Yet, what if this church did not have that great of worship of songs? Songs were bleak or maybe the singer cannot really sing. What is the next step?
Maybe go to another church.
Attend, say prayers, sing catchy songs in worship, listen to the pastor. Leave.
The worship at this church rocked! But the preaching was so-so... Next step, find another church.
I have been in this situation before, I look for my needs, what suits me and what I think is the biblical solid church. But is the church?
In Ephesians 1:22-23, Paul states, "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." Christ, is the head of the body of believers, which is the universal Church!
There is also the local church described in Galatians 1:1-2, "Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), and all the brethren that are with me, unto the churches of Galatia" Here Paul is writing to multiple churches in Galatia, thus we see the the local church is made up of believers in Christ Jesus (who are part of the universal church) all in a certain location.
Believers in the universal Church should be seeking out fellowship and edification in the local church but what is the central purpose? In Philippians 1:18 Paul states, "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice." Paul finishes his thoughts by saying that no matter the way, he is rejoicing in the fact that the Gospel is preached!
So our goal, as Paul states, is preaching and fighting for the Gospel! But unfortunately the
church, over the many years, has become more of a broker of spiritual gifts and service and less of a spiritual family fighting together for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We look more for what we can get out of a church. We feel as if our personal needs of getting fed spiritually from the church is greater than the family of believers fighting for the Gospel!
Remember, something I still forget, our spiritual food doesn't come from the preacher but from the Word of God.
But change starts on an individual level. We need to be creating stronger and more focused disciples of Jesus Christ. Maybe we can think of lessening the bar for how church is run and heightening the bar of discipleship making, this would create a phenomenal family of believers fighting for the Gospel (church).
It starts with me, it starts with you. One by one. Fighting for the Gospel, like marriage, through sickness and health, through bad singing and boring preaching. One by one, in battle with the unseen world we will fight for the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Praise be to God.
Wow, really good Trav! Where did this topic even pop up in your heart? Anyway... I appreciated it! And I still think you will make a great preacher someday; whether it be in a foreign country doing business, or in a church. :) Proud of you!
ReplyDelete-Meg
Great points Travis! You’ve described the problem that many congregations are occupied with today… they are too focused on the vanity and material aspects of the physical church, their ministries, and missions, rather focusing on the real purpose of the church.
ReplyDeleteIn Mathew 16:18, Jesus tells Peter… “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Jesus is not talking about a physical church…for what good is a physical church, a structure...that can crumble and be destroyed? What good will a physical church do to provide protection from Satan? No, Jesus is describing the building of a church body of believers, disciples, of which the gates of Hades shall have no power against. Disciples, true believers, who rely and trust in the power of God to shield us! (Genesis 15:1) It is our responsibility and calling, therefore, to build the church body…a universal church body of believers; “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mathew 28:19).
Too often, our response to this “calling” is to create ministries or missions to grow believers and foster discipleship…and in our eagerness to achieve our goal, we become fully engrossed and focused on the ministry or mission itself…and loose sight of the real purpose for the church to exist. Your ministry and/or mission can NOT be your purpose or passion, but rather, your passion should be to rejoice in your salvation…“rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). This “Good News” (The Gospel) is what the church needs to focus on.
Of course we should have ministries, and yes we should engage in missions and leverage these “bridges” to share the gospel with unbelievers…but the church should not boast… and always keep the focus on worshiping God the Father…and share the GOOD NEWS! (Ephesians 2:8–9)
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