Welcome to the month of October, the first day in the last quarter of the year. Whatever is remaining of your expectations for this year shall be delivered to you within these last three months of the year.
It is also the 63rd Independence Day of our great country, Nigeria. I pray that God heals our dear nation, and blesses and prospers her in Jesus’ precious name.
Today, we shall be teaching on understanding the Church of Jesus Christ on earth. The Church is often misconstrued to be the building in which congregants gather to worship. Jesus makes it clear what the Church is in Matthew 16:18 (NKJV): “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (hell) shall not prevail against it”.
First, we must understand that the Church is Jesus himself. Second, He owns the church. Third, it is not a building, but invisible. Fourth, we are His Church. Jesus tried to demonstrate the deeper meaning of the Church in Jerusalem when He said He could dismantle the massive temple of worship, and rebuild it in three days (John 2:19). Thinking that He was referring to their place of worship, the people took offense. Jesus was telling them that there would be the death of His human body, its transformation into the body of God, and His resurrection three days later. This meant that the church or temple in this case was Jesus Himself, how He would die and resurrect three days later and become that Church that would reign forevermore.
What is the Church and what is its purpose?
The Church came into existence after the coming of Jesus. There was no church in the Old Testament. “Church” or “Ekklesia” (or “Ecclesia”) in Greek means the “gathering of the summoned”, or a group of people that has been called out for a reason. Genesis 12:1-3 enriches our understanding of how a person or a people can be called out or summoned for a purpose, and Colossians 13-14 shows us how we have been called out of darkness unto light. They do not have to have a physical place to gather every day and even if they do, the gathering itself is the Church and it is for a purpose, and not the church house or building.
Matthew 5:14-16 even makes it more succinct: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”.
The Church of Christ is the light of the world. The light that clears out darkness is the word of the Lord, the gospel of Christ, which will set people free. Also, through our ways, words, and works, our light will shine and make other people repent and join us in serving God.
The Church is a way of life. A decent and godly way of life. This way sharply contrasts the way of the scoffers. As believers, we are expected to live above board and stay clear of any contamination through evil communication or relationship with those who do not align with our way of life (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). As a people, who believe in Christ, our relationship and individual or collective behavior should not only glorify God but also show that indeed the Church of Christ is us, over whom the gates of hell cannot prevail. If we refuse to be that solid rock upon which Christ built His Church, the gospel and purpose of the coming of Christ would have been defeated. He came to build His Church through us, and this is the reason that we must uphold that lifestyle that consolidates the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our attitude should be our identity and through our way of life, we shall not only be known but would also win over souls for Him.
A convoluted understanding of the church today is the reason that the average Christian has different personalities: he is a churchgoer who acts holy on Sunday morning; but from Monday to Saturday, he does things that are not Christlike. This is because the church to him, is just another building where everyone puts up an act of holiness in front of the pastor, or where people genuinely seek forgiveness for the sins of the past week before they return to sin for the new week ahead.
You are the temple of the living God. He will live in you and be among you. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). The temple is where God dwells with His people throughout the biblical story. Therefore, if the people of God are the temple, it means it is through these people that God reaches the world. This implies that we must walk the path of righteousness at all times to grow that Church in us and replicate it globally. We are not our own but are called to be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1). The church is the body of Christ, and we are the Church. To make the Church holy, we must be holy. Every believer in Christ is a part of that body and is a temple too.
Who then, is the Head of the Church?
Matthew 16:18 tells us, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church and the powers of death shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). In addition, in Colossians 1:18, we are told that, “…when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He is also the head of the body, the church…” Jesus is the head, the leader of the Church. He summoned Peter and ordained him as the first pastor of the Church. No man can hold or lead the Church. He can manage the building, which holds worshippers, but he cannot hold the Church. No apostles, evangelists, prophets, presiding or resident pastor, bishop or archbishop owns or can lead the Church. They, like Peter, are only ordained to guide the Christian members in accordance with the laws of the leader, Jesus Christ. The leadership of the Church is built on Jesus alone. He is the chief cornerstone.
How do we belong to this Church?
We belong to or obtain the membership of the Church of God first by believing in the gospel of Jesus, receiving Him as our Lord and Savior, and accepting to become the son of God. The only way is to become born again, no more, no less. When you are born again, you sustain your kingdom membership by keeping to all the rules of being born again.
Brethren, to be in the lane toward everlasting redemption, I urge you to accept Jesus Christ today and become a member of this Church, the body of Christ. Accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior today and remain saved. Let your life highlight the godly character of kingdom citizenship, reach out to people around you, and share this truth with them. God bless you in Jesus’ name.
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- Pastor Sam Adelusimo is the Resident Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Chapel of Praise Parish, Northwest Arkansas, United States of America.
