We have been on a fantastic journey over the past couple of weeks. What has made this great is the conversation that has been swirling through the comments. I hope you know that if you leave comments here, they are not overlooked. You matter to me and so do our conversations. I love that I am getting to know you and your hearts. If you comment, will you do me a favor, will you come back, and check my response. If you have anything to add, please do. This is not meant to be one-sided where I post and you read.
Friends, The Battle Ground and 3 Tips To Finding a Church to Call Home leads us into this week's post. These last two weeks have evolved into more than expected. I am writing in response to comments in a way that is intended to be healing and for the purposes of making us all stronger as a whole.
I started this blog to encourage the body of Christ. As believers, we are the body. We as the body are to be edifying, which means to build up and make stronger. I started Sitting Among Friends because I love to be able to sit down with you and have meaningful and biblical conversations, such as this.
I want to clarify two terms and I will try to be careful not use the two interchangeably. The word church as in the meeting and assembling of God's people and The Church, which is the body of Christ as a whole, Christ being the head.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15
I grew up going to church. I have seen many things, both good and honestly, bad, but I love church. Attending church and having fellowship with other believers is vital. We were not intended on going through life and our journey alone.
If we look at the ministry of Jesus, as soon as he began, he started gathering people, his disciples, and they journeyed together.
Let's be honest, did Christ need them to do His work? Does He need us to do His work now? Christ can accomplish His purposes with or without us. He wants us to be a part of it. So, in the gathering of the people, the assembling of His disciples (both then and now) shows us, He wants this to be a journey where we are in fellowship and in communion together.
One comment I received from a gentleman was stating that it does not say in the Bible that we are to attend church. I believe there is a large and growing population of people that would consider themselves Christians or believers and feel the same way.
I would like to address these thoughts beginning with these verses from
Hebrews 10:24-25 which says Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing to a near.
In or out of a church building, we are The Church. I understand the thinking that the church is not a building, it is a people. That is true. However, this does mean because we are everywhere we forsake or neglect meeting and assembling together.
It also does not mean we have the option to excuse parts of the Bible because we are angry, upset, hurt, belittled, or any other thing that someone has hurled upon our hearts.
Friends, God is a mighty healer, He is the God of all comfort, He is the Prince of Peace. If you feel any of these things apply to your story, you need to bend a knee to Him today. You need to straighten out the hurt and the anguish you have been carrying. It is making your load way too heavy.
This does not alleviate the problems that go on in churches. If we could, however, shift our thinking to align with God's purposes for us in the assembly, which is to worship Him together. If we were able to see that the things of this world are temporary and that sometimes includes our gathering place. We need to focus on the things that are truly eternal then we would have one focus and be of one mind and purpose.
Therefore, if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being of one mind, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2 BSB
This like-mindedness needs to stay in context of the verse. It does not mean we need to be exactly the same. Have the same haircuts. Wear the same clothes. Like the same style of worship music and want the chairs in the church to be the same color.
This verse means we need to have the same purpose in bringing Glory to God, for HIS name's sake. We need to have the same heavenward focus. Being people of kindness, compassion and showing humility to one another and not esteeming ourselves over one another. We need to love each other enough to care for the salvation and maturity of their faith. We need to see that they, too, are made in the image of our Creator. When we do these things, then our joy may be complete, and we can have a united front, standing strong together.
If you have walked away from a church, make sure you have not also walked away from God. If you feel this is the case, brothers and sisters in Christ, He is waiting with open arms to receive you back.
If you have not been to church in a while, as a believer, you are part of the body, and we need you. We need you to help make us strong. We need to be united. We need the gifts and talents God has given you and equipped you with to serve Him.
Don't wait another week. Don't give another excuse. Give it all to God and let Him handle the details. Be a willing obedient heart. And you give Him an open door to do the work He needs to complete in you.
I know this is hard and may not seem like an answer. I understand, I have been there. Healing seems to take time. It seems to be a process. It can also be something we just relinquish. We don’t have to be in bondage to those thoughts and feelings. If the Son of Man sets us free we are free indeed. We need to be living in that freedom.
Friends, join me in prayer for the Body of Christ, for the millions of broken unrestored relationships, for those who want to draw near to God but don't know where to begin and for those whose worship needs to be healed. For churches around the world to have a Christ-centered focus and for the love of Christ to shine through all that we do.
Friends, if you would like to further this conversation, you can contact me through email (located at the bottom of this page). I am willing to pray with you and do what I can to encourage you. If you are part of the body of Christ, please give an encouraging word below to help others heal and grow. I do appreciate all that you do for this community. Have a wonderful week!
While you're here, sit down with some of my friends.
Wow! Last week had 102 posts. I am so glad you all are here. Please remember to visit other friends while you are posting.
They are amazing writers with so many great stories to share with you. Just clink on a link below and you will go directly to their site where you can get to know them more.
Please, linkup (up to 3) of your family-friendly inspiring stories, recipes, DIY, homeschool, giveaways, or share your life's greatest passions.
Friends are here to encourage and challenge us in our walk of life, so enjoy!
Thank you for posting and linking up. I try to read and comment on as many of these wonderful posts as I can and as time allows. I just want to say you are all doing wonderful work and praise the Lord that I have had the opportunity to come across the path of so many of you.
This party has been fantastic and it is thanks to all of you who stop by and Share this party with your friends. Together we can make this our great place. There are easy share buttons to your left or at the bottom of each post (mobile) and after you linkup.
Thanks! From all of us at #SittingAmongFriends
Labels: Church, Sitting Among Friends Blog Party, We are the Church
Let's be honest, did Christ need them to do His work? Does He need us to do His work now? Christ can accomplish His purposes with or without us. He wants us to be a part of it. So, in the gathering of the people, the assembling of His disciples (both then and now) shows us, He wants this to be a journey where we are in fellowship and in communion together.