Saturday, April 27, 2024

April 27th - You're Not Going the Church

“Jesus said to them, who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered; you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said to him…I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:15-18)

The Church is not a building to attend or an organization to join. Paul defined the Church as the “body" of Christ…

“…gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body...” (Ephesians 1:22-23)

You do not GO to the church. If you are a part of it, it is only because God has placed you into it…

“God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.” (1 Corinthians 12:18)

Buildings are built for people to assemble in to worship God who said this of the worship services of Israel.

“I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies…what do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me.” (Amos 5:21; Jeremiah 6:20)

Church buildings serve a purpose for those who need the fellowship of other humans for moral and spiritual support. They are not needed for worship nor has God told humanity to build them.

God has told members of the body of Christ/church what to do.  We are to go into business and work hard at whatever we do until Jesus returns. And we are to make an effort to be a good person to those around us without judging them.

"Now Jesus said to him that "Today salvation came to this home..."For the Son of Mankind came to seek and to save the lost."...'Go into business until I return.'" (Luke 19:9:10,13 CV)

"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

"For all of us must be manifested in front of the Dais of Christ, that each should be requited for that which he puts into practice through the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)

"For other foundation can no one lay beside that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone is building on this foundation gold and silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw, each one's work will become apparent, for the day will make it evident, for it is being revealed by fire. And the fire, it will be testing each one's work - what kind it is. If anyone's work will be remaining which he builds on it, he will get wages. If anyone's work shall be burned up, he will forfeit it, yet he shall be saved, yet thus, as through fire. Are you not aware that you are a temple of God and the spirit of God is making its home in you? If anyone is corrupting the temple of God, God will be corrupting him, for the temple of God is holy, which you are. Let no one be deluding himself. If anyone among you is presuming to be wise in this eon, let him become stupid, that he may be becoming wise, for the wisdom of this world is stupidity with God." (1 Corinthians 3:11-19)

"And I perceived a Great White Throne, and Him Who is sitting upon it, from Whose face earth and heaven fled...And I perceived the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. And the scrolls were opened. And another scroll was opened which is the scroll of life. And the dead were judged by that which is written in the scrolls in accord with their acts." (Revelation 20:11-12 CLV)

How often you went to a buildings to worship will most likely not be praised or condemned...

"So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For He will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due." (1 Corinthians 4:5)

You cannot GO to the Church, but you can BE in it when you trust that Jesus has saved you according to the grace and love of God the Father.

December 23rd - Merry Christmas Israel!

"For a Boy, He is born to us; a Son, He is given to us, and the Chieftainship shall come to be on His shoulder, and one shall call His ...