How Do People See You As The Church?

How do people see your church? Most people think of the church as the building but I'm not asking about the building. The first century church had no building. It was over 300 years before what we know as "church buildings." Prior to that time people gathered together in homes, meeting for fellowship, ministry, and worship.

In Greek "church" means called out ones, a congregation, an assembly of people. The church is a group of people holy, set apart from the world, a body of believers with a purpose, a mission. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the church, the prophets and apostles is the foundation. 

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone. Eph. 2:19-20

Christ is the head of the church.

And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Eph 1:22-23.

By Christ's authority the church was commissioned.

But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matt. 28:16-20

The church is called to assemble.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Heb. 10:23-25

The church has two ordinances; baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying. "Be saved from this perverse generation!" Acts 2:37-40

The church has received gifts.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 1 Cor. 12:4-11

As the church we are to do the following.

• Worship: Our worship is to be God-centered, Christ-centered. We are to praise and glorify God in worship.
• Edification: We are to edify believers, nurture them, build them up, help them to mature in Christ.
• Evangelism: We are to reach out to the lost; we should be able to defend our faith, express compassion, mercy, to love others and to share the message of Christ.
• Bible Study: Jesus knew scripture and memorized it. So we should too.
• Praying for One Another: Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16
• Acts of Hospitality: contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Rom. 12:13

The following came from "My Booky Wook" by Russell Brand.

"Over the road there was a church: a modern gray building, which constantly played a recording of church bells. Strange it was, why no proper bells? I never went in but I bet it was a robot church for androids, where the bible was in binary and their Jesus had laser eyes and metal claws." 

So my two closing question to you is......

1. How do people see you as the church?
2. How do you see your church?  

If you want to know more about the church and 

how you should be as the church, read the book of Ephesians.