What is the Church?
As a child, I learned this little rhyme along with hand motions that went: “Here’s the church, Here’s the steeple. Open the doors and here’s all the people.” It used to be that you could have a church worship service and all the people would show up. However, today the poem would be more accurately said this way: “Here’s the church, Here’s the steeple. Open the doors and where are the people?”
But what if: the local church really is the best thing going and the hope for the world? Many people misunderstand what the church is supposed to be both inside and outside the church. This keeps them from experiencing the fullness of its potential in their lives.
[bctt tweet=”When you love people, you can’t keep people away from a church like that. You would have to lock the doors to keep people away when they know that you love them.” username=”colephillips”]
The Church is a Body.
[bctt tweet=”The church is a Body, not a business or a building. The Body of Christ is living, breathing, active, and growing. ” username=”colephillips”]
So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:5
In the New Testament, there’s no such thing as a believer who doesn’t belong in the body.
The Church is a House.
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the house of God, and that the Spirit of God lives among you in his house? 1 Corinthians 3:16 (TLB)
The Church is a Family.
God places the lonely in families; Psalm 68:6
[bctt tweet=”Being a part of a church is not about having your name on the role. It’s having a role to play in God’s story of life-change.” username=”colephillips”]
And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. 1 Peter 3:8 (TLB)
The Church is a Family Where…
Jesus gave us our marching orders in the Great Commission:
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. Matthew 28:19-20
We exist to reach people with the life-changing power of Jesus!
Everyone is Invited.
[bctt tweet=”The church exists for the sake of those who aren’t here yet.” username=”colephillips”]
Everyone is Included.
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27
Welcome people into your home and don’t grumble about it. 1 Peter 4:9 (CEV)
[bctt tweet=”Every weekend, the church is a family expecting guests.” username=”colephillips”]
Everyone is Important.
In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 1 Corinthians 12:22
Everyone is Invested.
There is a huge ROI in your home. The same is true for the House of God. You invest in the House through your time, treasure, and talents. What kind of equity do you have in the house? What kind of equity do you have in the local church?
Everyone is Involved.
Being a part of the Body, the House, and the Family of God is not a spectator sport.