THE LORD'S CHURCH

My thought process relating to the church of Jesus Christ has been shaped by the biblical teaching of the church. Here’s my position about the church…IT’S THE LORD’S CHURCH, PERIOD!

My position of the church being the Lord’s church did not just come from my biblical understanding of the church but it has been strengthened with life experiences. Some 15years ago, as a pastor, I tried to work my plan for which I convinced myself it was God’s plan. Needless to say, my plan did not work because it was not God’s plan for His church. By the time I figured it out it was too late. The wheel started turning in the wrong direction and I couldn’t stop it I just had to ride along with it.

What a heartbreaking experience!

When I left the church, I made a commitment to God that I will never again get ahead of what He wants to do in the life of His church.

Why?

Because, it’s the Lord’s church…PERIOD!

Therefore, my biblical conviction about the church governs my style of ministry.

•          The Power of The Church - “I don’t have any reason to brag about preaching the good news. Preaching is something God told me to do, and if I don’t do it, I am doomed. If I preach because I want to, I will be paid. But even if I don’t want to, it is still something God has sent me to do.” – 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 – (CEV). I believe Jesus Christ is the central message of the church and everything we do in ministry should direct people to Him for salvation. Nothing can replace the impact of the preaching of God’s word in His church. I preach because I’m called not because I have to. My responsibility is to educate, equip, and encourage believers with the Word of God. It is the preaching/teaching of biblical principles that strengthens church programs in line with God’s plan.

•          The Purpose of the Church - “Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28: 19-20 - Why should we speak of the Great Commission as being the church’s primary passion? The Great Commission is the church’s biblical focus for reaching the world. The Great Commission ensures the church with supernatural empowerment to reach the world. The Great Commission assures balance in discipleship making with reaching, assimilating, and teaching in this world.

•          The People of the Church - “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men… for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2: 1-4 – I believe membership is more than a name on the church role. The church is a place baptized believers sharing in a common bond together. Membership is active participation in all areas of church life for the benefit of others and the glory of God. God has saved each person for specific role in His church to operate in a unique design He picked for you to do what no other person can do like you.

•          The Practice of the Church - “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,  and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church[a] daily those who were being saved” – Acts 2:42-47.  It takes the five (5) basic food groups to maintain a healthy body. The NT church has left for us the five (5) basic practice groups to maintain a healthy church body in EVANGELISM, WORSHIP, MINISTRY, FELLOWSHIP, and DISCIPLESHIP. Teaching these areas to membership to practice in their daily lives will in turn produce a healthy corporate lifestyle in the church.

When it’s all said and done, Jesus said it best in His conversation with His disciples…

“Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it”. – Matthew 16:17-18