Jesus said to Peter that he would build his church upon him,(Mt 16:18) he didn't ask Peter to build a structure of stone and wood, fill it with people and worship him it it, he meant that he would send his Holy Spirit upon his disciples.(Act 2:4) This doesn't mean that we shouldn't worship God in a building, but that we should always remember this first principle.
The church of God is not be a building, it is the people of God. We shouldn't 'GO to church' we should 'BE the church'.(1Pe 2:10) we shouldn't 'worship IN the church' we should 'worship AS the church'.(Jn4:24) It is important to note that Jesus used the future tense in Mt 16:18 because he wanted to make it clear that his church could not be built without his Holy Spirit.(Jn 14:25-26) Some Christians tend to turn up at a worship service, after living a secular life, not having been 'in the spirit' during the week at all (with perhaps just a quick prayer before going to bed each night and another before meals). If we do this, how do we expect the Holy Spirit to attend the worship service with us...how do we expect to BE the body of Christ when we don't invite him into our lives on a constant basis but merely at set times?
Suppose you only let your husband/wife into your house at certain times which you appointed? Do you think they might be upset? We are Gods temple,(2 Co 6:16) that means he dwells in us, in fact Jesus gave us the assurance of it;(Jn15:4) if we do not give him free access to our thoughts, we not only dishonour him, but we do ourselves great harm by allowing the enemy a foothold.
In Matthew 16, the conversation Jesus had with his disciples immediately prior to his comment concerning Peter was that concerning the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducee's and how they ought to beware of it. This was a way of reminding them of the danger of false doctrine, I believe this was no accident. We are in perilous times as a church and should remind each other that we each of us make up the body of Christ,(Ro 12:4,5) that God is our refuge (Ps 62:8) and that God dwells in our bodies (1Jn 4:12). If we let the religiosity of 'going to church' corrupt us to the point that we start to rely on times and statutes for our service to God, we are in danger of becoming idolaters.(Mt 23:1-5)
Too many Christians see their duties to the building they worship at every Sunday as their service towards God, and neglect their own Spiritual Growth; they do this because they confuse the building structure with the concept of church and turn Christianity into a religious doctrine, which requires certain actions to be done of them each week or each day.(Ga 3:3) We shouldn't seek God periodically, but be constantly aware of having Christ dwelling in us and having him teach us on a moment to moment basis. When David had it in mind to build a temple for God to dwell in, and God told him that he had chosen Solomon instead for the task,(1Chr 28) The Lord said 'Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgements, as at this day'. Notice the word 'constant', in order for us to be assured an establishment in Gods kingdom, does in not follow that as we are now Gods temple on earth, we should also be 'constant' in service?
It's easy to see Paul's exhortation in Ro 12:2 as a call to be separate from the world, but we can also see by the language he uses that it's also a reminder of ourselves as a work in progress. He says 'be transformed by the RENEWING of your mind', not the RENEWAL. This suggests something that cannot be finished when you're first born again, but something to be worked at, why should we not be working at it every moment of our lives?
We often think of the Apostle Paul with such respect and admiration that he might seem almost as perfect as Christ himself, we learn however in Ro 7:23-25 that he's actually quite harsh on himself in terms of the work he still has to do. This is because, no matter how much more mature he might be than others, even us, he still recognises the imperfection of his fleshly self in comparison to the perfect divinity of Christ. He is in no doubt that he is still an unfinished work and that he must keep on striving to be more in the spirit and less in the flesh. We all have something to learn from this level of
humility as we strive to get more closer to God through our saviour Jesus Christ; growing in the spirit, diminishing in the flesh. (Ro 8:13; Ga 5:16,17; Ph 3:3)
Jesus said 'Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak'(Mk 13:28) when Simon Peter had fallen asleep after Jesus had asked him to watch. This is clearly an important teaching, it came right at the end of his ministry right before he was crucified. We cannot take discipleship as some weekend hobby, social gathering or 'feel good factor'. This is a spiritual battle, and though it's already won, we must take part in it in order that we and those around us not become a casualty. Yes, we already have a victory, but only if we remain 'in Christ' as a branch
of his vine.(Jn 15)
Ephesians 6
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace;16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18 PRAYING ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication in the SPIRIT, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
PRAISE GOD FOR THE WORD... CarlAHartwell! Thank you.. yes, we need revival, and there can't be a revival UNTIL AND UNLESS it STARTS within everyone who professes and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior over their lives!
Revival doesn't just happens, it starts within ourselves when we repent of our sins and CHANGE our ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS toward GOD!:angel: :glow:
