via TJC
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.” Luke 12:35-36 NIV
“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2
What is church and what is consistency ? Growing up we consistently went to St Stanislaus at 11am, and usually sat in the same pew; followed by dad stopping by Otto’s deli for cold cuts and Kaiser rolls.
Even went to catholic elementary school and many years of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) till I was confirmed. We were consistent at church.
And then growing up I kept hearing the phrase “bride of Christ”; and that was just weird. I’m a man and not a bride; thank you .
There sure are a lot of images of church throughout the Bible and NONE of them are the buildings and structures we reference as a church. In fact early Christian’s had no buildings and typically met in secret in people's homes as they were being persecuted. As the influence of Christianity spread, buildings dedicated to worship were established and became what we know today as churches.
In the Bible we see the “church” as the Body of Christ, the People of God and the Bride of Christ. Christ is the head of the church and Christians are the body. God says of the church, “I will be their God, and they will be my people”.
As a body of believers we have specific purposes as God’s people; worship, edification and evangelism. Worship is God-centered and not about entertaining people with smoke, black lights and flashy presentations, but expressing our love to God. We gather together to praise and glorify God in worship, as a community
Edification is a major role for us, nurturing, building up or helping believers to mature in Christ. We do this through Bible study, praying for one another, acts of genuine hospitality.
Evangelism is also a key role for us, reaching out to a lost world with the Good News about Christ. We must know the truth and be able to present and defend it.
Being consistent in church is all of us worshiping, edifying, evangelizing.
We do it best together. And it’s how we honor and glorify God.
Daily Battle Order:
How is your home church? Are you personally worshiping, edifying and sharing the good news in your home? Invite a neighbor over for dinner, put on some good mood music with contemporary worship; share how your week has been and where God showed up; ask them how you can be praying for them, and invite them to join you at your home church.
Today's DBO really makes me think about modern corporate worship. I feel like the big church sanctuary gatherings with smoke and neon lights were a very gradual result of small, yet very fruitful house-churches. The intentions that led to where we're at now were good, no doubt. But it feels like there are small hints of piety, showmanship, and egoism creeping in here and there. It's always good to remember how the Early Church operated and remember that it's never a bad thing to go about it their way. "IT'S ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS, STUPID!"
The story in this DBO reminds me of my own going to church with my family and the life lessons taught to me through the example of my mom and dad. Today's Battle Order is one I have done in the past but need to expand with greater consistency.