Big C little c... What do you see

Author:
June 26, 2020

Good evening ladies, it's been a minute since we have had a pearl.

 We want you to know that we are looking forward to what the upcoming months will bring to our Life family.

As we enter the height of the summer we will also be re-sharing some of our prior pearls.  Ladies I am aware that we have many writers in our midst so do not be shy send us some of your writings, we are always excited to have new submissions to share with our ladies.

 

This was forwarded to me from a friend.

 It isn't an original writing nevertheless it is definitely something we can reflect on as we open the discussion lines on our purpose in the church and the church's purpose in our lives.

 

You may have heard this before... "Today’s church service just didn’t do anything for me. Sunday mornings are my only day of the week to sleep late and I hate dragging myself out of bed to go to church and get nothing out of it".

Some of us have tried out several different kinds of churches, mega-churches, small churches. Funky retro churches that meet in strip malls or coffee bars.

 

Some of us; if we dare to be transparent; think the church we're attending now is OK, but we are still looking for something that really catches the attention. Some may even say this is just a waiting place or stop off until I get to my true church.  Yes they invite me to groups and events, but what’s the point when really the search is still on for something we "think" is bigger, better, deeper, or more spiritual. Something that is a fit especially for you. Occasionally we glance over the bulletins or watch the announcements, scanning for ministries that might suit or excite us, but we rarely find anything that peaks the interest.  We may see things happening in the various ministries—but no way, thank you will we be giving our time to do any hands on "work".

Many of us have the mindset I come to church to relax (to get something), not to serve or work like I do at my job.

 

The thing is most of us don't have a full understanding of the purpose of the church.

 The church does not exist for us, though we are central to its existence.

The capital-C Church—which is the big-picture, universal Church that includes all believers—exists for Jesus alone. The Church is his bride (Revelation 19:7)

 

The little-c church—which is the local church in our community—is how God reaches the masses with His gospel and love. It is also an incubator for baby Christians, a hospital for hurting people, a gathering place for all to worship and an opportunity for maturing believers to hone their spiritual gifts through serving one another.

 

Although it is human nature to make life “all about me,” the church is actually all about serving Jesus through serving his people.

 

That’s why our reasoning's about the music being too loud or too dull, the pastor talking too long or the Word at the church isn't deep enough for our spiritual growth, the service starting too early or too late and all the other rationales for why we resent the church for not catering to us really does not matter.  So the next time we try to make church all about us, remember this:

• The church is Jesus’ body  (1 Corinthians 12:27)
• Jesus promises to build his church—regardless of our personal tastes (Matthew16:18) 
• Jesus loved the church so much that he died for it.                                                          The church matters to him, so it should matter to us ( 2 Corinthians 5:20-21)

So my sisters let's make church more about Jesus and less about us, and look for ways to love the body of Christ through our serving.

Our church is the classroom for learning how to get along in God’s family. It is a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic love. We should not be seeking rewards in our doing and serving; nevertheless God will bless our unselfish actions by meeting and  abundantly exceeding our needs in return if we will just put him and his church first.

 

Matthew 6:33

 

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