When you hear the word “church”, what comes to mind? Is it the place people go to, mostly on Sunday mornings, to gather in the name of the Lord? The Bible says God’s “church” is the Body of Christ … God’s people … the spiritually-saved sons and daughters. “Church” is NOT a building ... but we can gather at the church’s building. “Church” is our brothers and sisters in Christ, all over the world. Unfortunately, in America today, the local church often assembles for the social interaction, fun programs, coffee in the lobby, worship on the big screen, and the feel-good sermon from a rock-star preacher ... or it is dead -- not growing, not spreading the gospel. If we want to see a change in the world, it's got to start right here, right now … with us.
1Corinthians 12:12 - “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” Colossians 1:18 - “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Mark 10:45 - “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Hebrews 12:28 - “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”
Song Lyrics: We want blessings in our pockets, we keep our missions overseas, but for the hurting in our own cities, do we even cross the street? Some are like the brother of the prodigal, who turned his nose and puffed his chest; he didn't run off like his brother but his soul was just as dead! What if the church on Sunday was still the church on Monday too? What if we came down from our towers and walked a mile in someone's shoes? We want to see hearts set free and tyrants kneel, walls fall down and our land be healed … but if we want to see a change in the world out there, it's got to start right here, right now … with us.
If we surrender our pride and turn from our wicked ways, God will forgive and heal. But first we must walk the walk, not just talk the talk. It starts right here!
Artists: Casting Crowns
Writer(s): Bernie Herms, Matthew West, John Hall, Seth Mosley
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