Three Cities
Introduction
In Matthew 5:14–16, Jesus tells His disciples, “You are the light of
the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” This
imagery paints a vivid picture of visibility, influence, and
responsibility. But not all “cities” shine their light in the same
way. Some repel travelers, others appear welcoming but offer little
true help, and still others open their arms to guide, shelter, and
provide. Today we will look at three metaphorical “cities” that
represent three types of churches in our world and see which one
truly reflects the New Testament pattern.
The Parable
of the Three Cities
Picture yourself as a weary traveler, your wagon loaded with
baggage, trudging through a desert low on food and water. You crest
a hill and see three cities in the distance, each lighting the night
sky. At a crossroads, you can choose one of three roads—each leading
to a very different destination and experience. These cities
represent three types of churches, all claiming to follow Scripture,
all shining light to some degree, but only one embodying the
fullness of the Lord’s will for His people.
City One:
The Fortress Church
This first city shines its light upward but is surrounded by high
walls and guarded gates. The road is worn and poorly maintained. As
you approach, warning arrows are fired to keep you away. This city
represents a church that lives in a state of self-imposed siege.
Such
congregations often focus heavily on verses about separation from
the world: John 15:19, John 17:14–16, and Romans 12:2. These
passages are true and important but are often taken out of balance,
leading to an insular, unwelcoming spirit. Misapplied verses such as
1 Corinthians 5:11 and 1 Corinthians 15:33 are sometimes used to
justify cutting off contact with sinners entirely—yet these verses
address relationships with unrepentant Christians, not outreach to
the lost.
The result is a
fearful, self-protective congregation that forgets Mark 2:17, where
Jesus declared He came to call sinners, and Matthew 28:19, which
commands us to make disciples of all nations. Fear—whether from
societal dangers, pandemics, or persecution—has replaced faith. Yet
2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power, love, and sound mind.
City Two:
The Hypocritical Gate
The second city also shines brightly and keeps its gates open, but
when travelers arrive, they are met with minimal hospitality and a
critical spirit. The road is smooth, but the welcome is shallow.
Inside, the visitor is made to feel unwelcome, judged, or inferior.
This type of
church loves verses about rebuking and correcting—Romans 12:2,
Galatians 6:1, 1 Timothy 5:20, and 2 Timothy 3:16—but misapplies
them to unbelievers rather than to fellow Christians, the group
these passages were intended for. The result is a culture like that
of the fictional “Miss Bertha Better-Than-You,” seeing only the
faults of others while overlooking their own.
They forget
Romans 3:23—that all have sinned; Romans 14:10–13—that we all will
give account to God; and Matthew 7:1–5—Jesus’ warning about judging
others while ignoring our own failings. Rebuke has its place among
believers, but when applied to outsiders, it creates hypocrisy,
drives people away, and contradicts our mission to bring the lost to
Christ.
City Three:
The Open-Armed Light
The third city shines light not only in the sky but along the roads
leading in. There are no walls. The people go out to meet travelers,
help with their burdens, give them a home to rest, and supply them
abundantly for their journey. This city represents the church as the
New Testament describes it—a body that welcomes sinners to hear the
truth.
Jesus modeled
this when He spent time with tax collectors, Samaritans, and others
considered outcasts. In Mark 2:17, He explains that He came for the
sick, not the healthy. This church does not compromise on doctrine
or condone sin, but it allows the lost to come and hear. It follows
the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19–20 by going into the world and
making disciples.
2 Timothy 3:16
is used rightly here—to teach, correct, and instruct in
righteousness in context. Conversion is never forced; the choice to
follow Christ belongs to the individual. The church’s role is to
make the light visible, the welcome sincere, and the gospel
accessible.
Our
Challenge
We must strive to be the third city: a light that shines far, a
congregation without walls, a people eager to guide others to
Christ. We can do this by actively inviting, warmly welcoming, and
generously supporting those who come among us. And when a Christian
moves on to another place, we should equip and encourage them to add
their light to another faithful congregation.
Outline
-
Introduction
-
Matthew
5:14–16: The city on a hill metaphor
-
The
concept of visibility, influence, and responsibility
-
Overview
of the three city archetypes
-
The
Traveler’s Journey
-
The
weary traveler analogy
-
The
crossroads with three roads leading to three cities
-
Each
city representing a type of church
-
City
One: The Fortress Church
-
Description: Walled off, defensive, unwelcoming
-
Key
verses often used: John 15:19; John 17:14–16; Romans 12:2
-
Misapplied verses: 1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 15:33
-
The
neglect of outreach passages: Mark 2:17; Matthew 28:19
-
Fear
replacing faith: 2 Timothy 1:7
-
Result:
No effective outreach, loss of mission
-
City
Two: The Hypocritical Gate
-
Description: Open gate but minimal hospitality, judgmental
attitude
-
Verses
emphasized: Romans 12:2; Galatians 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:20; 2
Timothy 3:16
-
Misapplication to unbelievers instead of fellow Christians
-
Cultural
example: “Miss Bertha Better-Than-You” attitude
-
Neglected verses: Romans 3:23; Romans 14:10–13; Matthew
7:1–5
-
Result:
Hypocrisy, alienation of seekers, contradiction of mission
-
City
Three: The Open-Armed Light
-
Description: Light on the roads, no walls, active outreach
-
Biblical
model: Jesus with Zacchaeus, Samaritan woman, and others
-
Mark
2:17—Jesus’ mission to sinners
-
Great
Commission in action: Matthew 28:19–20
-
2
Timothy 3:16 rightly applied in context
-
Respect
for free will in conversion
-
Result:
Welcoming environment for hearing truth, opportunity for
growth
-
Our
Mission as a Congregation
-
Strive
to be City Three
-
Practical steps: Invite, welcome, support
-
Equip
members who leave to serve elsewhere
-
Maintain
doctrinal faithfulness while keeping the doors open to the
lost
-
Conclusion
-
Only one
city fully follows the whole counsel of God
-
The call
to be a light without walls
-
Invitation to respond to Christ’s call today
Call to
Action
Let us be a congregation that shines light along the roads of life,
goes out to meet travelers, and helps them find rest in Christ.
Commit today to being part of the welcome, the guidance, and the
encouragement that brings others to salvation.
Key
Takeaways
-
A church can
be visible but still unwelcoming.
-
Misapplied
scripture can hinder outreach.
-
Fear and
hypocrisy both damage the church’s mission.
-
The New
Testament model welcomes sinners to hear the truth.
-
Every
Christian has a role in making the church a light without walls.
Scripture
Reference List
-
Matthew
5:14–16 – City on a hill and shining light
-
John 15:19;
John 17:14–16; Romans 12:2 – Separation from the world
-
1
Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Misapplied separation
from sinners
-
Mark 2:17;
Matthew 28:19–20 – Mission to the lost
-
2 Timothy
1:7 – Spirit of power, love, and sound mind
-
Galatians
6:1; 1 Timothy 5:20; 2 Timothy 3:16 – Correction among believers
-
Romans 3:23;
Romans 14:10–13; Matthew 7:1–5 – Humility in judgment
-
Matthew
28:18 – Christ’s authority
Prepared by
Scott Perkins of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
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