Daily Friendship with God #20 The Church

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. ”He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:13-18)

The foundation of the Church is built on the revelation of Jesus role as the Christ who is the Son of the living God. According to Jesus, not even hell itself can prevail against that truth. The primary definition for the word Church in its original language is as follows: a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly. Also the following is one of the meanings: those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body. One of Merriam Webster’s definitions for the word body is “a group of persons or things”. The church/ body of Christ is not a physical building. The spiritual life of Christ that lives in the hearts and minds of individuals who have relationship with Jesus as the Head leader of the body of Christ is known as the Church.  

And He(The Father) put all things under His(Jesus) feet, and gave Him(Jesus) to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23) And He(Jesus) is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.  (Colossians 1:18)… for the sake of His(Jesus) body, which is the church…(Colossians 1:28)

In this we note that Jesus is the Head of the Body. In the human body it is the head that directs the rest of the body in all of its activities. The head brings in the nutrition and fluids to nourish the body. It is through the Head that the body that the senses are feed such as seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting. Not only that but the mouth and the ears of the Head is used to receive and give communications to others. In addition the majority of oxygen which is necessary to live comes into the body through the Head. Christ is the Head. Finally the Head contains the brain which determines how the body conducts its self. 

I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)

In 1 Timothy 3:15 we see that the house of God (the place where God lives in) is the Church which is His body. This is a bit mind blowing that God lives in those in the human bodies of those that have relationship with Him and He calls them His Body.  

To be a leader in the group of individuals that are joined together as the Body of Christ a person must first be able to lead his own home in a Godly way (having a good testimony). 

for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?; not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:5-7)

Those that are leaders are to pray for the sick. 

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14)

Coming together and being taught is to be a normal thing for the church. 

And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Act 11:26) also read (1 Corinthians  4:17)

The Church is to send out individuals to preach and teach. 

Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. (Act 11:22) also read (Acts 15:3,22)

The Church is to pray for its leaders as well as all. 

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church (Act 12:5) also read (1 timothy 2:8)

The church has with in it prophets and teachers. 

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: (Act 13:1)

The Church is to appoint leaders in specific roles. (also read Ephesians chapter 4:11)

So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Act 14:23)

And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28)

God has put in the church shepherds to care for His body the Church. 

 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28)

One aspect of Spiritual Gifts is for the building up of the body of Christ. 

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. (1 Corinthians 14:12)

The Church is to be subject(in submission) to Christ. 

Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:24…25-27)

This means as members of the Church Jesus gave Himself for us to make us holy by His word of God washing us. When we read and listen to Gods voice we are to test all things by His written words the bible. 

God has many plans for His Church, unity is foundational with the effect that He will add to His Church by individuals being saved.  

So continuing daily with one accord(with one mind, with one passion) in the temple( a place of worship), and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47)

Take some time alone with God to ask Him how you can promote unity in the Church. Also ask Him to baptize you in the Holy Spirit so that those who do not know Jesus as Lord will come to know Him through the love you display when you share the simple Gospel of His death for our sins, His burial and His resurrection from the dead in order that they too can have a personal relationship with Him.