The Purpose of the Church, Pt. 2

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I'm still pondering what the church is supposed to be all about...Certainly the worship of God, our Savior is a primary reason for the church.  My former professor, Garen L. Wolf gives us a clue.  He states that when we come to worship at church, it is not about us, but all about Him.  When you think of some of what is going on in modern churches today, one has to wonder if this simple, yet profound concept has been forgotten or tossed on the ash heap of yesteryear, outdated and irrelevant.  Recently, I was introduced to a Youtube clip from MorningStar Ministries in South Carolina.  This is the "Holy Ghost Hokie Pokie."  I'm not kidding.  This has a hard, driving beat which is reminiscent of rock music which is another whole topic of discussion, and it's words repeated over and over with very little variation.  It is a horrible example of "working a crowd up," to try and achieve a particular outcome.  I also wonder how this could really be "all about God," when it appears to be more about people shaking, gyrating and trying to feel good about something?  I give you the clip for your own conclusion...(see above) From Youtube, we find some of the words which are part of this "song."  "You put your right hand in, you take your right hand out, you put your whole self in and see astounding and miraculous healing's all about..." (taken from HarvestFest 2009).
Where, may I ask is there anything about worshiping and glorifying God?  Where is the God focus which causes us to muse on His mighty attributes?  Where is His glory that we might see how we desperately need Him?  As Dr. Steve Lawson stated recently at the Strange Fire Conference at Grace Community Church in California, this is like a "bad fraternity party."  Nothing here about worship or the grace of God shown to us in Christ.  

I contrast that with the words and music of this beautiful hymn, Blessed Assurance.  Here, Fanny Crosby, blind most of her life, writes of the wonderful assurance she has in Christ.  "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!  Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!  Heir of salvation, purchase of God.  Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood!"  Here, we see Christ lifted up, while the songwriter testifies of the wonderful change in her life since Christ has entered!  I submit, there is no comparison.  Which one of these two "worship styles," best represents Ephesians 4:12-14 as to the purpose of the church? ."... for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting..."

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY19JgtL3Wg





The answer is very obvious...

The Church's Purpose?

What is the purpose of the church?  Ephesians 4:12-14 gives us God's answer..."... for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting..."

Is the church a place for saints or sinners?  Is the church a place for social clubbiness or the gospel being preached?  Is the church a place for saints to be built up, edified and encouraged, or should we pander to the sinners and try how to make them feel comfortable?

It is alarming when churches shift their focus from the scriptures and the edification of saints to trying to figure out what will make sinners "comfortable" in the church atmosphere!  Going so far as to poll sinners to find out what kind of music they want, instead of turning to the scripture and Biblical principles to figure out how we can better honor Christ through our music and worship.  

Above all, the local church must be focused on the scriptures, lifting up Christ and preaching the gospel.  Social programs may follow as the local church seeks to follow Christ, but it won't be the primary focus.  

What did the early church do in their times of gathering?  The book of Acts gives
us information about that..."And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."  (2:42) If local churches would follow this model, how different the church world would be.  Does your local church follow this model, or the modern, "seeker friendly" one?

It's Still "Merry Christmas!"

It's still, "Merry Christmas," even though not everything in  my life is "merry."  So, how can it still be "merry?"  It can still be "merry" because of Christ.  Period.  As John Piper says so well, Jesus came to not so much bring me bread, but as to BE BREAD!  A line from a familiar Christmas Carol comes to mind..."...the hopes and fears of all the years, are  met in Thee, tonight."  Yes, all of my hopes can be met and fulfilled, ultimately in Christ.  So, even though my brother Michael is fighting cancer something fierce, Christmas is still "merry."  
Jesus came to bring us life!  Not a better life on this earth, but eternal life which begins in our hearts here.  Throw out all the "health and wealth" gospel bringers, they can't offer me any scripture which can support that.  Jesus came to bring the real, abiding life which springs hope eternal, even in the midst of great suffering!  The promise of sins forgiven, and Christ alive within.   Christ came to give so much more than a present under the tree, He came to take care of my GREATEST need, the need for salvation and forgiveness.  So, yes, Christmas is still "merry," no matter what!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope..."(I Pet. 1:3, NIV)

This Is Just What Heaven Means to Me [Live]

I don't have any great words of wisdom today.  As I write, my dear brother, Michael Wright, is facing the final leg of his journey through this world, barring a miracle from God.  I remember nearly four years ago, the day this all began, where I was, and the sweater I was wearing.  Little did I really know all the twists and turns this journey would take him and his family on.  It has truly been a roller coaster ride.  I'm so thankful he has the sure hope of a home in heaven with Jesus!  He has lived a life of great testimony for sure, and so many have been blessed by his life.  Sunday evening, and into Monday, I would break into tears at various times, as it really hit me where we might be in this journey.  Michael was born only one year and eleven days after me, so we grew up together, literally.  My mother said that when Michael was learning to walk, and would fall, I would fall down, too, just to get attention!  (LOL)  He has been a great brother, so kind, cheerful and giving.  I have been so blessed to have him as my brother.  Yesterday, I thought about this song, and I love the way Vestal Goodman sings it!  What a hope! 

What Kind of Life do I expect?

Jesus said in John 16:33, "In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.  But take heart!  I've conquered the world!" (The Message).

What Kind of Life do I expect?  Well, I'll tell you what I expected in the past, anyway.  I expected to have all of my dreams fulfilled...great marriage, nice home, wonderful children, enough money to pay my bills, etc.  But, what did I get?  A life of singleness, living in rental properties, no children and presently struggle to pay my bills.  What else did I get?  A brother fighting with all his might to beat cancer for a little while longer.  I have struggled with not getting what I expected.  Did I do something wrong?  Was I unattractive?  Was I too this, that, or the other?  

I believe the real answer lies in Jesus' words...we WILL have difficulties.  It's not whether we will or won't have them, but just a matter of when.  I should EXPECT difficulties.  The fiery trials should not surprise me at all.  I should not be surprised that all my dreams did not come true.  I should not be surprised that my brother has cancer.  I should not be surprised that suffering abounds in many places. 

 We live in a sin cursed world which waits for its' deliverance.  We were not made for a sinful, messed up world.  We groan for the perfection for which we were created.  I should expect troubles.  I should also remember that Jesus has already conquered them all on the cross!   In all of these things, Jesus has promised to be with the one who has trusted in Him.  I should take heart! 

When the Lord rejoices over us...

In Zephaniah 3:17, we read,  

     " The Lord your God in your midst,

      The Mighty One, will save;

      He will rejoice over you with gladness,

      He will quiet you with His love,

      He will rejoice over you with singing."

We have all experienced times in our lives when our hearts are broken, hurting, fearful or lonely.  It seems that all have forsaken us and there is no hope for tomorrow.  It seems that everyone is arrayed against us, and life is not worth living.  It is in that moment when we MUST run to our Father in heaven, Jesus Christ.  For these difficult times, He shed His precious blood on Calvary.  In Isaiah we read, "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."   

If we come to Him, we can leave all of our sorrows, burdens, cares and sins at the foot of the cross.  There, Christ bore all of this for us.  We can be assured that as we empty ourselves, His love, His joy and peace will flow over and through us.  His presence will quiet us with His love, and He will rejoice over another human being who brings everything to Him!  How foolish we are when we try and bear all of our burdens ourselves!  We were never meant to bear them; we physically cannot.  HE, alone, can bear our trials and tribulations.  Then, and only then, can we experience His loving presence which results in security, stability and sanity.  

Rest in Him!  Enjoy His rejoicing, His love and His singing...

Where Am I drinking from?

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation. ³Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.   Isaiah 12:2-3

We are ALL drinking from something...what am I drinking from?  Am I drinking from the well of salvation?  The clean and pure water that Jesus spoke of in John 4:14 "...but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life."  Am I drinking from His Word, of the promises and truth that are all throughout, finding strength for each day and hope for tomorrow?  Am I reading and finding the knowledge of how He wants me to live?  

Or, am I drinking from the shallow wells of this world, the wells of worldly entertainment?  The Hollywood ideas of love and fulfillment?  Am I drinking of the wells of this world's empty pleasure?  Is the emptiness inside drawing me to seek temporal, earthly thrills?  And, when I have drank from those shallow, empty wells, do I go back for more?  Or, do I run back to Jesus where the life giving water flows, freely, to satisfy my every longing, no matter how deep?  Do I come back with brokenness and repentance?  I was not made for the shallow, temporal wells of this world.  I was made to draw deeply from the wells of salvation.

Lord Jesus, give me a thirst and a longing for You that will drive me onward to You each and every day!