you. Receive the cleansing
of the Word and worship, and be encouraged through fellowship. And be filled.
And be filled. And be filled.
— Randy Mantik is lead pastor at CrossPoint AG in
Portage, Wis.
