And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
The Church was God's idea. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus is saying that he will build his church, while Paul tells us he gave himself for the church, Ephesians 5:25. But, what does this mean? What is this church Jesus built?
In the coming weeks I hope we can gain a deeper understanding of the church so that we will know what to expect of ourselves and of our leaders in the church. We have not gotten together inside church for six months. Experts say it will probably take another year to a year and a half before we can gather together to worship and to fellowship like we did before. So, I hope that as we take a new look at who we are as a church, that we will find new and better ways to be God’s church.
First, the church is the assembly, the gathered ones, the ones called together by God.
Christ called us. He called us out of the world, out of the values and goals and ways of this world, out of identity with the world to identify with his Kingdom.
Christ called us to worship. Worship is far more than getting together on Sundays in a worship service, though this is essential. But worship is also a life of service to Christ that brings glory and honor to Christ.
Further, called US, together; he is gathering us, assembling us as one people and not as a collection of individuals. We are more like a million drops of water gathered into a bucket than we are a bucket of pebbles, together, but not connected.
What does this mean for us under Covid-19 restrictions? There is more that unites us than getting together. We confess the same faith, have the same Lord and as a church are united by our vision to be a missional church. Now, more than ever, we have the opportunity to bring the blessing of Christ to our neighbors as we witness to them and care for them.
But, how can worship be “together” when we are spread apart? Yes, we are participating in the worship of God at the same time, connecting through the same service and massage. Yet, there is more that unites us. Every Sunday when we worship, we enter heaven and join the angels and the saints in heaven, in the presence of God, Hebrews 12:22-24. Our fellowship in worship is not restricted to the three dimensions of earth, but God transcends our limitations to bring us all together with Him every time we gather to worship. We do not have to be “physically” together to be together. So, let’s diligently consider ways other than zoom we can get “together” and to fellowship, worship and prayer; such as a small group in a back yard or gathering in a park or parking lot with social distancing, or visiting one family at a time and calling each other by phone. Let’s help one another connect over the next year and half
Meditate on 1 Peter 2:9-10 to think further on this.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor MacDonald