OceanSide church of Christ

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HOW MUCH DOES THE CHURCH MEAN TO YOU?

Victor M. Eskew

 

            The church of Christ is the eternal plan of God.  Paul expresses this truth in Ephesians 3:8-11.  He writes:  “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things in Jesus Christ:  to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Note the words:  “the eternal purpose.”  The church is not a stop-gap measure in the redemption of man.  No.  Even before the foundations of the world were laid, the church was planned in the mind of God.  It is the precious institution for which His marvelous Son shed His blood.  In Acts 20:28, Paul was speaking to the elders of the church in Ephesus.  He told them “to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”  In Ephesians 5:25, Paul tells us that Jesus “loved the church, and gave himself for it.”

            In this article, we are asking the question:  “How much does the church mean to you?”  Those who truly understand the church would respond:  “The church means a lot to me.”  This is especially true as they view the church from a universal perspective.  The church is the collective unit of all “the called, the elect, the chosen” throughout the entire world.  The Lord calls men through the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14).  Those who hear the call and respond in obedience to it become “the church,” that is, “the called out ones.”  They are the ones who are delivered out of the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col. 1:13). 

The church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23).  The church is the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16-17).  The church is the vineyard of the Lord (Matt. 20:21).  The church is the Lord’s mighty army warring spiritual warfare in an evil world (1 Tim 6:12).  The church is the kingdom of God (Matt. 16:18-29).  The church is the Good Shepherd’s sheepfold (John 10:16).  The church is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:21-33).  The church is the household of God (1 Tim. 3:15).  All of these descriptions of the church, and others, cause individuals to appreciate and admire the Lord’s church.  They exalt the church.  They speak of the relationships that exist in the church.  They reveal the nature and work of the church.  The more one learns about this great institution, the more he stands amazed by it.

Yes, individuals are impressed and “ooh” and “ahh” about the church universal.  Now, however, we ask the question again:  “How much does the church mean to you?”  Our focus, however, turns now to the local congregation of which you are a part.  The universal church is divided into small bodies of autonomous congregations scattered throughout the world.  These small bodies are microcosms of the church universal.  When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he called them “the body of Christ” in 1 Corinthians 12:27.  “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”  It is the same church described in the opening three paragraphs of this article, but this body functions in a community, or town, or city.  It is under the oversight of a group of men called overseers, elders, or shepherds (1 Pet. 5:1-3).  The church comes together for worship (Heb. 10:25).  It is involved in evangelism, edification, and benevolence in an attempt to build up the body of Christ in their area and around the world. 

Are you as inspired about the local church as you are the universal church?  Do you “ooh” and “ahh” over it?  Remember, it is the part of the universal church.  Sadly, many members are not as proud of the local church as they are the universal church.  They attend the worship services haphazardly.  They will often choose worldly events over the events of the church.  They do not use their talents in their local congregation.  They fail to give to the work as they have been prospered by God.  They look for all of the problems to be found in the church.  They are extremely critical of leadership.  They find fault with their brothers and sisters in Christ.  They blame the church for not meeting their needs, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.  They never seek to be a solution to a problem.  They often speak of the church negatively to others.  They certainly do not go out of their way trying to bring the lost to Jesus through their local congregation.

One wonders why Christians develop such a disgust for the local church.  We realize that the local church is not perfect.  It is composed of imperfect people.  This certainly can cause difficulties from time to time.  But, imperfect people are found in all institutions.  Most people are able to work and labor with great productivity in spite of the imperfections.   So, why can’t members of the church do the same?  Could it be that the real problem is not with ehe church, but it is withinse the heart of the Christian.  He has allowed Satan to poison his heart against the body of Christ.  Satan will allow you to go through the motions within the local church as long as you do nothing for the church.  In fact, he knows that if he can turn you against the local congregation, you can be used to bring about its destruction.  You will seek to sour every good thing the local congregation does. 

Dear reader, the local congregation is authorized by the Almighty God.  He sees and knows every local congregation by its name:  OceanSide, Jacksonville Beach, Arlington, Dean Road, Lake Forest, Mandarin, Chaffee Road, etc. (See Rev. 2-3).  He knows every member of each congregation by name (John 10:3; 2 Tim. 2:19).  He is constantly monitoring the actions of every member in the local church (See Rev. 2:13).  He knows those who are alive.  He knows those who are dead.  He knows those who are the wheat.  He knows those who are the chaff.  He knows the assets.  He knows the troublers.  He knows those who seek to be vibrant in His service in the local congregation.  He knows those who are sluggish, slothful, and lazy.  God will hold each one accountable to his calling (Rom. 14:12). 

Each one of us will do well in the year 2023 to develop a positive attitude toward our local congregation.  Too, we should make up our minds that we will fully engage in the worship and work of the local church.  God ordained the local bodies of believers.  He expects us to turn the world upside down through this holy and divine group.  Let’s not disappoint Him.  Let’s all help OceanSide be what God intends for it to be in 2023.