The Hope, the Promise, the Future

I received a letter from Steve DeNeff, a pastor from Indiana, concerning the hope, the promise, and the future of the people of God. Regarding the people of God, he says (adapted):

• They want churches that preach repentance.
• They want sermons on absolutes.
• They want worship that transcends the temporal.
• They see a God who is bigger than life, who occupies the center.
• They are ordinary people with annoying consciences.
• They believe the deepest truths have already been discovered.
• They think church growth is not a science, but a function of a sovereign God.
• They believe after every conversion comes a life of discipleship, or it is really no conversion at all.
• When they consider the martyrs, they think of paying to their sons the debt they owe the fathers.
• They sometimes feel estrangement from the visible church.
• They are serious. Intense.
• They are not arrogant or rude.
• They do not go looking for a fight, but they know when they stake out a position, controversy will await them.
• They know their future hinges on the sovereignty of God.