Don’t be a Stranger

but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Hebrews 3:6 ESV

So, are you a believer in Christ? Do you believe that he was the sinless Son of God, God in human form who died on a cross to pay for your sins? Do you believe that He rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father where He ever lives to make intercession for you? Are you looking forward to His return with hope? If that’s the case, then we’ve got something in common: we’re both part of His household.

Let me share a few more scriptures on the subject:

• What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:16
• Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
• In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:22
• I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:14-15
• you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5
• Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:19-20
• Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25

I’m going to rant, so please bear with me. I’m not one to argue, especially with internet experts. But every time I read one of the folks who say they don’t need to go to church to have a relationship with God, I just want to yell at the screen. The faint smell of hubris aside, there’s enough truth in that claim to make it a decent rationalization.

Church doesn’t save you, but it makes you better. I guess if I didn’t see my wife for a few months, I could say we’re still married. Even if I spoke with her on the phone and sent her a birthday card, the nature and quality of the relationship would surely suffer. The contract’s the same but the relationship isn’t. Just because something is true doesn’t mean it’s the whole truth on the subject.

I’ve heard the horror stories about church abuse. I’ve seen a lot of this stuff firsthand. I feel for those folks. But there are other situations that seem to be something else. I’m not going to get into the nitty-gritty of why people separate themselves, whether it’s hurt feelings, damaged pride, or just rebelling against something.

Whether you like it or not, God designed the local church to play a unique role in living a fruitful Christian life. He knew how it would be; He made it that way. Since it’s made up of people, it’s not going to be perfect, but that’s part of God’s plan to make it effective. If we were all inherently loveable, we wouldn’t need a love command. You need me to irritate you. (And I know you’ll return the favor!)

Let me point out just a few things from the scriptures we just read:

• There’s a tangible presence of God that you can only experience when you stop worshipping your idols and get together with other believers to worship and glorify Him. An idol is basically anything that controls your time, your resources, and your opinions. There are so many things to consider these days: money, prestige, family, sports, politics, TV shows, phones, and so on. Get first things first.
• There is a terrible penalty for doing things that cause harm to the local assembly. Watch your mouth.
• There is a process involved in being built and connected to one another to serve as His dwelling place. You cant be “built together” by yourself.
• There are some things we’ve got to learn if we’re going to live as part of God’s household. It takes effort to get along with family, but we have a responsibility to our Father to do it. It’s very important for the family business.
• We’re part of the priesthood of this spiritual house. We’re here to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to Him: Praise (Hebrews 13:15), prayers (Revelation 8:3-4; 5:8), dedicated service (Romans 12:1-3), good works (Galatians 6:6-10; Hebrews 13:16), and financial support (Philippians 4:17-19). Do your part. The rest of us are tired of covering for you.
• Some prayers will never be answered without gathering in His presence. I don’t pretend to know why, but that’s how He designed it. He wants you to need the rest of us, and the rest of us to need you. You may be special, but you are not unique.
• There will be times when we fall and fail if we are not gathering and encouraging. We need each other. The Bible says so. Do you believe the Bible?

We’re all in this together, part of the church, the household of God. This is true whether we take part in it or not. If Jesus is your Lord, then you’re my brother or sister. Please, don’t be a stranger at the family dinners. Come on home. Bring a dish to pass.

Pastor Virgil