Recently I spoke to someone about what our purpose as a church was. I gave my best biblical answer as to what we were doing and how we were putting Christ first, then all things after that, like winning the lost and edifying the church. You know seek ye first the kingdom! Finding out what the king is doing! But something’s been stirring in my spirit lately that I understand but wanted to dig in the word for more before I speak. Sometimes we seek what we think is the kingdom. We find causes and purposes. I knew that the church is to win the lost and to edify each other and everyone to fall into their own place doing what they are called to do. But there’s something missing. The power of God. Christ In the gospels and the early church had power. The kingdom of God is not in word but in Power. 1Cor 4:20 It was the miracles and signs that drew people among other things. Do you think that some new form of religion would have taken off like that without a living Word? Some new doctrines and psychology? No… God moved with healings and miracles and teachings that had power in them, making the thoughts of men known and healing them. Gods shows his power because He loves us. It’s the demonstration of His love to draw us to Him and to the church.
We are doing a home church and with all the talk of “doing biblical church” everywhere, you can still wind up with a church that is dry or one that gets outa control! Just think if your church, with one speaker, disappoints you sometimes, then put 15 people in a room and you can have a big dry discussion that goes off on rabbit trails,sometimes, and all the same troubles could be multiplied. When the Spirit moves it can be beautiful though, but that’s another sermon. I notice though how easy it is to have discussions, and God is in some of them. I see Him edifying us. But the awkwardness of being in a home church leads to to many discussions. In my heart I know there needs to be more going on than discussions. The body of Christ needs to operate in the Spirit and their gifts. Teaching, prophesy, healing..etc.. Many times we try to do things biblically, but wind up still, with little move of God. Whether you are at a home church or traditional church, we need Gods presense power. We need to wait on Him till heaven hits earth. Every celebrated revival did this. It starts with prayer and seeking. Whatever it takes and then God begins to move.
So God had begun to lay on my heart this sermon on “focusing on drawing close to Christ.” This must be the church’s first goal. To many are trying to do works like they see in famous stories, but with no power. Or just trying to do church works. All kinds of churches feel like they have to keep some kinda “action” going on in church. Then sometimes they are in the flesh trying to act out the works of the Spirit. They stick to teaching and mens programs because they don't have to move in the Spirit to be a good speaker and have programs. Not that God doesn't use programs and teaching. God sometimes moves here and there, but we need the river!!! And not a map of the river. We need to get into the ocean and stop playing along the shore, telling people that we are swimming. We need to stop trying to climb every mountain, Cause “my Jesus in the tulips” is helping me, and pray til we get power to move a few mountains! I’m not saying not to do any works. I’m not saying to forsake works until you find power. But to many have not sought God. TO many are teaching DO this and DO that and the biblical example has always been to let God do through us, what we could never do. IF we are not found IN HIM we are sure to be shallow and low on life giving power to DO!
When God’s power comes, edifying the church becomes better. Not just feeding on the Word which is great, but the Word Himself(Jesus) speaks to us and through us and guides us supernaturally. We go to places in God in seconds that would normally take years.
When God comes, winning the lost goes from 3 converts a year to hundreds a week. If you have a church full of Christians that came from another church, that came from another church, that came from another…etc NOW you will have real converts. It would be a nice problem to have, and a wonder.
When God is near, teaching will not fall on deaf ears. Sinners will be pricked to the hearts, sin in the church as well, words of knowledge, prophesies and answers to peoples needs will come, people will come and come and come to Christ because we are lifting Him up, lifting up His example in His WORD. Nothing else is right. Draw near to Him and He, will draw near to you!
We aren’t going to convince people to Christ so easily at this slow pace, that the church is at. The reason the bible, as a whole, is FULL of miracles is because that is what God wants us be…FULL of miracles and the glory of God on us. Look at the bible….from cover to cover…miracles and signs, as well as doctrine and life. How can you say that Gods power is not for today, how can you stay as a ship in dry dock with no water! God has been a jealous God in your life and let many of your plans fail because you have not spent the time on your knees, not searched for Him with all your heart. You may have let your gifts go dry. Stir them up again! 'stir up the gift of God that is in you" Covet the best gifts.1 Cor 12:31 Covet to prophesy 1 Cor 14:39
Pray until God comes. Pray without ceasing. 1Thes 5:17 Build your most holy faith by praying in the Spirit. The effective FERVENT prayer of a righteous man avails much. And So .... the Purpose of the Church is to, FIRST, be found ministering to God, THEN ministering to man. Christ will draw people and use us to do great works. Then the longing will be satisfied, that we have, to see God's glory in the church again.
All this is summed up in this scripture. Jhn 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Greg
