Theme of the Week: Why Church?
Bible Verse: His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold witness of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 3:10
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
Ephesians 3:10 is an astounding verse to me. The NIV Study Bible notes puts the wonder this way:
“It is a staggering thought that the church on earth is observed, so to speak, by these spiritual forces and that to the degree that the church is spiritually unified it portrays to them the wisdom of God.”
The church is the witness to the physical world and to the spiritual world.
What is our witness?
Unity. Community. Love. Fellowship. Compassion. Humility. Compromise. Reconciliation.
These are all things that cannot be done in isolation.
Jesus said that people will know we are Christians by our love (John 13:35).
God has chosen the church to be His representative to the world and to the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. If we are Christ-followers, we need to be a part of the church. We need to be part of expressing the manifold wisdom of God.
I know that the church can be screwed up at times (just look at the church in Corinth, see especially 1 Corinthians 11); it can be better at some things than others. The church can hurt people and get away from the character and person of Jesus Christ.
But it is still God’s emissary to the world.
Jesus said that He would build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
Jesus bought the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28).
And in some mysterious way, the church is Christ’s body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:21-23).
Because of that, whether we totally understand it or not, whether we like it or not, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, we must be connected to and involved with our local churches. We must lead and teach and serve. We must give and mentor and be mentored. We must witness and pray and love.
Brothers, you need the church, and the church needs you.
Prayer: Jesus, I know I need the church, and I know the church needs me. But sometimes I don’t want the church. It’s not perfect, and neither am I. But we are all followers of you. Help me to see what we have in common as more powerful and more important than the differences or shortcomings.
Reflection: Are you committed to your church? How? What are you doing to show that you value the church and what it means to your spiritual life?
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