Online Devotions: No Place Like The Church

Sunday, September 18, 2016

No Place Like The Church

September 18 (Ephesians 4:11-12)

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. (ESV)

There is no organization of human origin that can equal the church. For redemption, salvation, healing, comfort, education, knowledge, truth, service, and restoration, there is no organization of human origin that equal the church. There are human organizations that may address one or more of these things, but there is not one that addresses the totality of human need, both earthly and eternal.

Does that seem like a bold claim? It is not. Our individual churches may fall short of the mark, but the body of Christ on earth, the church, stretching across the globe and across two millennia, is unequalled, and the reason is simple. The church is not an organization of human origin. It is a divine calling of people established by Jesus Himself. It began when Jesus said to Peter, “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

So that leads us to consider the particular churches we call home. Are we small but complete microcosms of the body of Christ? Are we, as best we can with the gifts given to the people of our churches, doing all that God asks of us? Are we imitating the works of the first churches? If we are anything less than all God has equipped us to be, we not only fail the work of Christ, but we set a poor example to the world of what the church truly is.

Jesus, You have given me so many gifts. I do not want to keep them in their package as I sit in my church seeking only to be fed with music and teaching. Help me to use what You have given me with other brothers and sisters to make disciples of You and launch them into Your work in this world. Amen.

No comments:

Post a Comment

While I welcome comments, even those that disagree with something I have written, I will delete any comment that is profane, vulgar, threatening, or in poor taste.

History of Online Devotions

In January of 1999, I began the Online Devotions with the teens of the church we were attending. Each week they would receive a verse of Scripture, a short reflection, and a prayer. Over the years others subscribed to this email list, and soon the Online Devotions were going out to people across the country and beyond.

In 2007 I published in book format a collection called Desert Days: Forty Devotions for Men.

After suggestions from several readers, I launched in 2010 the Online Devotions blog. Devotions are still available each week by email, and if you would like to subscribe, please indicate so in the comment box.

As I have always said, if one of these devotions touches you, you can be sure it was from God. If one leaves you flat, then there was too much of me in it.