What is the Church?

What would you say?  Where do you get your information?  The Bible says many interesting things about The Church.  It’s not a building or a man-made organization. It’s more than a group offering community programs, helping us connect with friends & Earn Points with God!”

                The Church is God’s idea. It started when He sent Jesus into the world to reveal what God was really like. Jesus lived a perfect life, died a cruel death, and then rose again on the third day!  But it doesn’t end there!  He spent the next 40 days appearing throughout Israel. Then He ascended into Heaven, but told His disciples to wait in the city of Jerusalem for the arrival of His Holy Spirit.

                Ten Days later (The Day of Pentecost), God sent His Spirit upon the Disciples. The world was never the same!  That day, Peter preached the first Christian sermon and 3,000 people surrendered their lives to Jesus!  But how do you train that many new converts to follow Him?

                The Disciples saw they had a problem. They needed wisdom from God about what to do! The Lord showed them to gather together every day for Receiving Teaching, Building Deep Friendships, Celebrating The Lord’s Supper, and Sharing with God what was on their hearts (Acts 2:42: “The Apostle’s Doctrine, Fellowship, Breaking Bread & Prayer”). These simple actions changed them and everyone around them! They donated their money and possessions to distribute to people in the group with genuine needs.  It impacted the whole city of Jerusalem!  Many joined them daily to learn how to follow Jesus.

AND THAT WAS HOW THE CHURCH BEGAN!

                Throughout the First Century, letters were written by men like Peter, Paul, James and John to gatherings of people in the Middle East, Italy, Greece, and Asia. They called these groups “Churches.” These letters gave instructions about living out this New Faith called Christianity. It was spreading around the known world like wildfire!  Its influence continues to grow to this day! In fact, Christianity is currently the largest religion in the world!

                The Church today has many denominations and various traditions. But all Christians share a common belief in Jesus Christ as God in Human Flesh and our only hope of Salvation. It is a Universal Body, extending back in time to all who put their faith in God.  This includes the Old Testament Saints, who lived before Jesus came to earth but who were anticipating His arrival someday as Messiah! 

                Because God gives Eternal Life, the Church is made up of all who died in faith (now living and waiting for us in Heaven). This includes people from every nation of the world who believe in Jesus!  All Believers are part of His Universal Church, but we’re also encouraged to become part of a Local Church. There we join with others in our community who believe in Jesus.

                The Bible describes the Church as a Family, a Bride and a Body.  These are relational terms that show how much we need each other. It is also an Embassy (an outpost of peace in a strange land), an Army (because we are in a battle!) a Hospital (because people get wounded!) and a Temple (because we need a quiet shelter away from the world to Worship).  The Church is a Flock of Sheep (easily led astray and confused, who need a Great Shepherd like Jesus); a Vineyard (because God wants our lives to be fruitful) and The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, (because we live in a world longing for The Truth, which Jesus is!).

                The Church is an incredible Creation of God! He established it because we all need a safe place where we can learn to live the Christian Life.   Those who love Jesus are given a Mission! We must share the Good News of God’s Love with a desperate world that needs to know they matter!

                If you are currently involved in a Church, wonderful!  Draw Close to God there! Actively participate in your local congregation.  But if you’re not connected, it’s time to take another look at what the Church REALLY IS. You are missing out on something that will bring you hope, purpose and eternal life!   I’m preaching a series this Summer to help you Discover God’s Church! It’s not a perfect place, because it’s made up of imperfect people like you and me! But it is God’s Plan A, B and C for making this world better! 

See you at Church this Sunday!

One Picture of God's Church!