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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In America, over 100 million people attend a church service every weekend – why? What are the benefits? Some who go have no clear reason why they are there. Out of habit – out of tradition – because they think it is their duty?
We need to know who we are and what we are and why we are.
There are various irreplaceable benefits resulting from belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ – and you cannot get these anywhere else – not from work – school – family or friend – no – only in the Church of Jesus Christ.
WHAT IS A CHURCH? Not a building! Not an institution! Jesus Christ did not die for a building or an institution.
The Church is not a place I go to, nor an event I attend. The Church is a spiritual family to which I belong. “Those who BELIEVED . . . were BAPTIZED and ADDED to the church . . . They JOINED with the other believers and COMMITTED THEMSELVES to the apostles’ teaching , and to the fellowship. They worshipped together regularly at the Temple courts and met in small groups in homes for communion , and shared meals with great joy and thankfulness.” Acts 2verses 41to 46
DEFINITION: “A CHURCH is a group of baptised believers who have joined together in a commitment to help each other fulfil God’s purposes for their lives.”
The Church is to help us to fulfil God’s purpose for our lives – and the Church of Jesus Christ is the most important group on earth.
The Church is God’s family – that is why it is more important than business or government – “God has given us the privilege of being born again so that we are now members of God’s own family.” 1Peter 1verse 3 . “That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth.” 1Timothy 3verse 15 .
The Church is one of the reasons why Almighty God created the world – the universe – God wanted a family.
Ephesians 1verse 4 – “Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through what Christ would do for us.” – Even before God made the world.
Ephesians 1verse 5 – “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.”
God is using the Church for His Eternal Purposes – Ephesians 3verses 10,11 – “God’s intent was that now, THROUGH THE CHURCH , the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to all the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Through Christians, gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!”
Jesus died for His Church – Ephesians 5 verses 25 to 27 – “Christ loved the church and gave himself for it . . . He died so that he could give the church to himself like a bride in all her beauty. He died so that the church could be pure and without fault . . .” This is how valuable the Church is – the price you pay for something indicates how valuable it is.
The Church is the only thing that will last for ever – Ephesians 3verse 21 – “Glory will belong to God in his church and in Christ Jesus for all time and eternity!” – “. . . and we will be with the Lord together forever!” 1Thessalonians 4verse 17
The Church is the only group that Jesus said would succeed – “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it!” Matthew 16 verse 18
Jesus is interested in building, and building up, His family – ultimately the Church succeeds.
The greatest privilege in life is to be a part of God’s church – the Church of Jesus Christ. 1Corinthians 3verse 16 - “Don't you realize that ALL OF YOU TOGETHER are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?”
When we are born physically, we were born into the human race – part of the human family. When we are born spiritually – born again – we become members of the Family of God.
The Church helps me focus on God. It is easy to lose your focus – there are diversions and distractions out there – and we need to re-focus regularly.
The Church helps me face life’s problems – to have other people in the fight with you – life is tough – and we can easily become discouraged. God never meant us to go through stress and anxiety or fear on our own.
The Church helps me fortify my faith – strengthen – make stronger – to make you more like a castle – to reassure you that you are protected and safe in Christ. We need a fortified faith.
The Church helps me find my place to make a real difference – it can be called your life mission – where you are transformed from being a consumer to becoming a producer.
What did you do with my Son, Jesus?
What did you do with what I gave you?
The Church helps me fulfil my life’s mission – to do the work which no one else can do – to do the task which only you can fulfil – Nehemiah – Moses – Joseph – Noah.
Two questions arise – what did you do with My Son, Jesus – and – what did you do with what I gave you?
“Loving gracious generous Father – You have given us so much – for which we thank You – and You have called us to such a high calling – and You look for us to be fruitful. We thank You for the Church of Jesus Christ – and we pray for the welfare and growth of the Church around the world – teach us to appreciate the riches we have in Christ Jesus.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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