Orange Moon Sunday, June 19, 2022 "Go To Church?"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"Go To Church?"

   It is Sunday.  However, none of us will "go to church" today.

   Now let me set your minds at ease.  I mean nothing controversial, challenging, or silly by a claim that seems an obvious misrepresentation of reality.  I rather seek to suggest a blessed truth that helps us to grow in the realization of who and what we are as believers in our present lives.

   "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus, who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house" (Romans 16:3-5).

   Note the distinction between "the church" and the locale where it met, "their house."  This speaks to the truth that the Bible defines the church not as a place, or a structure, or an organized program and protocol.  Certainly, all these are characteristics, features, and tools of the church.  Believers meet in any number of various structures designated as the location where the church convenes.  We also seek to function together for mutual edification, and ministry to the world.  However, the church itself consists of a greater and more personal reality than place and program.

    "Christ is the head of the church… the church is His body, the fullness of Him which filleth all in all" (Ephesians 5:23; 1:22-23).

   The church of the Lord Jesus is, in its truest sense, a Person spiritually united to innumerable other persons who reside either in Heaven or upon the earth.  "Ekklesia," the Greek root word for church, means "called out citizens."  First, our Head, the Lord Jesus, was called out from the world by death, resurrection, and ascension unto His Heavenly seat upon the throne of grace.  He then calls out all who trust His saving grace by revealing to us our truest citizenship in Heaven (Philippians 3:20).  The Lord Jesus and His people - this is the church, wherever it may be found in gatherings of a few or many.  Realizing this truth helps us to better know the truth, and also to recognize that we take Christ and His church wherever we go as His people.  We function far more effectively in the light of such truth, and the locales, assemblies, and programs where we gather will be greatly benefitted as we go forth as the church more literally than go to church.  

    Don't worry.  I'm not going to fuss at you if you say you are going to church.  I'll say the same myself in times to come, no doubt.  We do well, however, to understand Biblical truth and terminology as correctly as possible.  Realization of our privileged calling to be the church wherever we are greatly empowers us to bring Christ to wherever our Heavenly Father leads us.  I'll close now.  I have to go to church in just a bit.  :):):)

"Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

(Ephesians 3:21)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place.

(II Corinthians 2:14)

   

  

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