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Church
Building or Home Church
The Bible tells us that we are to come together as believers.
Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us
consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deed,
not forsaking our own assembling together (as the habit of
some) but encouraging one another; and the more, as you see
the day drawing near. We have come to believe that bigger is
better.
Matthew 18:20 states: "For where two or three have
gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst."
The new testament church met from house to house.
Acts 2:46-47 quotes: "And day by day continuing with one
mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,
they were taking their meals together with gladness and
sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all
people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day
those who were being saved.
Acts2:20 reads: "And I did not shrink from declaring to
you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly
and from house to house.
In the large congregation there is no personal contact. There
are many hurting and lonely people sitting in pews right now
and their needs are not being met. Some have the idea that
going to a building where people meet is a church, simply
because it hangs a sign outside calling itself a church.
The church is not a building. It is all born again
believers.
Christ in you, Jesus with skin on. Not every church that bears
the name is the true church. We all know people who attend
church regularly, yet the rest of the week we would hardly
know that they are even a Christian. All the joy and Bible
study and praising God is left behind after the sermon is
over.The sermon is delivered by a preacher with an audience.
It is all a one way street. There is no interaction.
Can you imagine someone interrupting to ask a question or
offer an opinion or to express an immediate need?
Some have even been isolated by the so called church because
they differ in their beliefs, or they don't look right or they
are poor. This is done in the name of unity.
I was recently asked to attend a prayer meeting with someone
and he said they would accept me because I was with him. (I
worship on a different day.) I don't believe that I want to be
apart of a group where you have to be with someone in order to
be accepted. We of the true churchof God are all one body with
many members.
Romans 12:5 says: "So we, who are many, are one body in
Christ, and individually members of one another."
These same people were even embarrassed to pray at a
restaurant before their meal after their meeting. God's people
should be welcome anywhere in the church because of who they
are, a child of the King. God's true church will keep the
commandments of God. In the home church, groups are small and
intimate. Everyone knows the others needs, strengths, and
gifts. Everyone has a part in the meeting, and Bible study is
not just one way. Questions and opinions can be given
freely.Searching of the scriptures and use of the concordance
is readily available. Prayer is offered by everyone in one
accord. Everyone is welcome regardless of how they look or
talk or believe.There is no need of a formal preacher in a
home church.
I Peter 2:5 states: "You also, a living stones, are being
built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer
up spiritual sacrifices acceptable o God through Jesus
Christ." I Peter 2:9 proclaims: "But you are a
chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for
God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies
of Him who has called you of darkness into His marvelously
light." Revelation 1:6 says: "And He has made us to
be a kingdom, priest to his God and Father; to Him be the
glory and the dominion forever and ever."
The home church is a body of believers who have many gifts.
Some to teach, some who have the gift of mercy, some who know
how to put our web pages together, some to give out books,
some to do outreach and some even send cards of encouragement
and visit the sick. Everyone has a gift and it can be utilized
in a small group.
I Corinthians 14:26 reads: "What is the outcome then,
brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a
teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an
interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."
Within the traditional church there is a need to put most of
the finances into the buildings and the maintaining of them.
There are also pastors salaries and the rest of the staff as
well. In the home church the finances can be spent on outreach
as well as helping those in need. In our groups we have a food
ministry. We believe in a practical way of reaching people for
Christ. We also have a lending library as well as giving free
books. There is no building, pastor or utilities to pay. All
the money goes for God's work.When we do something for someone
else, it is to be in secret so the recipient will be able to
thank God. God will reward the giver.
Matthew 6:3-4 states: "But when you give alms, do not let
your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your
alms may be in secret; and Your Father who sees in secret will
repay you."
I recall a deacon who made a young woman stand before the
congregation to show her new false teeth after they footed the
bill. In the large traditional church you can get lost
if you want, or even if you don't want to. You can feed on
milk as a babe in Christ the rest of your life listening to
sermon after sermon and never growing. In the small home
church you are accountable for your walk with Christ. Everyone
is there, willing to help you mature with encouragement. Your
faith can't help but grow and you will read the Bible
yourself, to see God's truths because everyone
participates.
In
the traditional church there are many programs from which to
choose. There are youth groups, different age groups,
couples groups and singles groups. In many churches these
programs are geared for their entertainment and very little if
any actual ministry goes on. In the home church there is one
group. Everything centers around the spiritual growth of the
entire group, and learning God's truths and His will for our
lives. They can concentrate on projects of outreach and
accomplish them. To go, be and do all that Jesus asks. We know
there are many fine churches around. There are also many
pastors who are teaching truth. I had a pastor in the past in
my church who wouldn't accept raises in his salary, a church
with no debt. He taught truth even though it was
controversial. I am sorry to say that he left after his truths
and he is no longer pastoring a church. Our church didn't want
the truth so he left after many sessions with the deacons,
telling him what he could teach. May God bless pastor's like I
had and the church that once was a loving family. The
same church is now a place that grew in numbers but, it is now
without a pastor for the third time. It is deep in debt with a
new large building and is spiritually blind. They wanted a
pastor to tickle their ears.
II Timothy 4:3-4 states: "For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their
ears tickled, they will accumulate or themselves teachers in
accordance to their own desire; and they will turn away their
ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths."
Most of the original church that was warm and giving is now
gone to other pastures. Each of us must make the decision of
where we are to go to church. Do it prayerfully and use keen
discernment.
Be with those who keep the commandments of God. Your spiritual
maturity depends on it!
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