“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47
New converts need to go to church for their own spiritual growth. Mature saints need to go to church so they will continue to grow and be a testimony, blessing and a minister to those who need to grow.
“And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.” I Kings 6:7
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:5).
Only lively stones can be used to build the spiritual house of God.
brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.” I Ki. 6:7
The problem with some of the church today is that non-believers are invited to be members, and worse than that, even ministers. Just as the stone for the temple was chiseled and shaped before it was brought to be a part of the temple, so must people have a genuine conversion and made a brand new creature before they can ever be a part that fits in the church.
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” I Cor. 3:11-13
The reason some churches and ministries, that are nothing more than man’s agenda, seem so huge and successful, is because the cheaper the building materials, the bigger you can build.
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Mt. 16:16-19
First came the revelation of Christ to Peter, then came the establishing of the church. The church would have an unbelievable demonstration of unity and power, that would give the utmost glory to God, if all those who call themselves a Christians would really have a revelation of Christ and not just be a card carrying member.
“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 1:9
If you declare the word of God as the absolute truth and if your testimony is Jesus Christ, then at times you will feel like you are on an island. It will be and has always been that the more you pursue Christ, the less people there are who will join you.
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:”
Thank the Lord that He still shows us things. Will you see them?
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” I Pe. 4:17
If judgment begins with us, then I must realize that for me personally, it starts with me. This is the one time, before God, that I can and must put myself first. If I let the Holy Spirit continually judge my life, I will not be so eager to judge anyone else’s life, but when I do, it will be a righteous judgment meant for their spiritual well-being.
“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:4
Grace isn’t about God accepting us in our sin, grace is God delivering us from our sin. Grace isn’t about God accepting you for who you are, God’s grace delivers you from who you are.
