We Are The Church Part 2

We've been entrusted as the church with an awesome and humbling task/gift of sharing the love of Jesus with others. 

As the church there are 4 things that can be labeled as our purposes.

1) Worship - All too often we think of worship as singing a few songs and as something that we can only do on Sundays or Wednesdays or in our own quiet time. True worship, however, is how we live our lives daily. Worship is giving a sacrifice of praise. Yes singing, prayer, and gathering with other believers is a time of worship. But so is being in the shower or being at work or school, worship is a lifestyle. Colossians 3:17 reads, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him". I gotta be open and honest with y'all, I fail to do this every single day of my life. It's something I've been being convicted of and something that I need to repent of. The heart of worship is bringing glory to Christ and if we're not bringing glory to Christ, we're ultimately bringing glory to the enemy. 

2) Fellowship - As the church, we're called to fellowship with one another and with the Lord Jesus Himself. We're brothers and sisters in Christ! You may be an only child, but if you're a part of the body of Christ you have more brothers and sisters than you can even count! Romans 15:7 reads, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” We’re all in this together, playing on the same team with the same coach. We should be there for our brothers and sisters. Praying for one another, talking to one another, encouraging one another, and LOVING one another. Satan can’t touch our salvation, true. But he can keep us from coming together as the church to prevent us from accomplishing things for Christ.

Our fellowship can be broken with other believers whenever we sin against them. Such sins are being resentful towards a brother or sister, gossiping, jealousy, envy, bitterness, and causing divisions. Another open and honest moment from me to you, I struggle so much with every one of those sins against my brothers and sisters. I'm extremely prideful and the bitterness I have towards others at times eats away at me. Please pray for me…

Our fellowship can also be broken with our Savior as well. Our fellowship is broken with Jesus whenever we sin. The solution however is simple, repent. As believers, repentance should be a part of our DAILY lives, emphasis on the word daily (if you didn't notice).

3) Ministry – As the church, part of our duty is to serve. We serve in the church, the community, and anywhere and everywhere we are. Guys, we ought to have our communities and schools turned upside down for Jesus. He's worthy. We're not worthy at all, but He's worthy of our all. Our debt was paid in full at Calvary when Jesus took our sins upon Himself. God punished Himself for our sins. WHATTTTT!!!!???? Let me say it again, HE'S WORTHY! 

4) Witness - “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8.

That’s a promise. And God doesn’t break His promises.

You’ve probably heard it said, “Share the gospel, if necessary use words.” I completely understand what that statement is trying to say (as a matter of fact I'm guilty of tweeting that), but it’s a halfhearted way to witness. And honestly it’s not witnessing at all.

The word translated to witness from the Greek is martyria. Martyria means making a defense, spoken testimony is the essence of its meaning.

In witnessing situations, Satan loves it when we talk about the Bible, God, and church. As long as we don’t mention the name Jesus, he doesn’t care. We accomplish his work for him. 

Just say Jesus. Like the song says (I have no clue what its title is but I’m sure y’all may know it), “When you don’t know what to say, just say Jesus.” There is power in HIS name. Let’s make it a point to proclaim His name and His truth to all the nations.

I want us all collectively to pray for everyone who reads and writes this blog. Pray that we will be bold witnesses for Christ wherever we are. Let’s pray for all our brothers and sisters who are genuinely following Jesus. Pray. Pray. Pray.

Let's be the church that Christ intends for us to be.

Freedom comes in following Jesus.

“But HE was wounded for OUR transgressions; HE was crushed for OUR iniquities; upon HIM was the chastisement that brought US peace, and with HIS stripes WE are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

Please sit back and meditate on the contrasts in that verse. That alone is a call to worship.

                         #AllAboutJESUS