October 4, 2015 NON-OPTIONAL
Ephesians 4:15-16: “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. We cannot escape, nor should we ignore fact that God has ordained His church to be the primary source of our spiritual growth and health. I’m sure we have all had some not-so-good experiences in “church”; but that is really beside the point and it is not a valid reason not to be an active part of His church. The scriptures describe the church as His body, with Jesus being the head and each member having being placed in the body. The truth that we must realize is that the members of His body, the church, have been “fitted together” and they are “held together by that which every joint supplies” by “the proper working of each individual part” resulting in “the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” We need to see ourselves as being knitted together with other members of the body just as Paul instructs. If we fail to see that we are knitted together, and if we fail to see that each member is dependent on the other, not only will we not grow and be in good spiritual health, we will rob others of the part that we should be supplying to the body. The idea of being knitted together, or being dependent on others for anything, is not the way of our culture. Sad to say, but attending and being an active part of a church is something that some believers do when it is convenient to do so, or when they “feel” like it, or when nothing better comes along. We need to see our being engaged in the church- His body- as essential to our well- being and to the well-being of the church. God has given each believer certain spiritual gifts that are to be used in the building up of the church and when a believer is absence, the body lacks. The point of each believer needing to be active in a local expression of the body of Christ is not legalistic, but it is just the design of the church-where everyone is needed. Due to the not-so-good experiences mentioned above, some have a wrong understanding or wrong conception of the church. Also, it is true that in our culture, there are “churches” out there that are not true New Testament churches where the gospel of the kingdom of God is being proclaimed; and it is also true that there are or some who attend “church” that do not know the Lord. And, even among the churches that are New Testament, there are none that are perfect. So, with these things being true, what are we to do? First, as individuals, we are to be reading and understanding the word of God in order to gain an understanding of the church as He designed it. We need to look for opportunities to engage in conversation with others about how God designed the church. Second, we need to understand that we have been made new, and then walk in newness. Because of our new nature, we have the ability to deal with the imperfections we may see or experience in the “church” and we have the ability to express His kingdom in all situations. Next, when the opportunity arises, we must exercise the gift that God has given us, and we also must receive the gifts expressed by others. Finally, commit to being a part of the solution to the “imperfect” church. We have the opportunity to be light, and to be one who brings life and encouragement when we meet together. It’s not that we have to be at church “every time the doors open”, but we get to bless others and we get to be blessed every time we meet with the body. When we understand church-we want to be there! Who does not want what the church offers? What other activity is more fulfilling than church? We can’t experience church via television. God has called real people to be a part of the real church where each one has a vital part. Jesus gave His life for the body of Christ-the church-and God has chosen the church to demonstrate His kingdom. It would be a huge mistake for any believer to take the church of the living God lightly.
Hebrews 10:24-25: “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.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Ephesians 4:15-16: “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. We cannot escape, nor should we ignore fact that God has ordained His church to be the primary source of our spiritual growth and health. I’m sure we have all had some not-so-good experiences in “church”; but that is really beside the point and it is not a valid reason not to be an active part of His church. The scriptures describe the church as His body, with Jesus being the head and each member having being placed in the body. The truth that we must realize is that the members of His body, the church, have been “fitted together” and they are “held together by that which every joint supplies” by “the proper working of each individual part” resulting in “the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” We need to see ourselves as being knitted together with other members of the body just as Paul instructs. If we fail to see that we are knitted together, and if we fail to see that each member is dependent on the other, not only will we not grow and be in good spiritual health, we will rob others of the part that we should be supplying to the body. The idea of being knitted together, or being dependent on others for anything, is not the way of our culture. Sad to say, but attending and being an active part of a church is something that some believers do when it is convenient to do so, or when they “feel” like it, or when nothing better comes along. We need to see our being engaged in the church- His body- as essential to our well- being and to the well-being of the church. God has given each believer certain spiritual gifts that are to be used in the building up of the church and when a believer is absence, the body lacks. The point of each believer needing to be active in a local expression of the body of Christ is not legalistic, but it is just the design of the church-where everyone is needed. Due to the not-so-good experiences mentioned above, some have a wrong understanding or wrong conception of the church. Also, it is true that in our culture, there are “churches” out there that are not true New Testament churches where the gospel of the kingdom of God is being proclaimed; and it is also true that there are or some who attend “church” that do not know the Lord. And, even among the churches that are New Testament, there are none that are perfect. So, with these things being true, what are we to do? First, as individuals, we are to be reading and understanding the word of God in order to gain an understanding of the church as He designed it. We need to look for opportunities to engage in conversation with others about how God designed the church. Second, we need to understand that we have been made new, and then walk in newness. Because of our new nature, we have the ability to deal with the imperfections we may see or experience in the “church” and we have the ability to express His kingdom in all situations. Next, when the opportunity arises, we must exercise the gift that God has given us, and we also must receive the gifts expressed by others. Finally, commit to being a part of the solution to the “imperfect” church. We have the opportunity to be light, and to be one who brings life and encouragement when we meet together. It’s not that we have to be at church “every time the doors open”, but we get to bless others and we get to be blessed every time we meet with the body. When we understand church-we want to be there! Who does not want what the church offers? What other activity is more fulfilling than church? We can’t experience church via television. God has called real people to be a part of the real church where each one has a vital part. Jesus gave His life for the body of Christ-the church-and God has chosen the church to demonstrate His kingdom. It would be a huge mistake for any believer to take the church of the living God lightly.
Hebrews 10:24-25: “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.”
Blessings,
Buddy
RSS Feed