Be the Church

 

Acts 2:42-47 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [a]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

 

Continuing Pastor Kyle states that the picture of Christ’s church as the Lord intended is an uncomfortable message for the comfortable church and the casual Christian. In Luke 6:45-46 the sovereign Lord Jesus proclaimed, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” No disciple of Christ picks and chooses what they will obey and disobey. To say “No Lord” is an oxymoron. As citizens of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, we are subject to the reign and ruler of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. It is our rebellious sin that nailed Jesus to the Cross. 

 

Yet, it is not just the detriments of disobedience, but the benefits of obedience. In John 8:31-34 Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.It is a matter of who we by faith are believing in, trusting in, loving and have on the throne of our life. In John 14:15, 23-24 Jesus declares, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words.” 

 

The authentic Church is the collective body of Christians, who believe and profess in Jesus Christ, and acknowledge Him to be the Savior of mankind and Lord of all; they are the disciples of Christ assembled for worship, united under one house consecrated to the worship of God; the Lords house. When the church is the true Church, awe of God is tangible in the soul. You realize how big and awesome God is and how small you really are. You experience the power of God at work in your life and in the world as you follow Christ; the light of faith advances into the darkness. The bond unity in brotherly love within the family of God outpaces conflict as Christ has overcome the world. Within the genuine Church, needs are identified, care and compassion is actively given, and those needs are met. Spiritual maturity and growth is noticeable both inwardly and outwardly. The heart of the true Christian is for seeking and saving the lost, that they should find redemption, salvation and forgiveness at the foot of the Cross in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. 

 

Live in awe of Almighty God and devote yourselves to the work and advancement of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, share the Gospel and be the Church.

 

In Christ, Brian