GOD'S WAY OF BUILDING A CHURCH

I am wary of movements.  Behind every movement is an agenda, a human agenda.  Then there’s organization, fund raising, and a lot of time and energy to get the movement moving forward.  Often the movement itself takes precedent over reason for the movement itself.  I see this in worldly organizations and in church organizations.   Things begin pure but quickly get adulterated.  I have seen many wonderful and well intentioned people, who want to make church more relevant in the world today begin these movements.  I have seen many of these movements fail leaving people shipwrecked and blaming God for all the confusion.  It is sad but true, but too many times we think we have a better plan than God for His church.  Rather than surveying people about what they want in a church, I think it might be more constructive to ask God to remind us of His plan; one that is substantial, seasoned, and sustainable.

GOD’S PLAN

I (Jesus) will build MY church.

I am the Christ the Son of the Living God. The rock upon which the church

                                                                    will be built. 

GOD’S OBJECTIVES

1. Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made

   him (Jesus) both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

2. Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness

   of your sins.  Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

3. Save yourselves from this crooked generation.

4. Devote yourselves to the Apostles teaching, fellowship of breaking of

    bread, and prayers.  Have all things in common as any has need.  Praise

    God. Have favor with all people.

RESULTS

AND THE LORD ADDED TO THEIR NUMBERS

THOSE WHO WERE BEING SAVED.

This probably is difficult to do in our “Post Modern” World today.  Why?

No right or wrong -> no need of repentance

                             -> no need of forgiveness

Redefining right and wrong

In “our” time.   -> Not from a timeless eternal God

                            -> personal preferences

                           -> personal agendas

                           -> political correctness

No repentance; no forgiveness:             Therefore no need for Jesus

No right or wrong; no Absolute Truth:   Therefore no need for God

No God…No Jesus ->  Void & Chaos…Back to the Beginning