The church is Composed of Real People

Last week, this author took notice of a billboard, while he travelled in Orlando, FL. The billboard was promoting a “non-denominational” church in the area. It was not the promotion which caused him to take notice as many congregations do that. It was the tag-line which was on the billboard. It basically read, “A church made of real people.” Interesting thought. This congregation was made of real people as opposed to mannequins. Understandably, the point being made is that this congregation was made of devoted people as opposed to those who come to worship but are “fake” in their love for God.

Take that thought away from the denominational and let us make it towards the church found in the Bible and we have a true statement. “The church is made of real people.” “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls…Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:41, 47). The Lord added something to the church. What did He add? People. What kind of people are in the church?

The church is composed of Forgiven People. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38) For a moment focus on the phrase “remission of sins.” If these individuals would repent of their sins and be baptized, they would receive the remission of sins. The word remission means “forgiveness, deliverance.” Those who were added to the church had their sins forgiven.

                                                                     

The church is composed of Washed People “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Notice that some of the members of the church at Corinth had at one time committed the actions which Paul mentions in this verse. BUT they had been washed, set apart for God’s holy purpose, and made just in the eyes of God. This washing occurred when they came in contact with water in baptism (Acts 22:16, 2:38).

The church is composed of Saved People. “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47). Those who willing make the decision to obey the gospel of Christ are “saved.” That is they are put in the place of spiritual safety, which is the church.

The church is composed of Imperfect People. Those who are added to the Lord’s body are not perfectly sinless until they day in which they die. Thankfully, the Lord is still forgiving of those who are His, even when they commit sin (1 John 1:7-10).

The Lord’s church is composed of people. Are you a member of that church?

Reminders From the Iron Bowl

This past Saturday was one of the most important football games of the year IF you are a fan of Alabama or Auburn. Believe it or not, this game takes precedent over the national championship game. The purpose of this article is not to discuss whether or not one team is better than the other or who should have one. Rather I’d like to discuss a few things I was reminded of while I watched the end of the game.

1.       Christians could accomplish much if their zeal for the church matched that of college football. As soon as the game ended Facebook was either filled with pomp and circumstance or sulking. While there is nothing wrong with rooting for our favorite team I cannot help but wonder why so many individuals choose to live and die by a football game. The early Christians literally lived and died for the cause of Christ. Why? There is something better than a football game which awaits Christians. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:7-8). Do not let a sport overshadow your love of Christ and lost souls.

2.      The Importance of Being Prepared. I can tell you one of the main reasons why the game winning touchdowns was scored. It was a lack of preparation on the part of the opposing team. Alabama was not prepared for the possibility of Auburn returning a failed field goal and lost the game. There are too many who are unprepared for the future return of Christ. “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” (1 Thess. 5:2). Christ is not going to schedule the time which is best for our schedules. He will come at a time in which many people will be unprepared. Will you be one of them?

3.      Joy Comes to the Victor. No one likes to be on the losing side. While it is just a game one cannot help but feel a little low after a loss. Why? There is joy found by being on the winning side. All one has to do is look at the aftermath of the game and see that even the most humble of losers were unhappy. Christians and Non-Christians alike should be reminded of where victory is found. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1. Cor. 15:57). Thanks to Christ those who are obedient to His Will can enjoy the joy that comes with victory. Victory over sin, death, and the world.

Maybe there is someone reading this who is not a Christian but is interesting in becoming one. Remember that true faith comes from God’s Word (Rom. 10:17). One has to believe that Word (Heb. 11:6) and repent of their sins (Luke 13:3). That same one also has to be willing to confess Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 8:37) and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16). Remember the need of being prepared and how joy comes to those who are victorious.

Thought of the Week: Reason for the Season

During this time of year I always hear people say, “Remember the reason for the season.” The reason is Christ and the season is the “Christmas” time of year. While it is admirable to try to remind others of the importance of Christ I have to ask one simple question. Why just give Him a season? Why not give Him your life? “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). He’s not the reason for the season. He’s the reason for salvation. He’s the reason for sanctification. He should be our everything and not someone we give special place to for one month out of the year.

Thought of the Week: Don't Judge a Book

A person may go to a bookstore and buy something solely based on the cover. There is no knowledge of the author or the content. The outside looks good. To quell the practice of buying books based solely on the outside cover some bookstores have begun wrapping books in brown paper and writing the genre on the outside. It keeps individuals from passing unnecessary judgment on otherwise good books. This should serve as a reminder that while someone can look one way on the outside the heart of that person could be completely different. Do not allow the color of one’s skin, the sex of a person, the family tree, physical stature, or otherwise cause you to place a unjust judgment on an individual. We are not the ones who automatically know what is inside. “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:for the Lord seeth not as man seeth;  for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7).

A Love Letter

A preacher once spoke to his students about “love letters.” He spoke of a soldier aboard a ship in the middle of the sea who received letters from the woman he loved. He asked his students this question, “When the soldier would receive a letter would he read it quickly and discard the letter as soon as soon as he was done?” The students readily agreed the soldier would not. The soldier would keep the letters, read them slowly and carefully, and reread the letters at every opportunity. He then asked the students how they treated God’s Word. It may be easy to ask, “What does this have to do with ‘love letters’?” The answer is everything.

From cover to cover the Bible speaks of God’s love to mankind. This is His “love letter” to His creation. It is within its pages that we read of God’s Love being showed in different ways:

Through His Son: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Romans 3:24-25).

By Being a Father: Although He was spurned by them, He was a Father to the Israelites. “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” (Hosea 11:1). He is the Father of Christians. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” (1 John 3:1).

By Guiding Us: This book tells mankind everything one needs to know in order to live a right life in the sight of God. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). That includes His warnings.

By His Willingness to Forgive: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us- ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).

How do you treat the Bible? Do you treat it like a love letter or the daily paper? Something you cherish or something to be discarded? God has shown His love for you. Will you show yours for Him?