Jesus said some pretty daring statements about his church. He said things like it would over power the gates of hell itself.
That big picture church represents the entirety of the saved of all times. It is the bride that Christ is returning for. It’s the compilation of the saved. It’s the church.
We love that church don’t we? It makes us feel good, protected and safe.
But that’s not the only thing the bible says about the church. It says that the church meets, received letters, has elders, has widows and sometimes has problems. That’s not the big picture church. That’s the local church and you need to get plugged into one.
Here’s why:
The earliest church did it.
They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. Acts 1:14-15
Apostles did it.
When he (Paul) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples… Acts 9:26
It is where the saved are.
And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:47
God put you there.
But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 1 Cor. 12: 18
It’s where your burdens get lifted.
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Gal. 6:2
It’s where you do the lifting.
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thes. 5:11
Church neglect is bad.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Heb. 10:25
It is where we fight for the salvation of those once saved.
You must call a meeting of the church. I will be present with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus. Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns. 1 Cor. 5:4-5
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