Let's take an illustration of a blank piece of white paper. The only thing you will see is the white empty sheet of the paper. Now let's take a black marker and put a dot on this white sheet of paper. Now if you ask everyone around you what they see, the response would be: the black dot. No one talks about the huge area of white on the paper but just the black dot.
This is the situation in the church today. We talk so much about what not to do, what not to be and forget the true essence of Christianity - that is, what we could be through Christ who strengthens us! Anyone who views the church or its believers, often only see the black dot, while missing the huge area of white just like the above illustration. Strive to be a church representing the purity, holiness flowing through the love of Christ to the world!
Church should be all about sharing God's love, reaching out to save the lost, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving to those in need, sharing the gift of salvation and the power in the living word of God, being a shoulder to lean on, standing in the gap by prayers for the city and community, and working and encouraging others through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Church ministry is like two sides of a coin: Mission and Maintenance. It is very important that a church act on both these fronts. Mission happens outside the church, seeking the lost and sharing the good news of the gospel. Maintenance happens inside the church - Believers being nurtured and led to grow in the Lord. The struggle of many churches around the world is that they are so focused on keeping the saved inside church, that there is no time for the Mission or for those outside.
Remember the church belongs to the Lord – not any denomination and not under any human control. The Gates of Hell shall not prevail over it.
Mathew 16: 18,19
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock] I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The early church gathered in fear, under persecution, in caves and barns but despite all these things, if you read the New Testament, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and their numbers continued to grow.
Rise up church!! Shake off the dust.
It is not over yet! The coming of the Lord is at hand and the church must get realigned to the Kingdom Purpose of God. It is not important if you hold a title or position, but rather have an attitude to serve. Let's put on the shoes of the gospel and share the Love of Christ to all around us. Be filled with and operate in the power of the Holy Spirit.
God Bless you all.
Pastor Samson Joy