Ekklessia: God’s Mind For The Local Church And Me
The Local church is God’s plan, it is God’s plan. The reason for the death, burial and resurrection is the local church. You can not be in Christ and not be identified to a local church.
When Jesus confronts Saul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9, he asks him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And Saul said, “Who are you, Lord?” And Jesus replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
Jesus identifies himself so closely with the local church that he considers himself persecuted when the local church is persecuted.
What about you—do you identify yourself with the local church?
Every believer has an identity in the local church
Church membership is a calling. It is not a matter of negotiation. It is not doing the Pastor a favour. It is a calling. Me being a part of a local church is a calling.
Every member has a destiny in God’s kingdom, and God assigns a Pastor to help those members fulfil their destinies, purposes and plans.
Membership in a local church is not by proximity, it is by destiny, it is by calling. You don’t go to a local church because it is in your neighborhood, but because God’s word is taught there.
The local church is not a place of perfect people, it is a place for “perfecting the people”
Ephesians 4:12 (KJV)
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The Greek word used here for “perfecting” is “Teleosis”. It means to mature or complete. Church is a place where spiritual maturity happens. A baby or carnal Christian who is a part of a local church will grow to become a mature and spiritual Christian through the investment of the local church. It is the best place to take advantage of God’s grace
The most powerful nation on the earth today is the Church of Jesus Christ, and everyone saved, washed and sanctified is a member of the body of Christ – The Church (1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 27). Christ is totally committed to His church, that’s why He gave his life for it and He is coming back for it. The only place of safety in these last days is the church.
A believer cannot exist or thrive apart from the body of Christ. The Church is the sole significant entity acknowledged by God today. One cannot love Jesus while hating the Church, nor be devoted to the groom while disregarding the bride.
Everyone born again is automatically admitted into the fellowship of the Son of Jesus, and this fellowship can only be experience with the circle of a local assembly. Though you can claim a membership in the universal body of Christ, but you need a expression of your faith in a local assembly. It is called a local church or assembly because the church is in your local area.
Today, ask God to lead you to the local church he desires for you, and when you find one, be rooted and grounded. If you already have one, stay committed and serve faithfully. God sees and rewards!
God’s design for Every Believer
- Every believer must identify with a certain local church
- Every believer is called to a particular local church
- Every believer must be planted in a local church
- Every member must be committed to a local church
- Every member should be loyal to a local church.
- Every member should stay permanent in a local church
- Every member must be nurtured by a Pastor in a local church
- Every member should serve and be a blessing in their local church
DECLARATION
Dear Father, I thank you for the gift of the local church, my place of safety, strength, rest and progress. I am led to the particular local church you have designed for for growth and purpose. I am committed and I serve faithfully in Jesus name, Amen (Please spend more time to pray in the Holy Ghost)
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
Hebrews 10: 25; Matthew 16: 18