Church
Businesses work to become as large as they can. Churches are not to operate like businesses. A church should only grow as large as the Lord wills it to grow. Be obedient to the purpose, direction, and even size He calls your church to become, not what you desire because of ego (pride of life).
John 2:13-17 – And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
Jesus drove out the money-changers and those in the temple selling oxen, sheep, and doves. Even though much of their merchandise for the purchase of providing offerings for the temple unto God, it dishonored the purchase the temple was meant to accomplish as a house of prayer.
Many churches today have coffee shops, book stores, and other stores within their building. Though there may be good intentions for providing convenience services, ministry products to the congregation, or establishing other revenue streams, these intentions cannot be placed above our Father’s honor and glory.
February 25, 2014
I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning
Church Art,Worship Backgrounds
1 Corinthians 12:13-14 – For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
1. One God…many denominations. Across the landscape of Christendom, there are hundreds, if not thousands of separate denominations and churches. Some are separated due to personal convictions or callings to specific locations and people groups, but many are due to varying doctrinal beliefs and earthly traditions. Sadly, these differences have created great schisms in the body of Christ.
Acts 6:1-7 – And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The Grecian widows were being neglected in the daily ministration. They had a need that wasn’t being met, so they addressed it. When the murmuring of the Grecian widows came to the attention of the twelve, the called the multitude of disciples unto them to discuss the matter further.
As we continue to read, we will discover that as the Grecian widows had a need, so did the twelve apostles.
Ephesians 4:1-6 – I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
For many children, going to the local ice cream shop is exciting. The ice cream shop has several flavors (even 31) to choose from: Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, Gold Medal Ribbon, Mint, Cookies and Cream, Old Fashioned Pecan, etc. The children rush into the store with their favorite flavor on their mind. Sometimes if there’s a new flavor, they may ask for a sample taste to see if they like it. If they like it, they want more of it on a cone or a cup. They may want a waffle cone instead or a sugar cone…maybe have it in a milkshake or part of a sundae. As each child selects something different, they don’t fight to ensure each of them have the same flavor and type (i.e. cone, shake). Each child is free to eat their flavor and when they leave, they each enjoy their flavor of ice cream together.
Many churches around the world receive new visitors. It is important that we emphasize, support, and acknowledge visitors on each visit. We should go out of our way to allow them to feel comfortable, loved, and prepared to worship the Lord. Sadly however, many churches (and members) give very little attention to visitors or seek to use them as commodities. Most visitors on their first (or second) visit experience the following:
- Offers to work immediately in a ministry.
- Compelled to give (financially) beyond what is in their heart.
- Largely ignored by over half the congregation.
- Criticized for their dress, status, or behavior (or their children’s behavior).
Many people are looking for a good church home. They want to find a church that has…
- specific ministries
- good preaching/teaching (at the least the style they like)
- good location
- friendly people
- loving atmosphere
- great service to every one of your needs
As they travel throughout their city, they will may find a church with four out of their six desires and they will move to the next church…and the next one…However, there is one one requirement for finding a church home:
Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The corporate church worldwide would agree that the commission Jesus gave the 11 disciples has been transferred throughout the ages. Sadly, not many believers and churches take Jesus’ full commission to heart. However, there are two levels of responsibility that rest upon those who come unto the Lord.
1. Personal responsibility. Within this commission, there is not only a corporate responsibility, but also a personal one. With the advent of the bible in mass production, we have great access to the teachings and commands of Jesus. As individual disciples of Christ, we must each take up the charge (and decision) to learn of Him as pupils that we may become like Him in our behavior and actions. It is not enough for any of us to wait for the preacher to speak on Sundays or Wednesdays. We must take to the Gospels ourselves.
As the Gospels are readily available, we can choose to read a chapter a day. We can use audio tapes within our vehicles or even on our personal media players. There are many ways to study Jesus’ commands, but the important thing for us is to begin today.
2. Corporate responsibility. As the corporate church, our focus should be the teachings of Jesus. There are so many subjects that span Christian culture, but Jesus’ teachings should be first, often, and always. We should have a steady flow of Jesus’ teachings. As Lord, Savior, and King, Jesus has provided guidance on how we are to live before Him and among His people.
Jesus’ teachings must be our most important message before and after salvation. In reading Acts 2:41-42, after the 3,000 souls were added unto them, the apostles continued steadfastly (1) in the apostles’ doctrine and (2) fellowship, and (3) in breaking of bread, and (4) in prayers. The apostles’ doctrine was the doctrine of Christ. They were teaching what they had received from the Lord Jesus. (Four areas encompassed the business of the apostles, and it should be ours (corporately) as well.)
Jesus’ commission is a command – not a suggestion or something we should take into consideration!
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/flaivoloka
Follow Us
Search the site
Disclaimer
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Website Information
Shopping cart
Total
Shipping and discount codes are added at checkout.
Checkout