Being the Church

Being the Church

We are empowered by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:3 that our lives are a letter, a billboard, a road sign, written on our hearts, know and read by everyone, we show that we are a letter from Christ, the result of the church’s ministry.  How our lives communicate the “good news” of Jesus Christ can affect the lives of millions.

When Jesus instructed His disciples: “I have been given complete authority in Heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

What Christ is commanding us to is a life that exemplifies His total person, every part of Christ we as His church is to embody. We have been given the authority to act on behalf of Christ, to be His representatives, His ambassadors, basically His primary vehicle to communicate His love and redemptive gift.  To put it to you bluntly, we are it in this world and we are Christ incarnate. There is no plan “B”!

Think of it like this: If the worship experience or what we ignorantly call “church” was a spectator sport, then you would sell popcorn and peanuts in the foyer. The ushers would call out, “hotdogs, cotton candy, get your Cracker Jacks here!” The Church is a living organism, people who live their lives in the fullness of the Spirit of Christ, instead of a noun, a place or a religious thing. The reality is that the “church” is a verb, a people of action, a people of celebration, a people of comfort and healing, and a people that reflect God’s love to a lost community. When the church operates as the church, darkness is removed, lives are transformed, families are restored, ministries are launched and God is glorified.

I realize this line of thinking is nothing new for you, but I hope by way of reminder it will cause you to change the verbiage of your life letter of Christ as it communicates to the world.  Here are a few questions that may point you in a particular direction:

·      What does your life communicate? To Christians? To non-believers?

·      What does it mean to be a spiritual spectator and a spiritual participant?

·      How does your Christianity live like a verb and how might it live like a noun? Is it who you are, or a place you go or an idea you have?

·      What might be one action step you will take to BE the Church this week in the lives of those you frequent?