GOSPEL :: FAMILY :: MISSION
As we’ve studied Ephesians 4:7 – 16 over the last few weeks, I’ve been reminded of a few biblical themes regarding the purpose of the church. The church was not designed to be a country club, a social club or a political power. It’s not meant to be another activity on our list of other good things to do. And it’s also not meant to be a place where spiritual goods are merely consumed.
In the midst of worship I am often moved past my momentary sufferings as I am reminded of the suffering of Christ on my behalf. I am reminded that I am a poor and needy beggar and my desperation for Jesus expands.
Forgive means to wipe the slate clean. It reminds us that God’s grace is like a warm, wet washcloth on a chalkboard. It washes away every last speck of sinful residue on our lives.
Every one of us is called to equip and build up the body of Christ. But most of us struggle with seeing ourselves the way God does. Some of us think too highly of ourselves and some of us think too lowly of ourselves. We are either highly arrogant or highly insecure. Sometimes we think, feel and behave like we are indispensible. Sometimes we think, feel and behave like we are useless. But the gospel teaches us that we are all, valuable and useful and gifted and are called to equip and build up the body of Christ.
We are called to equip and build up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12). The word, “equip” means to furnish or fit completely and the word “build” means to construct something. We are called to furnish or fit ourselves completely with the Word of God. We are to build up the body instead of tearing it down.
You may have heard the phrase that it takes a village to raise a kid. I know that’s certainly been true for me. I also think it’s true that it takes a village to establish a community where the presence of God lives visibly.
It is interesting to think about how our appetite affects our growth. If we have no appetite whatsoever then we shrivel up and die. If we have an appetite that is out of control then we eat everything in sight and blow up like blimps and might eventually die from gross health issues. But if we watch our diet and feed ourselves on healthy things our appetite changes and we begin to hunger for more healthy food and we grow physically healthier.
G.I.G.O. is an acronym that means garbage in garbage out. What you put into yourself comes out. What you fill your brain, your soul and your heart with, will eventually come out in the way you live your life. When you put garbage into yourself then your life will be full of garbage. When you put healthy things into yourself then you will have a healthy life.
Building a church is costly. It takes resources to build anything. You can’t build much for free. There will always be an element of personal sacrifice and costliness when you attempt to build something. And there is a price tag for building a community where the presence of God dwells. It was the same in Moses’ day too.
In difficult seasons the promises of God act like anchors in a storm. The promise in Matthew 18:20 is that “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
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