That’s right, the church of Jesus Christ is bigger and larger than your local church! To be solely committed to a local church or denomination and turn blind eye to the real church is a serious cancer in Christendom. To say it in another way; “we are passionately sold out to denominational units, with zero passion towards Christ Church”. Joel Osteen…“You can be committed to Church but not committed to Christ, but you cannot be committed to Christ and not committed to church”
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)
Mark Deverm; “The church is primarily a body of people who profess and give evidence that they have been saved by God’s grace alone, for His glory alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. This is what a New Testament church is; it is not a building. The early Christians didn’t have buildings for almost 300 years after the church began. The collection of people committed to Christ in a local area constitutes a church”. For over a thousand years, the Church has suffered under the excruciating pain of dogmas, denominational-ism, self centeredness and the pettiness, which so much divides us. Until we drop our unholy whip which has left painful scars of bitterness, division, isolation, rejection, mediocrity, stagnation and the personal vendetta, on our backs, we cannot be healed of our chronic spiritual ailment.
In summer of 2013, we threw an invitation to the christian community and the public, in the spirit of faith and brotherhood, for our annual spirit life picnic, to come and enjoy variety of food, fellowship, fun, and to connect with the community, all for the joy of Christ. A woman from a different Church or denomination was invited through our Facebook page. I felt very shocked for her response on Facebook. She wrote; “Would love to but I got Church”. We are one body. It is very unfortunate, how many people misunderstand the concept of Church. They consider the Church to mean their denominational affiliations and buildings. Friend, you and I are the Church of Jesus Christ. Christ is delighted with our magnificent buildings, where His beloved children are fed with the truth. His greatest satisfaction is not our buildings and programs. His contentment is found in me and you.
Martin Luther….”The church is not wood and stones, but rather, the company of people who believe in Christ”.
We are called into one faith, and we must endeavor to maintain the bond of unity in the Spirit. Apostle Paul writes to the Church at Ephesus, and this is what he had to say;3 Endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:3-6 KJV)
There is no difference between the church in Africa or China, neither is there any difference between the Church on A street or M street. We are called into one body and function from the supernatural grace of the same spirit. Our hope and faith is in one God and Father of all. Friend, He is in us all. The kind of Church scripture paints is a family of one. Glory! The tide is shifting on us! We are the Nehemiah Generation, called forth to repair broken walls and build bridges which will bring us closer to each other to fulfill the Master’s task, on the common ground as family of Christ and not denominational enemies. Let us throw our denominational schisms and pull staff and financial resources to help our struggling brethren, who only need a push in the back. When we understand the big picture of God’s heart towards His Church, we will see the local and the universal Church from a different platform than the one we have been standing on over the years.
I was on my way to the picnic grounds with my wife as I mentioned earlier. We received a phone call from one of my Church leaders, who informed me that an unknown Church had already set up for picnic on the shelter we have booked for almost four months, prior to the day. I was very calm even though we have publicized this particular shelter through so many medium; inviting friends from the community and those coming from out of State. I told my wife, this is not any issue to be worried about, since it’s a Church of Jesus Christ, we can probably join hands with them and have fun, as brothers and sisters in Christ. I kept driving with no worries about all the inconveniences this will create, until another call came which made it clear to me that the picnic coordinator made an awful mistake when she did the booking . When I got to the picnic grounds, the other Church was already grilling, around 10:30 am.
Charles Spurgeon …“A church that does not exist to reclaim heathenism, to fight evil, to destroy error, to put down falsehood, a church that does not exist to take the side of the poor, to denounce injustice and to hold up righteousness is a church that has no right to be. Not for yourself, O church, do you exist, any more than Christ existed for Himself”.
To make long story short, they were so willing for us to join them and have fun together as a family but the problem had already been solved by the facility managers of the park. This gesture from this family (church) was exactly what Christ would have done if He was the Pastor of that Church. They had a proper perspective of what Church is. It’s not about your creed, color or race. It’s all about a family of God, with Jesus Christ as its first-born. The joys and elevation of other brethren should be your delight, whether you know them or not.
Seeking the well-being of other believers is a culture of Christ. Sharing the burdens of others and keeping them in prayer or using your resources to help them stand through the test of time should be our priority, without any strings attached. Most leaders of our time has created a form of cult religion around their denominations. Many, out of carnality have become like rappers, competing for the spot light. They will do anything in their own power to bring down any ministry or church they consider as threat to their empire. They are fighting for prime-time radio and TV spots with huge sums of money, all in the name of catapulting a denomination, and not a kingdom. As sad and chronic as it may look; God is raising a generation of believers who will raise up high the unity banner of Christ. High above denominational lines, color of the skin, race, culture, creed, economic status and nationality, to accept one another and uphold the gospel of Jesus Christ with unquenchable passion. This is the new breed of believers! Will you join the army?
– Copyright 2014 |™GOG|McDaniels Gyamfi| ®Revealing Jesus Revival –
Sign me up!! 🙂
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You are already in, Paul. You demonstrate a true church of Jesus Christ. I thank God always for your life, for being a gift to the kingdom. Have a great weekend!
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Preach!!!
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Thanks, Lika. Have a blessed weekend!!
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This was a very good article on how we must love and treat each other with respect.
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Love is the message and the message is love. God bless you my dear sister
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I’m thankful for discovering your blog. You’re writing my thoughts. I’m definitely in the new breed believer’s army!
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It depend on which angle we look at it from. Just as Jesus is, so is His Church. Bless
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Marvelous. That was super instructive. Just wanted to say thanks…
Looking forward to your next piece of work. ( Please post faster
haha)
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