What Do You think when You hear the word "CHURCH "

Dusty · 05-06-2008, 04:17 PM

A building on the corner ?

A stuffy group of hypocrites ?

A vibrant fellowship ?

Read Ephesians 3 .

Paul's special ministry enables him to enlarge our conception of the church. In this passage Paul clarifies and exalts the place of the church in God's plan.

God gave Paul the revelation that through the church , God would be known.

The Holy Spirit revealed to Paul that Christ Jesus is our eternal hope and we are heirs together with Israel. We are members of one body sharing together in the promise in Christ Jesus. God's great love for us is that He sent Christ Jesus that we may be united together as one body ( THe Church )

Vs 20 and 21 could be our prayer as well for ourselves and our church.

Ephesians 3:20-21

20........Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

21.....to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

YelowJacket · 05-06-2008, 04:29 PM

In short, any group of two or more believers worshiping or studying God.

In long, the whole worlds believers to be raptured as Christs bride.

Theophilus · 05-07-2008, 10:27 AM

Unfortunatly the only church recognized by most is the building. People have come to believe that without the building(a building) there is no church.
The building and all the trappings that go with it, the minstries and programs the system and hype, the public perceptiion and posturing, the facade and religian,all distort and hide the real,the true church from veiw.
The focus has shifted from the truth to a man made politicaly correct version acceptable to the public.
Sincerely
Cliff

Dusty · 05-07-2008, 11:52 AM

Amen , Brother , Cliff .... That is so true.

Who am I · 05-07-2008, 11:56 AM

What do I think when I hear the word Church?

Several things come to mind, since my learning and view has changed over the years. I use to think it was just a building. I wasn’t saved then.
I know better now. A building is just a building. If there are no people inside… it is just another empty building. Depending on the people, it could be full of people, and still be an empty building. I think there are a lot like that. A lot of people in a Church building for all the wrong reasons, doing the wrong things.

The thought “wasted space” also comes to mind. There are so many Churches out there with 50 foot ceilings. I look at it as wasted space that cost money to build, and costs money to heat and cool. I don’t think having a big fancy building is Biblical. Some people call a Church building God’s house. I say the Christian’s body is God’s house.

Today, when I think of the word Church, I think of people.

Dusty · 05-07-2008, 12:05 PM

That's right Dean and for the non-believer it is just a building and a lot of them never go in because they hear so many bad raps from the media. And then there has been so many falls by different ministers that haven't helped.

But once again like you said it is the people and we are the church and when the whole truth of the Bible is preached in it then The Holy Spirit dwells within and the people worship in spirit and in truth.

Boanerges · 05-07-2008, 12:23 PM

Indeed. But I do sometimes think of a building as it is my favorite place to go. But we certainly are the Church!

HisManySongs · 05-07-2008, 12:55 PM

"We Are the Church"
Words and Music by Richard K. Avery and Donald S. Marsh, 1972

Chorus:
I am the church, You are the church, we are the church together.
All who follow Jesus all around the world. We are the church together.

Verses:
The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple,
the church is not a resting place, the church is a people.

We're many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces,
all colors and all ages, too, from all times and places.

And when the people gather, there's singing and there's praying,
there's laughing and there's crying sometimes, all of it saying:

At Pentecost some people received the Holy Spirit
and told the Good News through the world to all who would hear it.

Dusty · 05-07-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HisManySongs

"We Are the Church"
Words and Music by Richard K. Avery and Donald S. Marsh, 1972

Chorus:
I am the church, You are the church, we are the church together.
All who follow Jesus all around the world. We are the church together.

Verses:
The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple,
the church is not a resting place, the church is a people.

We're many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces,
all colors and all ages, too, from all times and places.

And when the people gather, there's singing and there's praying,
there's laughing and there's crying sometimes, all of it saying:

At Pentecost some people received the Holy Spirit
and told the Good News through the world to all who would hear it.

I love it. And did you know that this Sun. is Penticost Sun as well as Mother's day and a national day of prayer ?

Standing4something · 05-07-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

many get wrapped up in "church" that they don't understand what it is. The church is not the building that we meet in. The church is...us. I like to look at it this way. The church (we believers) are the bride of Christ. I see it as Jesus is proposing to us. And if he is, then by the Bible the woman serves the man, who is head of the house. The man must in return provide for the woman and love her unconditionally. Thats exactly was Jesus has done and is still doing for us. Serve Him and only Him.

I'm not saying don't get involved with your church. The church won't get you to heaven because as a believer, you become the church.

A post that I made in another thread.

Matthew 18:20 (New King James Version) 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

That's church to me.

05-06-2008, 04:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dusty Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,530 Rep Power: 7	What Do You think when You hear the word "CHURCH " A building on the corner ? A stuffy group of hypocrites ? A vibrant fellowship ? Read Ephesians 3 . Paul's special ministry enables him to enlarge our conception of the church. In this passage Paul clarifies and exalts the place of the church in God's plan. God gave Paul the revelation that through the church , God would be known. The Holy Spirit revealed to Paul that Christ Jesus is our eternal hope and we are heirs together with Israel. We are members of one body sharing together in the promise in Christ Jesus. God's great love for us is that He sent Christ Jesus that we may be united together as one body ( THe Church ) Vs 20 and 21 could be our prayer as well for ourselves and our church. Ephesians 3:20-21 20........Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21.....to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. __________________ Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. -- John Wooden Joke Police.. Mark and Amandaz

05-07-2008, 10:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Theophilus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 728 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 2	Unfortunatly the only church recognized by most is the building. People have come to believe that without the building(a building) there is no church. The building and all the trappings that go with it, the minstries and programs the system and hype, the public perceptiion and posturing, the facade and religian,all distort and hide the real,the true church from veiw. The focus has shifted from the truth to a man made politicaly correct version acceptable to the public. Sincerely Cliff __________________ People rarely care how much you know until they know how much you care,

05-07-2008, 11:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dusty Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,530 Rep Power: 7	Amen , Brother , Cliff .... That is so true. __________________ Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. -- John Wooden Joke Police.. Mark and Amandaz

05-07-2008, 11:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Who am I Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,275 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 2	What do I think when I hear the word Church? Several things come to mind, since my learning and view has changed over the years. I use to think it was just a building. I wasn’t saved then. I know better now. A building is just a building. If there are no people inside… it is just another empty building. Depending on the people, it could be full of people, and still be an empty building. I think there are a lot like that. A lot of people in a Church building for all the wrong reasons, doing the wrong things. The thought “wasted space” also comes to mind. There are so many Churches out there with 50 foot ceilings. I look at it as wasted space that cost money to build, and costs money to heat and cool. I don’t think having a big fancy building is Biblical. Some people call a Church building God’s house. I say the Christian’s body is God’s house. Today, when I think of the word Church, I think of people. __________________ Blessings to all Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

05-07-2008, 12:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dusty Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,530 Rep Power: 7	That's right Dean and for the non-believer it is just a building and a lot of them never go in because they hear so many bad raps from the media. And then there has been so many falls by different ministers that haven't helped. But once again like you said it is the people and we are the church and when the whole truth of the Bible is preached in it then The Holy Spirit dwells within and the people worship in spirit and in truth. __________________ Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. -- John Wooden Joke Police.. Mark and Amandaz

05-06-2008, 04:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
YelowJacket Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Peterborough Posts: 161 Rep Power: 2	In short, any group of two or more believers worshiping or studying God. In long, the whole worlds believers to be raptured as Christs bride.

05-07-2008, 12:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
Boanerges Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: St Rose LA Posts: 16,835 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 18	Indeed. But I do sometimes think of a building as it is my favorite place to go. But we certainly are the Church! __________________ Because the Lord Jesus died on the Cross, I have received forgiveness of sins; because the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, I have received new life; because the Lord Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of the Father, I have received the outpoured Spirit. All is because of Him; nothing is because of me." Watchman Nee

05-07-2008, 12:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
HisManySongs Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 1,689 Rep Power: 4	"We Are the Church" Words and Music by Richard K. Avery and Donald S. Marsh, 1972 Chorus: I am the church, You are the church, we are the church together. All who follow Jesus all around the world. We are the church together. Verses: The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people. We're many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces, all colors and all ages, too, from all times and places. And when the people gather, there's singing and there's praying, there's laughing and there's crying sometimes, all of it saying: At Pentecost some people received the Holy Spirit and told the Good News through the world to all who would hear it. __________________ We are called to take His Light ... Shalom and ... Keep the Son in Your eyes! Posters on my Pastor's wall: I know you believe you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize what you heard is not what I meant. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode