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Jarrod Jacobs: “The Church For Which Christ Died”

            There is much confusion about the Lord’s church. Some say, “Join the church of your choice.” Others say that the church is of no consequence at all. What does the Bible say (Rom. 4:3)?

             Based upon Peter’s confession of Christ as the Son of God, Jesus promised, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). Not until Acts 2 do we read of this church being in existence. There, we find the Lord adding the saved to the church. He was adding those who had followed His plan to “repent and be baptized ... for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38, 41, 47). After Acts 2, the church is spoken of as being in existence.

             The Lord’s church follows His revealed word. Many today teach that Christ is still revealing His will to people. This is not true. Jude said that God’s word has been “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Paul said the gospel had been preached to all the world in his day (Col. 1:5-6, 23). The Lord’s church follows Christ’s revealed word, not “modern” revelation that many times, contradicts the plain statements of the Bible.

             The Lord’s church does not follow the statements and rulings of councils, synods, conventions, etc. Instead, the Lord’s church asks, “What saith the Scripture?” (Rom. 4:3). The church for which Christ died speaks as the Bible, and says, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (I Pet. 4:11).

             Also, the Lord’s church worships God “in spirit and in truth.” Jesus made it clear that “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). Notice, that Jesus says it is a MUST for people to worship God “in spirit and in truth.” If something is a “must”, it means we have no choice but to do it.

             Based on John 4:24, we see that worship to God involves three essential things: 1) The right object (God). 2) The right spirit (Attitude). 3) The right act (The truth). Whether or not God accepts or rejects our worship depends upon whether or not we worship Him “in spirit” and “in truth”!

             Some have the mistaken notion that the Lord’s church is to solve all of the social ills of this world. The church for which Christ died is not a political institution, nor is it an entity for stopping crime, or supporting various community groups. The Lord’s church is a spiritual institution. This is why we worship God “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). The Lord’s people offer up “spiritual sacrifices” to God (I Pet. 2:5; Heb. 13:15). Paul said, “the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). The Lord’s church is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Tim. 3:15). She is called the bride of Christ (Rev. 22:17), and the body of Christ (Eph. 4:4). Those who belong to the Lord’s family are more concerned about spiritual matters than physical pursuits (Matt. 6:19-21, 33).

             Friends, the church for which Christ died is not an earthly entity. She is unlike anything this world has seen. Let us respect the Lord’s church and become a member today (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).

 -- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167

 

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