[Translation: Spanish]
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to join a perfect church with a perfect pastor?
But first ask this question: Are we perfect? So what happens when the imperfect us join that perfect church? It will become imperfect and so the search for that perfect church will alas then continue.
In reality, none of us come to church because we are perfect nor because our church or the Pastor is perfect. We come to church to encounter a perfect God who is ever merciful and loving.
Many people understand church as a building. But what is the biblical view of church?
Church is a living organism that pursues the right choices to keep the Body of Christ healthy.
So what makes a church healthy?
A healthy church is a united church. We are in a culture where everyone is expected to be independent to be competent. Be aware: An independent spirit is not of God. In nature, an independent animal who wanders away from its herd becomes prey for the stalking predator. Whether gazelle to leopard, or bullies to victims, safety exists in community. People who pretend they don’t need anyone will efficient themselves to extinction.
The Bible calls for unity and love to dominate the experience of life in church. Just as we need Jesus, so too, we also need our brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet in a culture that mocks the weak, the vulnerable, it requires courage, honesty and humility to confess that we have need. As believers grow united with each other, churches grow healthier. Together, we are always stronger!
A healthy church is a praying church. Passionate Christians who pray can change the world. Don’t be a passive Christian. Be passionate about praying at least for an hour every day. Why? A church that prays is a church on fire for the Holy Spirit. Demons are not afraid of a church that sing and dance but ignore the prayer closet. [tweet this] Demons are afraid of a praying church on fire for God. Our enemy satan is very afraid of those who draw close daily to encounter God in the furnace of prayer. [tweet this]
A healthy church grows deeper through discipleship. Church is not meant for entertainment. We are not coming to church to have fun. We gather at church to grow deeper in the things of God. As growth comes, then we are sent out in ministries to do what God asks us to do for His kingdom. Church is the cradle where disciples are made and then sent to the nations. In those nations, the cycle of the Great Commission continues, as disciples make disciples, that many shall come to the Light in the mighty Name of Jesus!
A healthy church grows broader through serving. Church is not the shopping mall, the buffet restaurant or the latest spa. We do not come to church as consumers, feeling entitled to leaders’ time and attention. As Christians, we come to church with a servant heart, to serve in any capacity, for as we serve others, we serve King Jesus!
It is important that church, as a healthy living organism, grows deeper and broader through service, prayer, discipleship and unity. Yet the bigger question still lingers: Why church? Why can’t we simply gather with friends and a few other like-minded people and leave Sundays for another purpose? Why does it matter?
Why Church?
Church exists for the pleasure of Jesus. Though we may presume that our church exists to serve us, the believers, we may not be entirely correct.
Church does not exist to make us happy. Church exists for the King of Kings. [tweet this]
We must not go to church for the pastors or for the benefits. We join together together to worship for the pleasure of Jesus. May all our churches be a Jesus-centered, Jesus worshipping, Jesus-focused church!
Church exists to prepare you. Church is here to teach you that you’re perfectly handcrafted by God. Church builds you up in Christ, encourages you and increases your confidence in Christ. Church is a place where God will test your character, where your judgmental mind, hidden sin and dirt will be exposed.
Church exists to prepare you to face you. Though many people keep blaming the enemy for their problems, our biggest problem is not the enemy, it is us. We have authority over Satan through Christ, but what our greatest need is to grow in authority over ourselves, in our arrogance, our sin and our pride.
Church is here to correct you. This aspect is the part most people don’t like. Yet without Godly correction, believers tend to be deceived, divided, and distracted by the world. At church, believers are lovingly corrected without driving them away. To tell the truth, there is no place to run away and hide from correction. You have to stay firm through the dying-to–self process and become more like Jesus.
Church exists to build each other up. The Bible says in Hebrew 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”.
What is the weight of life that wears you out today? Is it a bill? Are you worried about your children?
There’s a scary verse in the Bible, “If you cherish sin in your heart, God cannot listen to your prayer.” [Psalm 66:18]. Sin brings shame and removes faith. And without faith it is impossible to please God. [tweet this] Shame takes you away from the joy of loving Jesus and thereby hinders you from finding results.
Even if you don’t remember any of my above post, please remember this: “It is better to be fallen under the feet of Jesus than to be down trodden under the feet of Satan because of sin.” When you are under the feet of satan, he will trample you, but when you are under the feet of Jesus, He will lift you up [tweet this] and walk you into your destiny.
Delight yourself in the things of God. Cherish God instead of sin and He will give you the desires of your heart. And go find an imperfect church with imperfect believers to discover the grace of our ever perfect God!
May this be your prayer today: LORD I want to walk in Your love. No one can love you more than Jesus! Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long [Psalm 25:4]
Here are some images you can use on your social media
