So, You Love Jesus But Don't Like the Church.

(For this article Church with an upper case C refers to the universal Church, the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ, church with a lower case c refers to the local church fellowship or community.)
I was listening to a podcast by Ger Jones of Vintage Church in L.A. and he talked about how he had heard people say that they loved Jesus but did not care for Church. He went on to say how wrong this thinking was. I too had heard people say this and at the time just thought it was one of those fad sayings of the contemporary Church. Although I knew it just did not sound right. When I heard Ger speak about it, it got me to thinking. Ger did a great job of teaching on the Church and I got a lot out of it. But I saw that it was just lunacy to think that we could love Jesus and not like His Church. The Church that Jesus called His Bride. (Rev. 19:7 and 21:9; Eph. 5:21-23)

I thought how I would feel if someone told me, "I love you but don't care much for your wife" or “Hey, let's have lunch but leave your wife at home." My wife and I are joined by Christ and cannot be separated by man. (Gen. 2:23-24) So is Christ and the Church, the Bride of Christ.

If you are one of these that say you love Jesus but could do without the Church, I urge you to consider the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, mentioned in the Bible. (Rev. 19:9) Do you really think you will make it being just a Jesus lover and not a lover of His Church?

Being in Christ, you are part of the Church. (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 10:17 and 12:12; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 4:4-6) It is your part to join with the Body of Christ and become the Bride without spot or wrinkle.

I have told many people through the years who have told me they could not find a church they could feel comfortable with and I told them that they did not need to stop looking until they had visited every church in their town. It is foolishness to think that Christ saved someone and did not place them in the Church as a whole.  (Acts 2:47; 5:14; 11:24)

A true lover of Jesus Christ can fit in with any part of the Bride that the Lord guides them to. He may put you somewhere you feel uncomfortable in, but you are needed. Seek the Lord and choose to love His Church. Fellowship with them, pray for them and give thanks for them.

Poured Out

“Then He (Jesus) took the cup, gave thanks to God, and gave it to them. “Drink it, all of you,” He said; “for this is my blood, which seals God’s covenant, My blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins.” Matt. 26:27-28 TEV
As I was preparing the communion elements for the Sunday service, I read these passages in order to see what the Lord wanted me to share during the communion part of the service. The phrase, “My blood poured out for many,” stuck out. Later at the church building while filling the little cups I noticed that while I was pouring the grape juice from the little Pyrex measuring cup, I would run out and have to refill it.
Jesus when He offered Himself as an offering for all mankind, He gave all that He had. All that was needed.
To be a real disciple we must pour ourselves out for Him in service and devotion, not worrying that we may also give all with nothing else to give. For when we are empty in His service, He fills us up again.
In our service, communion time is a great opportunity to be refilled.

During the early church years the Romans killed many Christians because they believed they were cannibals by eating Christ’s body. Later during the middle ages, Christians were killed because they DID NOT believe they were eating Christ’s body. Some may say that the communion service means nothing to them and that it is just a part of the church service.
How dare we partake of communion and it not mean anything? Whether you believe it turns to Christ’s body or not, whether it saves or is just a symbolic ritual.
Do it in remembrance of Christ and what He did and do likewise. Allow ourselves to be poured out in Jesus name.

An Allegory of the Body, Soul and Spirit

I have just finished the book, “If I Perish I Perish” by Major W. Ian Thomas. It revealed an allegory of the Body, Soul and Soul in the Book of Ester.
I will show here the allegory but first I would like to share this quote from Mr. Thomas.

“I'm tired of religion - and to be entirely honest I know of nothing quite so boring as Christianity without Christ.
Have you ever tried to start a car without fuel, until there wasn't a spark left in the battery? Then you will know exactly what I mean, for there are few things more frustrating than a car that will not go. Everything is nicely greased and in its rightful place, and all the working parts move dutifully, but try as you may, there isn’t the suspicion of a kick, nor the tiniest evidence of life in the engine. You might as well dump the thing, for all the chance you have of getting it on the move!
Countless people have stopped going to a place of worship simply because they are sick of going through the motions of a dead religion. They are tired of trying to start a car on an empty tank!
What a pity it is that there are not a few more people around to tell them that Jesus Christ is alive. I spoke of nothing more boring than Christianity without Christ, but I know of nothing so utterly exciting as being a Christian-sharing the very life of Jesus Christ on earth right here and now, and being caught up with Him into the relentless, invisible purposes of an almighty God, and with all the limitless resources of deity available for the job.”

“If I Perish I Perish”by Major W. Ian Thomas, c. 1967-1972 ; Zondervan Publishing; used without permission

The whole story of Ester is an exciting tale of God’s work in a people. Also in allegory it shows His work in us as individuals.
The main charcators are:
Queen Vasti
King Ahasuerus
Haman the Agagite
Mordecai the Jew
Ester the Maiden to be Queen

Ian Thomas wrote that the King symbolized the human Soul sitting of the throne of power. Haman is the carnal nature of man. Mordecai is the Holy Spirit and Ester as the human “Born again Spirit”. I will say that Queen Vasti is the fallen human spirit we are all born with although Mr. Thomas does not mention her in the allegory setup.

At the start of the story Queen Vasti (human spirit of disobedience) fails to do as the King (human soul says to do) The King puts away Vasti and gains a new queen, Ester (Born again Spirit). The king is Ok until he puts his trust in Haman (the enemy of God the flesh) and gives him power. Meanwhile Mordecai is kept out of the picture. He is Esters cousin who adopts her at an early age. Showing the work of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8:14,15). But Mordecai has no power over the King while Haman is in charge and who wishes to destroy Mordecai. To make this short, through Mordecai’s relationship with Ester, He reveals the evil of Haman (the flesh) and Haman is Hung and Mordecai is put in power. Now I simplified this, but you must read the book. And Thomas recommends that you read his book, “The Saving Life of Christ”, first.

I recommend this and other books by Major Thomas

For info on Major Thomas and were to get his books go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_W._Ian_Thomas

On Being A New Testament Church Part 4: Fellowship

Continuing from my previous post on Being A New Testament Church I would like to take up were I left off. Verse 42 of the Second Chapter of Acts states that, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayers".
In my opinion their actions are centered on "fellowship". We could say it this way,” And they did not give up fellowshipping around the apostle's teachings with communion and prayer".
First, they did not give up fellowship. Not because of a busy schedule and not because they did not like someone in the church.
Second, they fellowshipped around Bible study. The lecture type of preaching is good for individual growth. Bible study around fellowship is good for the spiritual growth of the church group. Not just the teachings of the original apostles, but contempary apostles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 in which there is not reason to mention that these will teach according to the scriptures.
Third, they fellowshipped around meals, which included the "Breaking of Bread" or communion. This service is invaluable in the spiritual growth of the Church. As the early Christians shared there meals together, this observance helped them to stay focused on the whole purpose of being together.
And fourth, they fellowshipped around prayer. More than just having a small prayer time during a service, but fellowshipping around the prayer time; sharing, uplifting each other in prayer.
These four focuses in fellowship are all part of the "becoming a New Testament Church". The verses after 2:42 shows the fruits that define a NTC.
In truth the fruits do not define us when we meet, but when we as a Church operate as individuals and as a part of the Body of Christ on Earth. Have you ever met a person that lived like a non-believer and then found out that they attended a church? It is hard not to judge the Church by those individuals and the Bible teaches that we should not do so, but we see the fruits of the Church. And I believe that if the principles in 2:41-42 are lived, then the Church will not have to worry about being judged by non-believers. And we can truly believe that we are New Testament Christians therefore making up a New Testament Church.
In conclusion I must admit that no group of scriptures in themselves will point out a formula for building a New Testament Church, but only a group of people who love Jesus and are committed to serving Him together, lead by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God will ever become what the New Testament Church was and did.
Or better still will become to Latter-day Church