08/28/18 - Eph 3

Aug 28, 2018

God's intent was that now, through the church, the wisdom of God should be made known.  Eph 3:10

We all need the church to reveal to US God's word, and we need to BE the church to reveal it to others.

People choose a church for many reasons.

Some choose a church that sings their preferred songs or song styles.  Others choose it for the different types of group options available.  Some select a church based on the children’s or youth ministry programs.  There are many these days that look at building or artistic features.  Many will tell you they chose based on the style and preaching of the senior minister or key leader.  Often, most people stay at a church because of friendships.

But that’s not what Jesus is looking for in a church.  What Jesus wants out of a church is His Word revealed.  Find a church that constantly teaches God’s Word properly, and you have found a good church!  EVEN IF I DON’T LIKE what the teaching means, it is a good church if their teaching is consistent with the Scriptures.  Being a good church has nothing to do with the programming, it has to do with the revealing of God’s Word.

That being said, it really exposes our self-centered concept about church life.  If we’re honest, we can see that churches have turned into competitors for a market more than communities for a Word.  Maybe the worship wars started that … maybe it was the church growth era … or even the mega-church season we are in these days.  Something turned church selection into a market instead of a calling.

If you’re at a church and are tempted to leave because of the programming, or building style, or even lack of friendships … Re-Evaluate!    How is God’s Word being handled?  Is it revealing truth that can transform your life?  Are you hearing truth (even if you’re not trying to listen to it)?   Don’t leave until God calls you away!  Let the Word of God be the deciding factor about your church attendance.

And if you’re not at a church, then find one that handles the Word properly.  That’s not a denomination or style decision, that’s a command of Jesus.  He left the job of revealing the Word of God to the church.  And Jesus is still calling us to come be transformed by His Word.

THEN, go out and be the church to people around you.  Those programs you are looking for… they happen when the CHURCH serves and creates them.  Those friends you are looking for … they form when WE go out and make them.  That larger impact we are wanting … it occurs when the Word sends us out to BE the church and draw people back to His Word.

It’s time to stop being in the market for a church, and start being the church sent to the market.  That happens when we assemble and worship God, and receive His Word.