Jesus loves His bride, the church, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. Church is not a building but a Biblical gathering of the saints for Jesus that often meet in a building. The building is a practical place that Christians choose to gather, inspired by the early church in Acts that used homes, synagogues and temples depending on the size gathered. The church institution is a foundational gift from Jesus and for Jesus, just like the marriage institution is a gift from Him as well. Both institutions will always be hated and opposed by the enemy. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, wisdom by the Holy Spirit, on how to gather as the early church even when under spiritual attack. Paul encouraged Timothy to find church leaders where they value the things Christ values. The Holy Spirit empowers and placed the apostle, teacher, prophet, pastor and evangelist to equip the saints for ministry in their home and community. Many believers today experience the greatest miracles and ministry happening in their home and the world’s marketplace. God loves to equip His children for ministry in the home and marketplace by encouraging them with other believers who faithfully gather. The enemy knows this and wants to isolate believers from gathering with family and their community and each other. When Jesus is the head of any institution, generations are protected and grown healthy and the institution has and is valued. Even the institution of marriage, when Jesus is the head of a marriage, marriage will be highly valued by the next generation. We enjoy seeing a generation rising up that values marriage and the church!
As saints, we can faithfully gather together as different body parts with an overflow of gratitude and worship toward Jesus, worshipping as His bride. The gathering of the saints is a foundational gift from Jesus for many believers to stand beside other believers in action, growing in love and encouraging one another what the Lord values. Jesus values the gathering of the saints to encourage one another and everything He values has great value. He is worthy to be the center of every conversation and worthy of the center of our praise all week long!
Let me ask you this…… Is the marriage institution a gift to us from Jesus?…..absolutely! Can we be a gift to our marriage for Jesus?…. this is healthy growth and maturity. Is the church institution a gift to us from Jesus?….. absolutely! Can we be a gift to our church for Jesus?…..this is healthy growth and maturity.
The same people who were hurt by a toxic marriage will often tear down the institution of marriage if they are not healed by Jesus. There are wounded Christians tearing down the church today because of real hurts caused by unhealthy actions in church. Ask Jesus, the head of the church, today for healing and His eyes to see the gathering of the saints as a gift from Him that is valuable.
1 Timothy 3:10-15 NLT
10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Equipping Disciples of Jesus to Receive, Give and Serve In Grace,
Brandon Pollard
http://www.graceforeternity.com
brandonpollard 