UNHINDERED CONSTRUCTION
Thursday, September 08, 2016
Matthew
16:13-19
Romans [ESV] chapter 12 [Also note 1Corinthians 12] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by
the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this
world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may
discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For
by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself
more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each
according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we
have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we,
though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having
gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: …
Strong’s: G1577 - ἐκκλησία;
ekklēsia; ek-klay-see'-ah From a compound of G1537
and a derivative of G2564; a calling
out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a
religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community
of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): - assembly, church.
The emphasis of
the Word of God is not about or on us. The Word’s emphasis is on and about Him!
With careful
thought we may easily see importance but miss that which is most important.
Today I share matters that I have and still do observe.
The at times
heated ongoing religious discussion on Peter being or not being the first Pope
and whether the Roman Catholic denomination began with founding on or by him,
sanctioned by Jesus, and if Roman Catholicism is the true church or not . . .
all while missing Lord Jesus Christ’ emphasis being “I
will build my church [G1577]; and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it.”
Then there is the
related misbegotten idea that we have and are building the church. Man has not
done so, is not, will not. Ours is to participate in or not. The church is
neither organization nor denomination by any nomenclature. The church is the
body of Christ and He builds it with or without my, your, man’s help or contrary
hellish behavior within . . . and there is historical and current record of
plenty of the latter.
It should be no
mystery that rocks do not build. Only the Rock of our salvation has the power
to do so and He has and continues to do so beyond and above all religious controversy
and confusion.
Please be aware
that there is a major way we as individuals and corporately may participate in
His church. His Holy Spirit has given each of His followers at least one
service gift. I list 7 motivational gifts from Pastor Bob’s most recent sermon:
Prophecy (to foretell or forth-tell from God’s Word), service (KJV “helps”),
teaching, exhortation (mine), giving, leadership, mercy (mine). To participate
and optimize participation we are responsible to know our Holy Spirit gift(s)
and serve accordingly.
Unhindered by
bone-headed papists, Baptists, or any others, Lord Jesus Christ has and
continues to build His church. It’s not my, your, or our church. It is His
church with the option of membership followed by healthy John 1:12 family
participation, or not. He is. We are deciding if we are.
EBB4
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