What is Right About the Church
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Christ and Him Crucified
There are many articles depicting what is wrong with the church. Though there may be some truth to them, it seems very few if any have written about what is right about the church. If not for the church, the Word of life would not be preached and taught to those who are lost.
1Co 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Paul wrote that what he preaches is not of man, but of God. Many preach different gospels but not all preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The church is ordained and commanded to preach the Word of the Gospel of Christ.
The same gospel that was preached to Abraham. (Gen 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. ) If the Old Testament saints had the gospel of Christ preached to them, shouldn't we preach the same gospel?
This is the whole purpose of the church of God. To preach to those who are lost the way of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Author of our Faith
What about those who do things that I don't agree with? Many preach doctrine which I don't agree with. Some will add things to the gospel of Christ. If a person comes to Christ through the preaching of another gospel, that person is still born of Christ. I recall a movie titled Leap of Faith. Steve Martin played a preacher who evangelized holding tent revivals. He did it for money only. He swindled people everywhere he went. Healing services were very common among his meetings, though they were planned out and fake. Even though he was not called of God to preach and hold these meetings, those who would come to Christ for salvation were still saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.
I know this is an extreme example, but it is more easily seen in this way. I also know that many will do what they can to get money from people. They seek treasures on earth and want to be rich while here. Some were called of God and moved to different things going beyond what God called them to do. As bad as it is for a preacher to swindle money, it is even worse to allow people to go into hell with their money in their bank accounts. I am not condoning taking money or trying to coerce someone into giving you money. I have never asked for anything from anyone. Even though it is wrong to do what I mentioned above, it is still good that Christ is preached to all who are lost.
Once a person comes to Christ and believes, that person is saved and given a place in the kingdom of God.( Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.)
We must stop looking at the messengers and start looking to Jesus Christ. He is the one who is in control of His gospel. He is the author and the finisher of our faith. It is up to Him to chastise those who have done wrongly. He is not the author of confusion. If you are confused, it is of your own self.
At the Foot of the Cross
A Scenario to View
I want you to imagine yourself lost at sea. No land within hundreds of miles in any direction. There are no boats or ships in sight. What hope is there for you? Let's go farther with this. You have only a piece of driftwood to hold to. How long can you hold on? Still no boats around. The sea is relentless and will destroy you before you realize what is happening.
Now let's look at the same scenario in a different light. Still lost at the same spot in the sea. But there are lifeboats all around you. You just simply have to go to one of those lifeboats and allow someone to help you aboard. This is what the church is for. To save those which are lost and to edify and nurture those who are saved. Without a lifeboat you will perish.
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SirDent, this is an excellent hub. Very inspired. As you know, my family has been going through a whole lot this year. I lost my uncle, my surgery, my husband's surgery, my father-in-laws stroke, my grandmother......it's hard to go through. A ton of stress emotionally and physically. But having a church to stand with you in prayer and in so many other ways I can't even explain, has helped and is continuing to help us so much. I don't know how people without a church go through hard times. Our Christian brothers and sisters give us so much strength. If someone has never had it, it's hard to explain. But, we are so thankful that we have that. I wish everyone did. It's priceless. God only says and does things for our own good. And He said "forsake not the assembling of yourselves together." He told us this for our own good. And when we obey Him, great blessings follow. The church is truely a lifeboat God has given to us. I wish everyone would just come aboard and be blessed. What a wonderful world that would be! Great hub!
Thanks for the comment Lgali.
ASU, as was stated in the hub. The church is also for edifying and nurturing. Albeit, the main goal is to save those who are lost in the sea. Thanks for the read and comment.
Why is it when the truth is staring them in the face they refuse to let the only One who can keep them from perishing. The refuse to let Him help them. They truely decide to be on their own and are. Why are so many hearts hardened to this truth? It is a great mystery why I see Jesus, you see Jesus, and others do not, refuse to see the Christ as Jesus when it is so plain. It is like telling someone staying in your hotel, your floor is on fire, so get out now while there is time or burn and die. I know if someone told me to get out in time I would, but others I guess either don't believe the building is on fire. I guess for the moment they can't see the flames. I look at others who refuse Christ kind of like that. Like a hotel on fire they are staying in and they won't listen.
SirDent,
Thanks for the positive hub on the church.
It seems that the church is like that white sheet of paper with one black spot in the middle. All people see is the black spot. I was no different. Jesus is the pure white. Too often, I'm the black spot that distracts rather than attracts.
It is my prayer that we Christians (starting with me) will all submit to being transformed into the image of Christ.
~ eddie
Sciantel, the Bible tells us that they actually can't see it. Their eyes are closed to it until the Holy Ghost opens them up. I appreciate you stopping by to read and comment.
Eddie, that is why I wrote this hub. Everyone wants to see the bad side of anything to do with the church. They refuse to look at the good. Thanks for the read and encouraging comment.
that is nice if you go to a church that is there for you,,,,,,also have been to a church where one could tell it had clicks in it,,,,,one almost didnt feel welcomed as a visitor
Sir Dent,
This is oh so true! God works in many ways to receive those He's chosen. -- Our local pastor likens the local church as the hope of the world since those of the church will be the messengers of the Word! -- Thanks again for another inspiring hub!
Blessings!
Excellent work, my friend!
I have a sermon I preach on this very idea. Keeping our focus onJesus, the Son of God, is what church is all about.
Silly, you must look to Jesus. No matter what you feel or think about the church, it is there to preach the gospel of Christ. I have felt what you mentioned many times. Even satill today I can go into certain churches and feel otu of place. But those feelings most of the time are within me because of me.
Rob, I appreciate your encouraging comment very much. Jesus Himself said, "You are the light of the world." Glory to God and praise His holy name! \o/
Bill, I appreciate the read and comment. If we do not shine the light to the lost, they will always remain lost.
Silly, AMEN! Most "churches" are insincere, likely without God. I have found only one spiritual gathering that is "the real deal" and their target group is young people on the street, which I am not. I am an oldie, and do not attend any church service to discover my Daddy, His Son, and Holy Spirit. They are with me 24/7. I am truly blessed with that and ready to be taken home. You need only Holy Trinity to complete you, no man can. Know Him in your gut rather than only know about him outside your body. Excellent experience!
SisterTee, I appreciate the read and comment. I wonder if it may be a little misleading, not on purpose mind you. I have read where people were satisfied with having services in their home with three or four others with them. I used to think nothing of people doing that. Now I wonder a few things. Would they allow drug addicts to come into their house to be saved? Alcoholics? Murderers? Child molestors? Theives?
The building isn't as important as the people inside, but the building itself is still important.
SirDent;
I thought it was worth mention that our sister in Him was just healed by God in her church. The pastor and the congregation came together for her in a time of physical affliction. Her faith was the necessary ingredient in God's work, and she abounds in it.
I guess what I am getting at is that, like so many things in life, we sometimes get out of something what we are willing to put into it.
I am thrilled for our sister in the Lord who has had physical rest from pain that has lasted nine years.
To quote you, \o/
Thanks VP for the comment. I didn't think to speak of ASU's healing here. Good job!!! :D
Lgali 3 years ago
another good hub from a expert