TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5, 2015.
CHURCH
A building or place for religious worship; the fellowship of a whole community of believers.
They continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship. Acts 2:42.
The word “Church”’ was first used when Christ told Peter that He would build His church upon him. Matthew 16:18. When Jesus used the word “church’ He was referring to all those who believed in Him. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven He commissioned His disciples to be His witnesses and to add to the body of believers.
Today we use the word “church” not only for believers but also to identify a building where people meet to worship. It does not matter to God how big or how ornate a church is that we worship in. What matters to God is first, the people inside the church and secondly, what is being taught in the church and finally, the sincerity of faith and worship of those in the church.
It was on the day of Pentecost that Peter and the disciples of Jesus received the Holy Spirit and began to carry out the commandment of Jesus to preach Christ’s message of salvation. The result that day is that the number of believers grew from 120 to 3,000. The believers were excited about having received the gift of the Holy Spirit in their life and to be able to spread the gospel message.
Although the early Christians were under the threat of persecution, they continued to gather together to pray and teach others about Jesus. As a result the Lord added daily to their numbers and the early church continued to grow. The new believers listened to Peter and the disciples and began to live like Jesus had taught the apostles.
This excitement and sincere devotion does not prevail in our churches today, among the believers. Many people today, outside of the church, think church people are hypocrites. In ancient times the Greek word “hupokrites” referred to actors who displayed changes of emotion by changing the masks they held against their face. Their real self was hidden by the mask.
Many church people today fall into this category. They faithfully go to church and give the appearance of a sincere believer. Often the next day when they go to their work place they take off their mask and reveal who they really are.
These people cannot give up their worldly desires and submit to the will of God. They do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. They say they do but their actions tell the real story.
What is needed is not beautiful church buildings but groups of united Christians who are alive with the anticipation of meeting God and who have an earnest desire to bring others to the Lord.
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 19:17.
One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.
Keep me faithful in worshiping You every day and not just in church. Prepare my heart daily as I worship You so that I may hear Your voice.
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