The church

September 25, 2019 by Bill Leave a Comment

As I was driving to church last week, I started getting “thoughts and ideas” about the Church and what it is. It ended up being an idea of “the church” being four levels or stages. Let’s consider these.

In the Bible, the word “church” has been used in many ways but is not understood to be referring to a building but a “body of believers”. The Greek word kuriakon, meaning “people that belong to the Lord”, is where our English word “church” is derived. And the apostle Paul speaks of the “Church” as being the, “body of believers”, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27). So, we are the Church.

The first level I thought of was one person, who is “the Church”, going into the church building and joining other people. My thought was, “What difference does that one person make by themselves in this environment?” If they’re the only one to be the Church in the church, what good is it? If they’re the only one doing their part in “the Church”, what difference will it make?

Level two is when this one person who is “the Church” joins with others who are “the Church” and they contribute their part in the assembly or the church, what can happen then? “When two or three are gathered in My name, I am in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20). And when God is in the middle of His people, “the Church”, miracles can happen among them. Inside the church building, when God’s people join together as “the Church”, needs of all kinds can be met.

So, what can happen if “the Church” then goes outside “the church” with the power of God flowing from them? Do they just leave the power of “the Church” in the church? Level three is when, “the Church”, does what Jesus commanded the disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). “The Church” goes outside “the church” and interacts with the people spreading the love and power of God to all.

The last level is when “the Church” joins with other “Churches” who have exited “their church” buildings and go into all the world together, in one accord, (Acts 2:1) with the Spirit of God spreading the Good News to the world as Peter and the 120 at Pentecost. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14).

We ARE the Church, individually and corporately!

Big Baby!

July 23, 2011 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given July 23, 2011

When we hear this term we usually take it as a negative thing unless you’re talking about a 12 pound baby at birth. Now that’s a big baby! But as we get older, to be called a baby is a cut. What if we saw a mother carrying her 12 year old child into church? Ridiculous right? What if it was because she had carried him everywhere he needed to go because she didn’t want him to fall down? He never learned to walk! As we know, a baby must fall down some while learning to walk but they get back up and try it again. We fall down, we get up. We fall down, we get up, and we learn to walk. How does that compare with our Christian walk? “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

What if you went to visit a first grade classroom and there in the first row was a 40 year old man all scrunched up in that little desk? Ridiculous right? He had not progressed in school because he had not followed the teacher’s instructions, had not read his books, had not studied, nor done his assignments. He had not practiced anything he’d learned either. So there he sits in the classroom and the church pew, never progressing to the next level because he was content to just come and sit. What a shame. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,” (2 Timothy 2:15).

These examples are extreme cases and would never happen in society but they do happen in the church. But it’s not too late! God, our Father, is right there beside us saying, “Come on now get up and try it again. I’ll help you.” Jesus, our teacher is saying, “Students, here’s your text book, (Bible), read it and follow my example.” “Do your homework and if you need any help, I’ve sent my assistant, (Holy Spirit) to guide you.” “Learn the material, put it into practice and you will be promoted.” Today, you are encouraged to step out and walk¸ trot, then run. You are encouraged to do the work and try for that promotion. That’s the plan of the Master and it makes Him happy.

Part Of The Team

January 10, 2009 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given December 30, 2008

Picture this: A football player that has heard the play, knows what his assignment is, goes to the scrimmage line, and just stands there. Then, after the play, asks, “Hey, why’d we lose 5 yards?” Or this: A basketball player whose team is playing man-to-man defense stands near the sideline and watches the opposing player he’s supposed to be guarding go straight to the basket and score. And what about this: The batter in baseball hits the ball between second and third while the shortstop, who’s standing right there, is talking on his cell phone.

Now, if you are not familar with sports, these examples may not mean much to you. So imagine this: A regular church-goer sits in the pew week after week and wonders why his church is not growing, half the congregation is sick, and the deacons are at odds with the pastor. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12. A team is a unit, a family is a unit, a church is a unit, the body of Christ is a unit. Are you getting the picture?

We are all in this together. Whether you know it or not, you are a part of a team. No one is in it by themselves. For the team to be successful, every player must do his or her job. For the church to be what God intended it to be in the earth, every born-again member must do their part. Sadly, too many church-goers are just that; all they do is go to church then wonder why the world is in such a bad shape. Think about the “teams” you’re on…are you an integral part of them? God wants you to be.

The Church

Big Baby!

Part Of The Team

Thanks for reading

Recent Posts

Thanks for reading

Recent Posts

Tags