CWW Week 26 - Day 7 - What Is Church?
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Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love
and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as
you see the Day approaching.”
— This passage underscores the importance of fellowship and
regular gathering together as believers. The church is not just a
spiritual family but a support network for growth and
encouragement.
As we see Bible prophesy being fulfilled every day and the
tentacles of evil spreading further and further, it may be time to
pose a very important question.
Will church survive?
We need to redefine how we see church in the future. If you are a
member of a corporate denominational church, what do you think
might happen if your corporate denomination was shut down by
law? What would happen to the body of believers?
I have posed this question to many in recent months and the
answers were most interesting. Everyone says yes, that the church
would survive through the fellowship of believers. Some indicated
that it might probably function much better without all the
corporate interference.
Clearly many denominations if not all have let down their
congregations in the pandemic years. Hearts have been broken.
Without doubt many Bible believing Christians see that the
corporate church has put money ahead of mission.
There is a reason for the separation of church and state and that is
to uphold liberty of conscience and to keep the state accountable
based on the moral standards of God’s laws and principles for
good living. This is where the church has failed.
There are many areas in which the church has failed and most
prominently in the cover up of clergy sexual abuse.
So where do we go when the inevitable happens.
Home churches will flourish and eventually as the forces of evil
crack down on communities of faith, we may see the emergence of
a Guerrilla Church Network that meets on the run from place to
place.
One thing is for certain. God’s people will prevail.
As todays scripture says clearly what we are to do.
1. Spur each other on towards love and good deeds. We are to
encourage each other on as we face the tough times together.
2. Not giving up meeting together as some have been prone to
do. We will find ways to bind together and support one another
and others.
3. And to encourage one another even more as the Day of the
return of Christ approaches.
We are the Body of Christ and we are a fellowship of believers and
we will grow stronger on our faith as times get harder. Our
resilience will be tested but it is in times of adversity that we shine
the most is it not?
As Wintley Phipps so eloquently put it.
“It is in the quiet crucible of your own private pain and suffering;
that your greatest dreams are born and Gods greatest gifts are
given in compensation for all that you have been through.”
Never in modern history has a people needed to stand together
more. The early Christians did it in the Roman Colosseum. In the
dark ages the persecuted Christians survived and grew through the
Inquisition as have millions in various communist and fascist
uprisings throughout history.
Now it may be our turn to do so. But we can still be certain that
God is always in control and that his people will thrive not only in
this life but the eternal life to come.
There is a remnant of God’s people who will come from all
denominations who will be ready to meet Jesus when he comes
again. Are you ready to be among them?
Questions.
1. 2. 3. Can you see your faith flourishing in a new church?
Are you afraid of the future?
Are you prepared to fill your lamp with the oil of the Holy Spirit
to welcome the Lamb when He returns?
Prayer.
Dear Lord, Papa God.
As we face these uncertain times we need to prepare ourselves to
return to the church of the apostles in the book of Acts. Help us to
thrive as the Body of Christ no matter what evil throws at us. Cover
us with your Angelic Hosts and show us how we can grow together
in strength. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Have a great day today with Jesus.
Graham Hood
