Don’t Go to Church …?
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:29-33
First, let’s start with what the church isn’t.
It isn’t a building.
First century churches did not have a specific building. They usually met in a house. Even today many churches do not have buildings. According to the Global Church typical rural churches in Uganda meet under a shade tree. Focus on the Family states, “Church structures facilitate the role of God’s people, but they do not fulfill it.”
It isn’t a sermon or a song.
Songs help us worship and glorify God. Sermons enable us to gain wisdom and understanding which leads to transformation. While these things are beneficial and beautiful, they are not the church.
It isn’t potlucks and programs.
Wholesome alternatives to the lure of the world, these activities are fun and entertaining, but they are not the church. Fellowship is fun, but events don’t transform the culture.
What it is.
The church: in the original Greek, ekklesia, which means to call, to call out, to invite. The church is the invited, the called, the summoned. Sinners saved to be the body of Christ. Not bricks but bodies.
The Body.
Hands working. Hearts loving. Feet walking. Souls giving.
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that WHOEVER believes in Him shall have eternal life.”
All are invited. All are called, chosen, needed.
So don’t go to church, go BE the church, go be the invitation. Go be the call. Live your life, and use your gifts in such a way you make it easy for others to want to be a part of Gods family, the body of Christ. The church.
Go be the church.
How do you “go be the church”? Leave me a comment below. I’d love to chat with you!
all rights reserved.
copyright 2016
