Three Cities

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

1. Introduction

   • Matthew 5:14–16: The city on a hill metaphor

   • The concept of visibility, influence, and responsibility

   • Overview of the three city archetypes

2. The Traveler’s Journey

   • The weary traveler analogy

   • The crossroads with three roads leading to three cities

   • Each city representing a type of church

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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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