Have You Ever Noticed?

Have you ever noticed that when a church begins to become purposeful and biblical when it hadn't been in years, that some people begin to grumble and groan? Why is that? Have we gotten so use to how church is and forgotten about how church is supposed to be in its origin! I am sure that in 1940 when this particular church was established; they did not come together just to have a meeting place for bingo. It was not just a place for the click to gather to snub their noses at others. The church established itself to live out a purposeful and biblical existence; taking its ques from the church of Acts. The Holy Spirit in Acts fuel the fire that ignites the church with power and wisdom. Jesus called it, "My church" in Mathew 18:16. I Timothy 3 goes a step further in saying, "The church of the living God" (v.15). The origin of the church does not rest on the back of man, but rest on the back of God.

The Day of Pentecost, the day on which the Spirit of God came as a mighty wind and as tongues of fire, the day on which fearful, weak disciples found themselves with new power and wisdom, the day on which about three thousand others were baptized and received the gift of the Spirit. It was the birthday of the church"my church"before prepared by God the Father, founded by God the Son, and empowered by God the Holy Spirit.

The church then, in origin, is entirely of God. Man neither planned it, nor founded it, nor built it, however much man may and must be a part of it. The church is the church of the living God, the church of Jesus Christ, the church of the Holy Spirit. So why then do many feel "They OWN it!"

Until later than the first century there was not a single church building. The church was not a building: it was rather the ecclesia, the assembly, of those who had believed in Jesus Christ, had been baptized in His name, and had received the Holy Spirit. They went to the Jewish temple for prayer, they met in peoples homes for worship and breaking bread, and they shared their earthly possessions. Many signs and wonders were done in Jesus name. They were a company united in praise, study, fellowship, and service.

Thus when Acts says "great fear came upon the whole church," the reference is to the believing, baptized, Spirit-receiving company of people. They were those who had called on the Lord and were "being saved" (Acts 2:47). They were people who had received new life, and in the excitement and wonder of it were witnessing to everyone of what Christ had done for them and how He could do it for all who would likewise believe in His name.

That is purposeful and biblical in a nutshell! Or can I say, "Biblically Purposeful!" :-)

One more remark about the church and a building. Nothing said has been intended to disparage church buildings. If nothing else, a building is a necessity for shelter in Christian worship and fellowship. The early Christians for all their lack of distinct buildings did meet in the temple and homes; they were not without the use of buildings. But the point here is that, building or no, the church is still wherever there is a coming together of Christians.

Therefore, let the Holy Spirit move in a mighty way and either get with the program or excuse yourself from it. You are accountable for those that you hinder in finding Christ and one day will answer for what you did or did not do; and that is the short of it. Christian's get it wrong so often, we forget what it means to get it correct. Let us not allow this to continue to happen in churches across our nation. Just my thoughts for the day...

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