Church as usual

Webster’s dictionary defines the word ” church ” as (1) building for public worship, especially Christian worship. (2) a body of persons gathered for religious worship. The Greek word for church is ‘Ekklesia,” which means “called out” like called out from the world into His marvelous light. As a result of theCOVID 19 pandemic, many buildings have been closed to promote social distancing as a safety precaution. The world has been sheltering place and has been communicating virtually. Many believers are ready to return to church. But the question is- do you desire to return to “church” as usual?

For far too long, the body of Christ has been doing church. The Father wants us to BE THE CHURCH! The heart of the Father is souls! He’s not interested in traditions, ordinances, pretense, nor pomp and circumstance. The Father desires to equip the body-not entertain. How do you plan on going back in the building? Is it with the same mindset, the same attitude, the same old same old? I’m here to tell you that God is doing a new thing in the season! As it says in Mark 2:21-22 “No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles. What is Jesus saying here? We cannot experience the newness that God is trying to bring in our life with the same “old” system constructs, mindsets, and attitudes. Just like in the natural, we grow and mature, so it is in the Spirit. If babies didn’t grow, we would think it strange if, at three years old, a child was the size of a nine-month-old with that same level of cognitive, emotional, and physical development. But in the “church,” we see people that have been spiritual babes for 10, 20 years with no signs of spiritual growth, and no one is concerned. In Hebrews 5:12-14, it reads, “For when for the time you ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are full of age, even those who by reason of use of their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. The mandate of the body of Christ is to make disciples, not church members. The Father desires for us to be equipped to live this life for God and make disciples of Jesus Christ.

During the time of quarantine, we’ve had the opportunity to develop our relationships. We’ve had time to reevaluate some things. God has used and is using this time to draw us near to him with no distractions. He wants to sharpen our ears. Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God; they are the sons of God.” The Spirit of God wants to give us direction for our life, but He also wants to use us to be a blessing in the lives of others.

Romans 12:4 “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 1 Corinthians 12:12-25 “ 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. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you……” Every member of the body of Christ has a role and a purpose. What’s yours?

The Father is birthing and raising up people in this hour with gifts, anointings, and the Word to bring forth. It is new to many in the body. We are to embrace this new move of God and allow the Spirit of God to move in our midst and outside of the four walls of the building. Open your heart. Don’t be so quick to dismiss what God is trying to move us away from. If we refuse to change we will be left behind while the body as a whole continues to progress. We have to ask the Father in sincerity to reveal the areas in our lives that require growth. We have to renew our minds daily with the word of God. Let us embrace the new! Let us get into divine alignment.

I can’t go back to church as usual! Can you?

Let’s pray

Father, it’s in the name of Jesus that we come before you. Father, we forgive those who have offended or hurt us in any way, knowing that if we don’t forgive others their trespasses, you won’t forgive ours. Help us, Lord, to walk in love by your Spirit. You said that men would know we are your disciples when we love one another. Father, we thank you for first loving us. Please help us as the body to flow with your Spirit and not resist your move. We don’t want to kick against the pricks. Holy Spirit empower us to rise up and be the church. Let us use our gifts to minister to others in the world. We ask that you increase our sensitivity to your Spirit as we cry out, not our will, but Thy will be done! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!