Based on “Advancing the Gospel” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 7/3-4/10,
Message #6053; Daily Devotional #3 - “Church?”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): What do you think about when you hear the word “church?” For some it would bring memories of high, beamed ceilings and stained glass windows. For others it could make them think wooden pews and hymn books. For a few it would bring thoughts of a group of people coming together in a garage or movie theater. Some would think of a VBS they were invited to by a school friend. For some it would bring good memories and for others bad memories. For many today, it would mean nothing or possibly make them think about that guy in the office who talks all high and mighty, but his actions show him to be much less. So what is the church? Well, there are many things it is not. God did not design it to be a place where we get head knowledge without action. God did not design the church to be a monastery, where we meet and assume the world knows we are here and if they have questions they can come ask us. And it is not a place for members only, and if you are not a member you can forget about coming to the barbecue.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Church = Body of Christ, assembly of Christ followers. If we are the body of Christ, we will be doing what Christ did. Let’s look at what Christ did. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. (Matthew 11:5) For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (Luke 19:10) So we are to work together just as our bodies do. We work in unison for the same end goal. When Jesus left the earth to sit at the right hand of the Father, He left the church instructions on what its purpose was and is. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) God did not create the church to serve Christ followers. Yes, we are to grow together and mature, but we should never forget the purpose for our growth and maturity- sharing. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): I know the verses I used today most of you could quote, word for word. Yet maybe that is part of the problem with the church today, maybe those verses have become just words and no longer affect our daily actions. Jesus came to this world to save people from an eternal separation from God. His purpose was not to save people from bad habits but to give life. When was the last time God used you to touch the life of a nonbeliever? If it has been a while, ask Him today to show you an opportunity to join Him and see firsthand His love for the lost and dying all around us. Be bold and share the Good News.
When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "…Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:16-17) Lost people matter to God!
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Romans 12
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All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.