Why church?

Well the first and foremost reason is; Jesus died for it. That alone should be enough reason for us to love and support it! (Ephesians 5:25 ) “Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. That He might sanctify it having cleansed it, with the washing of water, by the word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing.”

What is the Church? I’m glad you asked. The church is what Jesus gave His life for. And the purpose of Him dying was to give His life not only for us, but to us. The Church began on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1) The Holy Spirit which is the life of the church was poured out that day. And the resurrection from death to life took place in those who received it. The separation between God and man was healed. Jesus paid the price, fulfilled all the legal requirements for man and reconnected fallen man back to life in "God". Truly that which was lost in Adam, was gained back in Christ. Jesus married the church that day. The covenant was sealed by the out pouring of the Holy Ghost. And sons and daughters are from that time to this, being born of God; through Jesus Christ.

The Church is; angel sought, blood bought, devil fought, born-again believers. “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:13)

Yes, the church is, born again believers who are joined together by the divine purpose of God. It’s many members all vital, all important, and placed in the body (church) as it pleases the Lord. It’s those who have no problem saying and believing that Jesus is God; and that, there is no other way to be saved. It’s made up of saints and faithful brothers and sisters who have given their lives to provide for the needs of others. It’s those who God has called to dedicate their lives for the good of the whole world.

Jesus said : “I am the vine you are the branches”. (Jn. 15:5) He went on to say “without me you can do nothing” So we must be connected to Him, or we are void. Now if we are attached to Him, in the vine. Then we must be connected to each other.

The attack on the church is not new. If you don’t believe me, just read the book of Acts, and you will see it started in the first century. As an example, the Apostle Paul said: “For I know this, after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts20:29-30) I believe if you are going to come to a conclusion about whether or not the church is important. You should look in the bible and find out what it is. And how important it is to this world we live in. Granted, there are many so called preachers, who are doing things wrong. But don’t let what they do discourage you, the Lord gave a promise; that “He would build His church that the gates of hell would not prevail against it.”

I have had people say to me; that there is no need to come to a building and worship together. That we are the church individually and that the church as we know it is not scriptural, that we have Christ in us and that is all we need. There may be some elements of truth in these thoughts, but not the totality of truth. Please search the scriptures and make sure you are on the “rock.” The rock Jesus said a wise man would find if he would dig deep.

Let me ask you this: would the world be better off without places of worship? Would people find God without God called preachers? Could mankind be equipped for the work of the ministry without men and women dedicating their lives to the Lord? Remember, the Lord set a ministry in the Church for the perfecting (equipping) of the saints. (Eph.4:11-12) Again Jesus said: “I am the vine, you are the branches” (Jn.15) that tells us we are all connected to Him and each other.

Although, each of us may have a personal relationship with God, “and let me say that is great!” However, we are by new birth connected to a bigger picture. We are instructed in the scripture to think more highly of our brothers and sisters than of ourselves. Jesus words in (John 13:35) “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” The Church is compared to a body and though it has many members it is one body. And as our natural body is not complete and is useless without being connected to other parts. So we are not complete without being connected to one another. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1John 3:16)

Jesus gave His life for the Church. The Apostle Paul spent his life preaching to the church and he put the needs of the church above his own well-being.
( Revelation 1:13) “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.” The “candlestick” is symbolic of the church. And this scripture describes Jesus standing in the midst of the Church. John wrote to the angels of the 7 churches (Rev.2-3) the Greek word for angel is the same word for messenger or preacher. So, they were the ministries that were set to lead the church. They had led the church’ but, in the wrong direction. And the Lord sent a message to each of these angels (ministers), to correct the things they were doing wrong in these churches. Look at the rewards for obedience, and the consequences’ for not obeying the correction of the Lord.

Again Paul said: Ephesians 5:25 (NAS) “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for her.” In this passage of scripture it appears, the Lord Jesus loves the Church and holds it in high esteem. So if the church is that important to Him, I believe it should be to us as well!
“ Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. (Ps.133:1-3)

Bud Ridener

12/15/2011