Monday, September 12, 2022
In case I’m delayed. I want you to know how people who are members of God’s family must live. God’s family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 1Timothy 3:15
The Important Things that Happen Inside the Walls of the Church
There are many different functions of the body of Christ and its leaders. There is work done inside the walls of the church and work done outside the walls of the church. The work done inside the walls of the church is spiritual preparation and growth of the body, fellowship in the body, and preparation to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the those in the community around the church.
Inwardly the church body disciples, teaches, and holds each other accountable so that each one grows in their personal relationship with God. This personal spiritual growth develops and prepares the body to go and make disciples.
Another very important thing that happens inside the walls of the church is fellowship. Fellowship is not just having a potluck game night once a month. Fellowship is relationship. Fellowship is walking through the darkest valleys together. It is the call in the middle of the night and waiting and praying in the waiting room at the hospital. It is encouragement at the bedside. It is not just ministry, it is relationship.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
For many, their church family is the only family they have. Maybe it is the family that is closer than our own blood relatives. They might be the family we can say things to that we cannot say to our own families. They are there for us when the walls fall down around us, and when we fall down too. They help us up. They encourage us. They pray for us. They walk with us. This is fellowship and it is important to every one of us to have this fellowship within the church.
Lastly, inside the walls of the church is where we prepare to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the community around us. Churches have always been a beacon of hope and the place to turn in hard times. Physical needs such as food pantries, counseling, financial assistance or even health clinics are offered by many churches to the surrounding communities. Providing these forms of ministry impacts the lives of those served and will fulfill part of God’s calling on the church. It opens the door for a spiritual connection to be made as well and provides a safe place for many who have no safe place to go to.
People, believers, and non-believers alike, look to the church for answers when things go wrong. They look for life problems to be addressed and to find biblical answers to their questions, answers they cannot find anywhere else. It is our high calling as believers to be ready to help the community around us to the best of our ability. Our spiritual growth and fellowship helps prepare us all to be ready to spread the goodness of God that we find inside the walls of the church to the community around us.
Church is a gift. It is a privilege that some are not allowed at different locations in this world. It is a special thing to be able to experience and have our lives changed by our walk with others in the body of Christ. This is the gift that God calls us to take to the ends of the earth. It starts inside the walls, but spreads outward to those around us.
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
