November 18, 2021January 5, 2024

Let’s Talk About Church

by in From The Desk of Pastor Gene
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Let’s Talk About Church

It is a privilege and blessing to say that I’ve been engaged in church life since 1980. I must say, “to God be the glory.” However, during these years I’ve heard numerous negative statements on the subject of church. The following is my list of the top 7: I don’t need to go to church to love Jesus I don’t need to attend church to be a Christian I don’t like church because it’s full of hypocrites Sunday is my only day off so I need that time for me and my family Church takes too much time away from family I don’t go to church because they always ask for money I avoid church because they always ask me to serve Do you have additional statements to add to my list? Do you see anything wrong with these statements? Do you detect an attitude? Do you notice any particular focus? I wonder if the people who actually make these claims know the definition, purpose and function of the church. If you are a person who regularly uses one of the negative statements about church as listed above or you hear someone making one of these statements, consider or share the following:
 
The word church means people called out by Jesus (called out ones). Jesus is the head (Ephesians 5:23) and chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20) of the church. The church is referred to as the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27) and the bride of Christ (2 Cor 11:2). The church is directed to meet together regularly (Hebrews 10:24-25) and serve one another through the ministries of worship, discipleship, fellowship, outreach, service and prayer. Each member is uniquely gifted by God to serve in building up (Ephesians 4:12) the church. The church has leadership anointed by God to lead, train and equip (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Ephesians 4:11-12). The specific mission of the church is to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).
 
If you are a Christian, you are the church along with all other Christians to include a specific local family of believers in Christ. Although the primary gathering of the church may revolve around Sunday in worship of Jesus and celebration of His resurrection, the church functions as a people in relationship with Jesus and one another throughout the week. Besides, the relationships and ministry of the church are not constrained by time or location.
 
What else do we need to consider when discussing the biblical church?
 
Church is conceived by Jesus and He promised to build His church upon Peter’s confession.
 
MT 16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
 
The church meets together for accountability and encouragement.
 
HE 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
 
The church is a family with deep relational roots. There is an obvious oneness and unity.
 
RO 12:5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
 
EPH 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
 
Based on what can be learned about church in the Bible, I have the following positive statements about church: Christians are the church, so be the church. Christians worship Jesus individually and collectively. Worshipping Jesus is a lifestyle. You are the church and the church loves one another. The Sabbath belongs to Jesus. Be the church and serve the church as a family. Do it together as a integral part of your lifestyle. It is a blessing to give generously to support the work of the church. Lay your treasures up in heaven. Serve the church, body of Christ, as you are gifted by the Holy Spirit. I hope you see the church from a biblical worldview and consider your role and engagement with the church as a privilege and blessing. Let’s join together and help others see the church from Jesus’ perspective.

A Work in Progress,

Pastor Gene