Daily Devotional For Tuesday, March 23, 2024

Well, today is terrific Tuesday and as I think about it, it is a great day to be part of the church, and it is the church that Jesus Christ died and rose from the grave to establish. There are many people who say, “I don’t need to be part of a church” and if they are a genuine Christians, then they are giving a rebuke to Jesus for establishing the church. There are those who say, “There are hypocrites in the church” and guess what, they would be right. Yet, there are hypocrites everywhere. The very same people who say this do not avoid going to school, or college, or the grocery store or to work or to a sports event and more because all of these have hypocrites. 

There are no perfect people anywhere and that is why the church is the ideal place to be. The church is a “spiritual hospital” for spiritually sick people. We all need someone who is there for us. We were never meant to go through life alone. We are better together. The Bible says this in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12: 

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. (10) If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble . . .  (12) A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (NLT).

The church is not an organization, but an organism. The church is not just a fellowship, but a family. The church is not a building, but a body. The church is not a location, but a living entity. The church is the Bride of Christ. It draws its life through its Founder Jesus Christ. The church is not a social club for perfect people, but a sanctuary for sinners. I understand why so many people misunderstand what the church is due to the number of scandals that have been associated with it and the TV evangelists who have used it to get rich and build their own kingdom, not Jesus’ Christ’ kingdom such as Jim & Tammy Faye Baker, Jerry Swaggert, Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Jesse Duplantis, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Joseph Prince, and Steve Furtick. 

Jesus said on the Day of Judgment many will hear Him either say one or the other of these two statements to them in Matthew 25:40, 45 “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me! . . .  (45) I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help Me” (NLT). In other words, how we treat one another is how we treat Jesus Christ. 

The Bible says the church is the Bride of Christ. Can you imagine someone saying, “I want to get married, but I never want to have anything to do with my spouse.” That would not be a marriage. There would not even be a relationship between the two. One of the last things Jesus said to His disciples is found in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (20) Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (NLT).

You have to ask yourself: why would Jesus command His followers to make disciples? For what reason? The Greek New Testament word translated as “disciple” is [μαθητεύω, matheteuo] and it literally refers to “someone who sits at the feet of a spiritual teacher.” One of the best ways to do that is being part of a local church. The Bible says this in Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (25) And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (NLT). 

This is something no one who calls themselves a Christian can avoid, ignore or neglect to do. There is nowhere in the Bible that God allows His children to disengage from the church that He died and rose from the grave to establish. So what should one do?

1. If it is sin that is keeping you from the church, repent now. We all are sinners and one of the best ways you prove you really love Jesus Christ is to engage in a local body of Christians or a church. Jesus said this in John 13:35, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples” (NLT).
2. If you have been sinned against and your feelings hurt, even if it was intentional, forgive. Jesus Christ says this in Ephesians 4:31-32, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. (32) Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (NLT). Jesus said this in Matthew 6:15, “If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (NLT). Every single Christian will always need forgiveness from Jesus Christ for their present and future sins. Jesus makes no exceptions here: you refuse to forgive an offense, then God will not forgive your offense (sin) against Him. No ifs, ands or buts about it.
3. If you feel you must leave a church, make sure it is over biblical and doctrine purity. Separation from a failed congregation must not result in rejection of church life. Instead, we must find another local church that still strives to be obedient to Christ, one that faithfully preaches His truth. If there are none near you, you may need to travel far. You might even need to consider starting a new congregation. But do not make it a habit to be a “church hopper.” Accept Jesus’ emphasis and biblical truth that all of us need in Hebrews 10:25a, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing . . .” (NIV). Notice we are commanded not to give up the habit of being part of a local church. 
4. If you are not party of a local church, do not seek a church that is compatible with you. Seek a church that is biblical. 
   • You want to be part of a church that believes 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (17) God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work” (NLT). You want to be part of a church that believes the Bible is inerrant, infallible and inspired by God. 
   • You want to be part of a church that preaches “Christ crucified and resurrected”            (1 Corinthians 1:23). That preaches Jesus Christ is the only way, truth and life”.        (John 14:6). Jesus made it clear that those who think “all roads lead to heaven” are believing a lie. God is very clear — good people do not get into heaven (Romans 3:10-12) — only those who have received His grace by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). 
   • Remember that Jesus also commanded the church to remember His death and burial through The Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-32). You can’t really do this obediently and biblically if you are not part of a local church. Note the warning to not take The Lord's Supper in a manner that desecrates it. Are their exceptions? A few, for example, those who are homebound or in the hospital or nursing homes can still take Communion, but it is the church who comes to them and includes them in this celebration. 
   • Remember, Jesus commanded His church to “baptize” new believers in Matthew 28:19.   Are there exceptions? Yes. For example, you may lead someone to Christ and they want to be baptize immediately. It does not have to be done in a church building. Baptism can occur in a pond, or lake or river or the ocean as long as it is complete immersion. 

I am not biased for the church because I am a pastor. I am biased because Jesus was crucified, died, buried and rose from the grave to establish the church. How can anyone who claims they love Jesus Christ reject such love He offers through His church? 

Scripture to Meditate On: Romans 12:4-5, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, (5) so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other” (NLT). 

Prayer to Pray: “Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me so much that You established the church. I know there are not perfect churches, but I do know the Founder, You, is perfect. Forgive me when I do not want to attend, serve or be part of the church You died in a horrible way to establish. Forgive me for being so judgmental because I know I am not perfect nor sinless. Help me to jump right in and make a difference in the lives of others through the Gospel and the indwelling presence and power of Your Holy Spirit for Your glory through Your church. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside! — Pastor Kelly