Church or Jesus???
Seems like we got confused along the way. Jesus is to be followed. We are to join our lives to Jesus. His Spirit is to indwell and empower us. We are to become part of His Kingdom and cooperate with Him in expanding His Kingdom. We join others who make that commitment and form Churches. Jesus is the Head of the church. He is to direct both our individual and our corporate (Church) lives.
Then we wonder why we seem to be without the power of the Holy (His) Spirit. Not only is our country and community not changed, but individuals remain bound by sin.
Could it be because we mixed up Jesus and HIS church? We put our emphasis on the Church rather than on Jesus. Then pushed him out as head of the church, ultimately made it OUR church and remade it in our image.
People are urged to attend, give to, join, and support its activities. Even be baptized into membership—then you can vote at business meetings and become part of the decision-makers. Where is Jesus? We have substituted the Church for Jesus.
In many cases, Jesus did not leave the church; he was pushed out by people who wanted their own brand of Christianity rather than “Take up your Cross and Follow Jesus”. It is do church. Religion is OK, but nothing that disturbs our lives. Go through worship on Sunday, confirm that particular group’s moral code, and continue our lives our way with no costly ministry or service to others. The church, attendance, growth, and involvement are the center. No cross! Our emphasis is on the church.
i have visited several groups where I had no sense of the Presence of Jesus. The group clearly belonged to the Pastor, deacons, elders, a family or group, or something else. They had far more say about it than did Jesus. Some felt like more of a high school pep rally than Worshiping the King
If Jesus isn’t in charge, is it a church?