Why Church?

In this time when everyone has their own opinion of not only what constitutes church but if there is even a need for church and regular attendance. In today’s message, I’d like to give you something to consider. Please listen till the end. Amen?

Despite what the New York Times Best Seller’s List says, the Holy Bible remains the #1 best-selling book of all time. Today’s text is coming from one of the Apostle Paul’s prison epistles, the book of Ephesians, chapter 3 where I’ll be reading for your hearing verses 10-12, although you should keep the book open, if you’d like to follow along with other Scriptures I’ll be highlighting from the book.

I’ll be reading today’s text from the NLT and it reads as thus

Eph 3:10-12 NLT - 10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

The title of today’s message comes in the form of a question, “Why Church?”

Ephesians is called a prison epistle because it was a letter written by Paul while he was in prison. And while in some translations it is addressed to the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus, it was in actuality a circular letter meant for several churches and as such, it does not address the issues of any one particular church.

How many of you know every church has its issues? Just like every person, because after all, we are the church.

But in the book of Revelation, chapters 2 - 3 you’ll learn that there were seven churches called out by name.

There was the church at Ephesus and the writer says.

1. While the church at Ephesus worked hard, had patient endurance, didn’t tolerate evil, or those claiming to be apostles. Although they called out liars and didn’t quit, they lost the love they first had for Christ and for each other. They fell and John had this message for them from God, turn back to me and do the works you did at first.

2. The church in Smyrna dealt with suffering and poverty, but God said they were rich. There were those opposing them, claiming they were Jews, but they weren’t, because their synagogue belonged to Satan. The message John had for them was this, 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.

3. The church in Pergamum remained loyal despite their location, the city where Satan had his throne. They refused to deny Christ, they stayed loyal even in the face of death, but they tolerated some among them whose teaching was off. People who were teaching how to trip up the people of Israel. Teaching them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. They were instructed to repent.

4. The church in Thyatira had love, faith, service, and patient endurance. God saw their constant improvement in all those things. But there was a complaint against them. They permitted a woman who called herself a prophet to lead God’s servants astray. Jezebel is a spirit teaching the weak to commit sexual sin. But there was a message to those who had not fallen into that sin, Jesus said, “I will ask nothing more of you 25 except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. 26 To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations. 27 They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. 28 They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!

5. The church in Sardis had this message, “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. 4 “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

6. For the church in Philadelphia the message was this from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open: 8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. 10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.

7. And finally, to the church in Laodicea the word that came was this, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. God said, I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

So every church has something going on and if you’re looking for a perfect church, when you think you’ve found it, if you join it won’t be perfect anymore. Why?

• Because we all have issues.

• Because we all have sin.

• Because we all are striving to do the will of God, or at least that should be the goal.

The theme of this letter is unity and harmony in Christ in all settings, including the church and the family.

Paul emphasizes he is called to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, that’s us, the non-Jewish people. While the Jews were God’s chosen people, Christ died for all of us. We were and are all a part of God’s plan of salvation.

And the best place to learn about God’s plan of salvation is by reading God’s Word for yourself.

When one engages on a journey to read the Bible, the reason you decide to read it matters.

• Are you reading for information?

• Are you reading for direction?

• Are you reading for guidance?

• Are you reading for illumination?

• Are you reading for justification?

• Are you reading to fill a square?

• Are you reading to disprove what’s written on the pages?

• Are you reading to improve your life?

• Are you reading for understanding? Which will in turn lead to the last reason I’ll pose.

• Are you reading for salvation?

Dare I say, if you read the Scripture, there will be a change in your life, in your thinking, and in you. How can I be so sure?

Because in Isa 55:10 -11God has this message. “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

God’s Word is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, it discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.

So why church? First let me say, for those who believe that church means religion, at Love Christian Center, we are not about religion, we are about relationship.

Religion is something you do on a routine basis.

• You can be religious about washing your car.

• You can be religious about cleaning your house.

• You can be religious about your studies.

We’re not trying to get you to be religious we want to help you foster a relationship

• with the God who created you

• with the God who knew you before the world was formed

• with the God who called before you were in your mother’s womb

• with the God who calls you his masterpiece

• with the God who gives you peace

• with the God who gives you comfort

• with the God who gave his Son to tear down the wall of sin that separated us

We want you to grow in grace and love and mercy so you can become spiritually mature Christians who can boldly declare that Jesus is Lord, that God is King, and above Him there is no other.

So you can boldly proclaim that there is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. How do I know?

Because Jesus said so in John 14:6 in response to Thomas who we heard about last week. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Paul wants you to understand why we have the church.

He wants you to know that when you say yes to the invitation, you are now members of God’s family, no longer on the outside looking in. Come on in the water is fine.

Paul wants you to know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I need to tell you though, the Holy Spirit will not dwell in an unclean temple.

But guess what, you don’t have to clean it up all by yourself, in fact you can’t. It’s impossible for you to do. But once you invite Jesus into your heart the Holy Spirit will help you do that. When you invite Christ into your heart the Holy Spirit will be with you. He’ll live in you and when you ask and sometimes even when you don’t he’ll show you, you.

Have you ever had a thought come to mind that wasn’t so nice and you felt bad? That was the Holy Spirit cleaning you up.

Have you ever wanted to do something and “something” said don’t do that? That was the Holy Spirit guiding you.

Have you ever thought you didn’t want to go somewhere, like church, but “something” said go anyway. That was the Holy Spirit leading you.

Have you ever had a desire to give, but when you looked at your finances you didn’t think you had enough, but “something” said give anyway. That was the Holy Spirit directing you.

When you have a relationship with Jesus, you learn to walk by faith, not by sight. You learn to believe God when He tells you He’s Jehovah Jireh, your provider.

Here’s the thing…

• If you’re never in need how do you learn he’s a provider?

• If you never experience sorrow, how do learn he’s a comforter?

• If you never experience sickness, how do learn he’s a healer?

• If you never experience pain, how do learn he is your relief?

• If you never experience suffering, how do you learn he’ll give you peace?

• If you never have a battle, how do you learn he’s your defender?

• If you never need grace, how do you learn just how amazing his grace can be?

• If you’ve never experienced a break-up, how do you learn he’s a reconciler?

• If you never get into trouble, how do learn he’ll bring you out?

• If you never try Him, how do you learn that He’s a God who keeps his promises?

How do you learn? How do you learn? How do you learn?

So why church?

Because church is where you learn God’s plan, it’s where you walk it out with like-minded believers. Isn’t it so much easier to go on a journey when you have a partner to go with you?

Whether it’s a weight loss journey, an educational journey, or a spiritual journey. We were designed by God for relationship, not to go through this life alone.

For those who are single, being single does not mean you are alone. The church is designed to be a family.

Paul tells us God’s plan is that Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children.

We are part of the same body, we enjoy the same promise of blessings because we all belong to Christ Jesus.

And like Paul, by God’s grace and power, we have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading the Good News of Christ.

It’s a privilege. Not everyone gets to do this. You have to be special to do this. You have to be chosen to deliver this message.

But guess what? You already have been. I already told you God chose you before the foundation of the world began. All you have to do is accept it, believe it, and walk it out.

Paul goes on to say we have endless treasures available to us in Christ. Our Father owns everything what are you worried about? Follow God’s plan and trust that he will keep his promise.

Why church?

God’s purpose was to use the church to display His wisdom through many ways and many methods.

This is not a one-size or one way fits all type of church. We all, (that is every church door that is open and has its foundation in Jesus Christ), we all have the same mission, to win lost souls to Christ. But how that’s done is going to vary.

Every church is not going to look or operate the same, even if you move and it has the same name. Because guess what, the church is the people not the building and no two people are the same, not even identical twins.

We were all built as individuals, with individual thoughts, gifts, and purposes for our lives. And no one can do you, like you boo. You are one of a kind.

The church is here to help you discover your gift and then use it for the edification of the saints. Use it for the good, for the encouragement, for the advancement of your brothers and sisters.

Why church? Because I need you, you need me, we’re all a part of God’s body. Stand with me agree with me, we’re all a part of God’s body. It is His will that every need be supplied you are important to me, I need you to survive.

In 1 Cor 12 Paul describes the church as a human body. Beginning at verse he writes, “12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”

The church needs you to survive. When you don’t show up, it creates a schism in the body. There’s a piece missing and it won’t work properly. Oh we will continue, but it will work better if you’re here.

There’s much work to be done, there is room for your gift, whatever your gift may be. Come and see what the Lord has for you to do here at LCC, 3500 Hwy 5 in Douglasville, GA.

Come on over, the harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few and we need you. Last month, our phenomenal volunteers distributed over 15,000 pounds of food to those in need.

What’s that? You don’t live in this area? You’re not available on Wednesdays to come help? That’s ok, you can still help. We need financial partners who can give a one-time or recurring gift. Check out our website for all the ways you can give.

Why church? So we can come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

When Jesus gave his life on the cross, the curtain that separated the holy from the holy of holies was torn from top to bottom. God tore it and said come on in my child.

The priest is no longer the go-between, you now have direct access to God’s throne for yourself. You can now confidently and boldly enter into God’s presence.

Now, what will you say? What will you do? You’re standing before God’s throne. He’s listening. He’s saying speak my child. What are you going to tell him?

Are you going to complain about what you didn’t get, what didn’t happen, who had it better, how disappointed you were that this or that didn’t happen?

• Or are you going to be filled with awe and wonder at the very majesty of who God is?

• Are you going to say thank you for giving me life, health, and strength?

• Are you going to say thank you for choosing me?

• Are you going to say thank you for delivering me?

• Are you going to say thank you for keeping me?

• Are you going to say thank you for protection?

• Are you going to say thank you power?

• Are you going to say thank you for lifting me up when I was down?

• Are you going to say thank you for forgiving me?

• Are you going to say thank you for cleansing me of all unrighteousness?

• Are you going to say thank for sending your only begotten Son to die in my place?

• Are you going to say Jesus I thank you for coming, because you didn’t have to do it, but you did?

• Are you going to say Jesus I thank you for taking the beating for my evil deeds?

You’re standing before the King of kings and Lord of lords.

• Are you going to say, Jesus, I thank you for hanging on that cross and covering my sins?

• Are you going to say Lord I love you and I want a relationship with you? Please come into my heart. I want to be a part of your church, I want to be a part of the body of Christ. I give you my heart, I give you my life.

You’re standing before the throne of God…what are you going to say?

• Are you going to tell him how much you love him?

• Are you going to tell him how much you appreciate him?

• Are you going to give him praise for His goodness and His mercy toward you?

• Are you going to dance before his throne?

• Are you going to shout HALLELUJAH!?

• Are you going to sit and bask in his presence and attempt to take it all in?

“Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” What are you going to do?

Beginning in verse 14 of chapter 3 of Eph Paul has a prayer for spiritual growth. In our quest for you to build a relationship with God and with a local church, a local body of believers this is my prayer for you through God by way of the Apostle Paul and the answer to, “Why Church?”.

Eph 3:14 “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, today is a perfect day. It’s just a prayer

Jesus, I confess I’m a sinner, please forgive me. I believe you are the Son of God, that you died for my sins, rose again and now sit at the Father’s right hand praying for me. I give you my heart and my life. In Your name I pray. Amen

If your prayed that prayer for the first time please reach out to us so we can pray with and for you and welcome to the body of Christ.

If you live in the Douglasville, GA vicinity, consider joining us in person, we have Sunday School for adults and children at 8:45 and Worship Service begins at 10 a.m.

If you don’t live in this area and would like to join us for Services on Zoom see our website for the codes to join.

Please share this message on whatever platform you may be watching and please consider being a financial partner so we can continue to help those in need.

God said that which you do the least of these, you do also unto me. God bless you to our online viewers. Please share the message.

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If you’re here in the sanctuary and you’ve never received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior you can do it right now.

If you’d like to become a member of this branch of the body of Christ and put your gifts and talents to work, the doors of the church are open.

Rededication