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There are some basic questions that need answering before we move forward:
1 – Who is in the church? –
2 – What is the church for? –
3 – When does the church gather? –
4 – Where is the church located? –
5 – Why do I need the church? –
I will do my best to answer these questions. Okay, chicas – shall we begin?
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First of all – Who is in the church?
To state it simply, the church is the “called out”, universal group of those who have turned from their sin and obeyed the gospel by being immersed in water baptism.
“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added about three thousand souls” – Acts 2:40-41
Now we should realize that the church is not built of any ONE individual, but the entire body of local followers of Christ:
“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part…” Ephesians 4:16a
Notice these phrases in particular: “the whole body”, “every joint”, “every part”…. Let’s be reasonable…a body is not a body at all if it is only one part!
“For the body is not one member, but many” 1 Corinthians 12:14
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What is the church for?
The church has many, many purposes, but for the sake of this particular topic, I will narrow it to this one purpose for now: The church is for the building up of brethren.
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” Ephesians 4:13
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When does the church gather?
On the first day of every week, as we are taught by the example of Jesus’ disciples & eyewitnesses of His ressurection.
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them….” Acts 20:7a
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store….” 1 Corinthians 16:1-2a
In addition, we are to meet with the saints on any other day that the eldership sees fit, (Wednesday evening bible studies, for example) – for we are to be in subjection to our congregational leaders!
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17
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Where is the church located?
Why, wherever you are of course! You, plus ALL saints in your local area –
“The Church of Ephesus”…”The Church in Smyrna”…..”The Church in Pergamos”….”The Church in Thyatira”…”The Church in Sardis”…”The Church in Philadelphia”…”The Church of the Laodiceans”……. (taken from Revelation 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14)
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Why do I need the church?
Friends, we need the church because we need Jesus . The church is the body of Christ! If we reject His body, His church…we reject Him!
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers….” 1 Corinthians 12:27-28a
God has set us in the church…and it is His will that we remain linked to our brethren! Every congregation has its faults, but that is never an excuse to forsake our brothers and sisters! Jesus Himself is not ashamed to be linked to the local body:
“For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren” Hebrews 2:11
Would we consider ourselves better than our Messiah by kissing the church goodbye, when He in all His holiness will not? God forbid it!
“Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints.” Hebrews 13:24a
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Ladies, there are many in this modern day who believe that “organized religion” (as they condescendingly call it) – is unnecessary. There are many who mock us “church go-ers”, claiming that they can have what we have in the convenience of their own home. I have to heartily disagree. I have heard some go as far to say that “the only verse about church attendance is Hebrews 10:25 (“forsake not the assembling of yourselves together…”)….that’s all the whole bible says about the matter!” Now friends, even if that were the only verse, think about it – how many times does God have to say something before we will obey Him? Once should be more than sufficient. Besides that, stating that Hebrews 10:25 is the only verse on the subject is simply not true! All one must do is crack open their bible to find MANY verses on the subject of being linked to the church. But- we must be seeking the truth or we will miss it completely.
“Nevertheless when it [the heart] shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away” 2 Corinthians 3:16
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Ultimately it all comes down to our “heart” – our attitude. Let’s be honest: do we love the Lord or don’t we? Because if we love Him, aren’t we going to want to get as close to Him as humanly possible? Consider some of the words of David,” a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22):
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1
“I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.” Psalm 42:4b
“Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.” Psalm 26:8
“My soul longeth, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.” Psalm 84:2
“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10
“I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.” Psalm 40:10b
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Sisters, I am fully persuaded that if we desire fellowship with God, we must continue in faithful fellowship with His body. Whatever is keeping you from your local assembly – a disagreement with someone, different priorities during assembly, whatever the case may be – we must find a way to make things right. It’s not too late to put your best foot forward and turn back to the church. Do it. You need us, and we need you.
“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” 1 John 3:14
“When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.” Psalm 75:2
God bless, and take a chill pill!
Mrs. Dustin Bolks
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