The Community That God Speaks To…
Hebrews11: 8-10 “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the Promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (NIV)
Way too many believers treat the church as an addendum to their already busy life—to the degree that it rarely (if ever) achieves a prominent role in their priorities. Church participation and engagement usually gets the boot when the schedule is bulging with activity that is simply not clear focus as Jesus intended. After all – the church is HIS body. What better terminology exists in the scripture to highlight the connection Christ intended with His people? When the Church connection takes center stage – the rest of the priorities take on greater meaning and life actually becomes manageable!
As I mentioned in the previous post – God’s desire is that our life come into line with His. This process does not occur in a vacuum however! But instead it takes place through consistent interaction and equipping within the local body of believers, which He calls us to identify with. Purposely or inadvertently we continue to perpetuate this solely “western” concept of “going to church,” which in itself implies a disconnect when you “leave the church building!” Nothing could be farther from God’s truth as He intended. Besides the notion that God clears up our focus and brings our life closer in line with His – there are some additional benefits to consider when truly connecting with His church.
GIVES US HIS PROTECTION AND RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ONLY THROUGH COVENANT RELATIONSHIP
It’s no small wonder that many of the unchurched are not even remotely curious to the type of life that occurs within church facilities these days. Yes, there are many contributing factors to this problem—but none so debilitating than the existing attitude modern believers’ have toward their own church! Why? Because we don’t clearly emphasize nor demonstrate the amazing protection that comes through participating in community as God intended. Not some weird, move-to-a-mountain mentality of isolation far from the world, but one that declares boldly that we are not alone! That there is a God who cares and ministers to those who need it and provides loving support in the context of belonging. The mere idea that we can simply locate the God of the universe on the proverbial golf course of life – whenever and wherever, (“You go to church but I can find God on the golf course on Sundays!”) is sloppy theology at best and confused selfishness at worst!
I believe it is this understanding that has created more damage to the Body of Christ in our neck of the woods so to speak, than anything else the devil could have conjured up. That would explain the growing apathy and disconnection amongst the millennial generation toward all things associated with expectation, demand, or even sacrifice! And why not—since scores of parents have blindly told their children that they didn’t have to any longer since God loves us all the same! Though God’s love is never in question – His benefits don’t all gain access where the established, universal law of sowing and reaping is always in operation. Do you want your people to engage the blood-bought provisions of protection and resources? Do you as a leader? Then we must exemplify our own trust of God’s Vehicle for that provision by loving the church with OUR WHOLE HEART and preach and teach that resolve to our people. The local church is not just an expression of community – it IS the community God speaks to and nurtures!
