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.

Struggles

I read a facebook post early this morning someone shared that "God does not owe us a happy ending". Everyone is looking for a happy ending; however, for some it seems to elude us. I know that I have struggled a lot in my lifetime and I have often wondered why I just can't get a break. Some of my struggles though are the results of my own making.

Years ago I flipped through the pages of my son's Bible reading scripture that he had highlighted. I smiled to myself when I came across one portion of a verse that said "Oh, why didn't I listen." Yes, I could really relate to that verse and I'm sure there are many who can as well. Whether it's the Word of God that we do not heed or the wise council that God has placed in our lives, sometime we just go our own way and refuse to be obedient.

There are other times when we face hardship or struggles that have nothing to do with our disobedience. Have you ever thought "it's not fair?" Life isn't fair. No, it isn't, for we are engaged in a battle against rulers, against powers, against world forces of darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness. We face an army of dark powers, however, we are not on our own and we know that we are promised victory.

One way to prepare as you go into battle is by praying Ephesians 6:10-17 before you start your day.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

I watched a television series once about the time of King Arthur. As Arthur would begin to lead his soldiers into battle, he would raise his sword into the air and cry out "for the love of Camelot!" I have always imagined starting my morning as I go into battle for the day, with the sword of the Spirit raised high in the air and with a shout "for the love of the LORD and His Kingdom!"

Remember our happy ending is not in this world but it is coming.

Proverbs 5:13
Ephesians 6:12
Romans 8

Merry Christmas

Christmas blessings in the name of my Lord and Savior, Messiah Jesus! As we celebrate His birth, may you know the grace, mercy, hope and peace of God and may you joyfully anticipate His return. Ruready?

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor, 
Mighty God, 
Eternal Father, 
Prince of Peace

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

On the throne of David and over his kingdom,

To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness

From then on and forevermore

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

And the rest of the story.......

Several rehearsals later the choir director asked for volunteers to give testimonies for the songs in the cantata. I never do solos or testimonies; that’s just not me. After returning home, though, I had this feeling as if the Lord wanted me to give a testimony, which of course I thought was crazy. I couldn’t think of any song that I could give a testimony on and besides all the songs had already been taken. Still I felt the Lord pressing me on this.

“So, okay Lord, I’ll tell you what. If this is really from you, if this is something you want me to do” I prayed, “have someone ask me to give a testimony for a specific song.”

And I figured that would be the end of it.

It wasn’t long after that when the choir was together again the director’s wife asked me if I would give the testimony for the song “In Everything Give Him Thanks.” I should have seen it coming but was completely caught off guard! How can this be? Again I was amazed. He actually answered my prayer in a way that I knew only came from Him!

I agreed to do the testimony. That in itself is amazing. I cannot stand or speak before people without every bone in my body shaking. In high school whenever I had to do an oral report the boys would take bets on how loud my knees would knock. I had an English teacher tell me once that I “should never, ever do anything in front of people!” In a college class my peers were extremely critical; however, the professor did show me some mercy. It wasn’t going to be easy. I had to stay focused on the fact that it was the Lord who wanted me to do it. He would calm my fears and hopefully stop my knees from knocking.

The evening before the cantata I had a nasty argument with someone. It was ugly. It added fuel to the flames of my increasing nerves about standing in front of people. I wanted to back out. I cried and begged God to let me out of this commitment. On the day of the cantata He did exactly what He intended. In my weakness I felt the power of His strength as I shared what He was doing in my life. (November 23, 2012)

He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Messiah may rest on me.

2 Cr. 12:9 (HNV)

In Everything Give Him Thanks

Towards the end of the rehearsal the choir director asked if anyone would like to share something about one of the songs we had been practicing for our cantata.  I offered to tell about something exciting that happened a few days earlier.

I woke up depressed, not wanting to go to church. I didn’t want to be around people. I just wanted to stay at home. And I would have except I taught a 3rd grade Sunday school class so I had an obligation to fulfill. My heart wasn’t in it but I got ready anyway and decided that I would go, teach the class, and then head home after it was over. I wasn’t going to stay for the worship service. As I was leaving for home after Sunday school I passed the room where the choir was getting ready for the service.  I had forgotten that we were singing. I didn’t feel like singing. I just wanted to go home.  But I was a member of the choir and I had an obligation to fulfill so I decided that I would stay to sing the special music with the choir then slip out the back after we finished. No way was I staying for the rest of the service. Then I realized we were singing “In Everything Give Him Thanks” by Lanny Wolfe. Of all songs why this one?

                In the good times praise His name

                In the bad times do the same

No way was I going to praise God’s name for the good or bad times. I just wanted to get it over with so I could go home and continue in my misery. Sometime, somehow during that song God took my sad, pathetic, ungrateful little heart and turned it into a happy, thankful heart that was praising Him. I was totally amazed! How did He do that?

                When trouble comes

                And there’s no one around
                Satan tries to tell me
                That God’s let me down
                Through ev’ry dark hour
                The best thing I’ve found
                Is to give God the thanks
                For He has never never
                Failed me yet
                So why should I start now
                To worry or fret
                In everything I won’t ever forget
                To give God the thanks

I stayed for the service.

                In the good times praise His name

                In the bad times do the same
                In everything give the King of Kings all the thanks

He’s never, never failed me, ever!  (November 21, 2012)

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Th. 5:18 (NASB)

The Road Not Taken

Reality smacked me the other day. It wasn't pleasant. Although not a surprise, as I knew it was inevitable, it was still a hard hit. Foolishly I thought I could avoid it. So here I was at the edge of the road I had taken realizing that I couldn't go any further.

There was no way across and I couldn't get down. Months before I had made a decision hoping that things would work out the way I intended. It was the right move; I am sure of that. Facing the vast expanse before me I looked for a different way. There it was; another path. I didn't particularly care for it as this direction would require me to unload a few things that I had accumulated. Things of no importance in the end but nonetheless had been acquired through dreams and hard work of life's travels. As is my custom I immediately began making plans; realizing it would be easier, although still difficult, with the lighter load. Unbelievably, in the mist of all this another path became visible.

It too was one of difficulties. Whereas the first path required loss right from the start the other one's loss would take place further down the road. Both seemed impossible. But much like Ann Kiemel I love the word "impossible"! When things are impossible I know that I will have opportunities to see God at work in my life. That doesn't mean it's going to be easy or go smoothly. I will still have branches in my way, debris on the trail, boulders to climb and some rain along the way. For some strange reason I have always appreciated the storm. Perhaps because I know after the rain will be growth.

Which path will I take? I'm not sure and to be honest I don't believe it really makes a difference. All I know is as I meet others on this journey I want to give them shelter from the storm. And it's not my shelter that I want to offer for that would only be a 'lean-to' but the shelter I want for others has a sure foundation that is strong and will give them hope during the storm. (November 9, 2012)

The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house, and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock. Matthew 7:25 (HNV)

Who Are You?

Recently I was reading a book that mentioned how the Lord God is named by His character qualities.[i] Below are the names of God in the Bible. Some are mentioned many times (Yahweh occurs 6,519 times) and others less or not that often or only once.[ii]

     El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)

     El Elyon (The Most High God)

     Adonai (Lord, Master)

     Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)

     Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)

     Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)

     Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)

     Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)

     Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)

     Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)

     El Olam (The Everlasting God)

     Elohim (God)

     Qanna (Jealous)

     Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)

     Jehovah Shalom (The Lord is Peace)

    Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)

Each of God's names tell us about Him, about his personality, about who He is. In Kyle Idleman's book he asked a question which made me smile and cringe at the same time.  "Wouldn't it be interesting if people were not only called by their given names but also by their most dominant personality traits?" I couldn't help but think of a name that my father often called my mother....the great manipulator. That name was not too flattering but we could not deny that mom was always manipulating things to her advantage even if it was for a good reason. What would your name be if you were to be called by your most dominant personality trait? Would it be a name that honored God?

---

[i] Gods at War by Kyle Idleman

[ii] Blue Letter Bible