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The word "ekklesia" means "gathering or assembly." Therefore, at the most basic level the church is the gathered or assembled people of God (see: Matt 16:18; Acts 19:32, 39). Beyond this the church is also presented as the new covenant community that fulfills the promise of passages like Jeremiah 31:31-34 (cf. Lk 22:20). It is a community empowered by the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of Isa 44:3-5; Ezk 11:19-20; 36:25-27; Joel 2:28-32. The church is also an eschatological community, part of the world to come which has broken into this age; or what one has described as an "outpost of heaven" that partakes of the classic "already/not yet" structure of the Bible. The church is God's dwelling or temple where he dwells in and with his people because of their relationship to Jesus Christ who is the ultimate meeting place between God and human beings (see: Jn 1:1-18; 2:19 cf. 1 Cor 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor 5:1; 6:16; Eph 2:13-22; 1 Pet 2:5. The church is also the beginning of the new humanity (Eph 2:10-18) that God is creating, the humanity that will replace those who will not bow to his authority. The church is also described by other metaphors which enrich our understanding: the family of God, the bride of Christ, an olive tree, a field, a vine, the body of Christ, among others.
This very cursory overview of the biblical data reveals that "the church" is much more than sitting in "church" on Sunday morning, or if we are super orthodox, Sunday morning and evening! It is a community for teaching, worship, fellowship, discipleship, interaction and service. The church is also integral to the plan of God. Eph 1:22 indicates that Christ has been made head over everything for the sake of his church! In other words, at a personal level, the church is central in God's plan for you as a Christian. The question is whether or not you are in God's will?
We cannot speak about the church without appropriate reality checks. There are no perfect churches. No not one! Churches are composed of imperfect people who are growing in the grace of God. Churches are always changing with every person who is added or taken from them. Building strong churches takes commitment, time and hard work. John Fitzgerald Kennedy's famous quote applies here in a revised form: "Ask not what your church can do for you, but what you can do for your church!" This is the complete opposite of the popular consumer approach to church which asks as the question of first importance: "What's in it for me?"
It is also important to realize that the church is not for everyone except you! You need to become involved in a number of ways. First, by becoming a Christian and turning in repentance and faith to Christ. Second, you need to be baptized as a believer and join a local manifestation of the church. Third, you need to be as consistent as possible in your attendance and participation in the life of the church. Fourth, you need to support the church financially by giving sacrificially, proportionally and systematically. And fifth, you need to use your gifts to enhance the ministry of the church. Everyone has gifts given to us by God. Some gifts we know about, others we do not know about... yet. But we need to pray, seek the counsel of wise leaders and friends and look for opportunities to serve, and in these ways discover what God has for us.
Time only seems to go faster the older we get. Don't procrastinate, get involved today. A good church family will benefit you as an individual, couple and family. God's purposes in Christ are tied to the church in very significant ways (Eph 1:22-23). One question that we used to challenge ourselves with when working to establish Sovereign Grace Community Church was this: "If every one's commitment to this church was the same as yours. what would it look like?" This question puts the onus where it belongs: on the individual! What changes do you need to make in light of what the Bible teaches in this area?
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