So, where do I fit into the Church

 

Now that you have a good idea of where you stand and what you need to do to become stronger, I want to address the place and purpose of the Body of Christ and more specifically where you as an individual believer in Jesus Christ fits in.

 

The Body of Christ, whether as a global entity consisting of all denominational churches at congregational level. These are not ruled by a Minister, Priest, Pastor, Arch Bishop, Pope or even Angelic Beings. No, the Body of Christ is ruled by Jesus Christ and by Jesus Christ alone!!! (Colossians 2:19) Jesus has chosen to send the Holy Spirit as His representative on this earth to guide, teach and comfort Jesus’ Body, of which you are a member. (1 Corinthians 12:1 – 31 & 13: 1 - 13 )

 

If any person wants to rule over you, or tries to enforce authority over you they are misled. (Luke 22:25 - 27) Those who do not follow the instruction of Jesus that they ought to be servants to their brothers and sisters in Christ, do not deserve to even be listened to at all. Those who seek or enforce authority over other brothers and sisters (The flock they are to feed, not trap) will all be among those who cry “Lord, Lord, but we prophesied and healed and taught in Your Name” Jesus will turn to these and say “Away from me you evil doers” Matthew 7:21 - 23 (Matthew 25:31 - 46)

 

I am terrified of being among these people, and so I have determined to be a member of equal standing with my brothers and sisters and in fact consider every believer in Jesus, irrespective of how man has lifted them up to be equal to myself before God. In terms of my attitude, I consider myself a little brother to you all and a servant to both you and God Almighty.

 

If anyone thinks that they have “Divine Authority” among believers, they are not humble before God, and as such will be punished for it. You my friend are a team player (The body has many members (Colossians 2:19) There is only one captain, Jesus Christ, whom the Holy Spirit makes known to us on a continual basis.

 

I want to be very clear on this next point, as satan will try to twist this in your head.

You must listen to the word of God being preached. God has called certain people to preach, but they do not have authority over you. It is important that you draw the distinction between the authority to preach, which is a gift God gives to His servants and the authority to make you do or think things.

 

It works like this.

 

Someone preaches to you (and sometimes even quotes scripture too just like I am doing in this book.)

You then take the message and accept this message as Gospel Truth.

 

NO! NO! NO! A THOUSAND TIMES NO!!!!!

 

You do not accept it as Gospel Truth until you have studied the scriptures in their context and studied the message preached within the context of the Word of God with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (Who is your teacher (John 14:26) and makes things known to you.) God said that His people perish because they lack knowledge. (Hosea 4:6) You do not have the right picture.

 

If you are one of these who simply accept what you are told instead of reading the Bible and measuring everything said against the Bible, then you will perish. You will be misled. You may even be led into Hell. And why? Pure Laziness and no Passion for reading the Word of God, and dare I say, no real love for God or your eternal salvation.

 

Sorry that came out so harsh, but I am not allowed to change it. I as the messenger am apologising, but Jesus Christ, is not. God sees His children being misled and is angry with them because of their complacency. In fact He has already said in the Bible, that if you are not Hot (Passionate) for His cause and His Word, He will spit you out of His mouth (Revelations 3:15 - 19). My friend, make a choice, either become as close to a Jesus fanatic (Hot) as possible, or get out of the Church, eat drink and be merry, soon you will die, and then all that awaits you is Hell…. Your choice.

 

So why are there people like this in the Church of Jesus Christ?

 

3 main reasons really:

 

1.     People are Lazy and do not want to read the Bible themselves, or join a Bible Study. They want to be spoon-fed and do not care even if what they are fed is garbage or poison. They also do not mind going once a month. Sometimes, the more consciencous probably go once a week. The old, sick, and those in trouble would probably go once a week, all the time searching for a quick fix to their physical condition. Wanting to get some kind of reassurance, but walking out once again unfulfilled. The preacher who “lords” it over the flock, has failed if he has not made every effort to help these people to see the truth about themselves. He will be judged very harshly for such negligence.

 

2.     People are misled to believe that the person in charge has some special link between himself and God. They think that only the preacher has this special link. I once thought that too, many of my friends did too. I know that there are probably more than half of those in the Church of Christ who fall into this category. satan has kept so many Christians locked away from experiencing the beautiful personal relationship that Jesus, through His Holy Spirit wants to share with them. Now I know that many who preach are not aware that many of their flock may be feeling or thinking this, but their job is to make disciples. A disciple of Jesus Christ is not just someone who mindlessly follows a bunch of rules, traditions, dos and don’ts. No, a disciple is someone who has a personal relationship with God, who praises the Father, thanks the Son and has a personal relationship with Jesus, through the communication with the Holy Spirit. I have seen many who preach, lose their ministry because they never addressed this issue within their Church. Why don’t they? Simple. They are too proud. Too happy with their status. Pleased that they are “making a difference”. When all the while, they are, if not consciously then subconsciously depriving God of a personal relationship with His children. Beware, my brothers and sisters who preach. If this is happening in your Church, your ministry will be taken away from you and given to someone who will preach on how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Who will preach about the fact that the Holy Spirit is our teacher and comforter, and that if they will just listen, they will hear His voice and they will follow Him.

 

3.     Subconsciously and sometimes consciously, people think that well I will go to church, might even say a few prayers, read my Bible and be a good person. If there is a last judgement, then I will tell God that it was all my preachers fault. Well its time someone burst your happy little bubble and made you face reality. You will go to Hell because you did not do what you were supposed to do. You had no passion for God. You did not really care. For you it was just a happy little club. Your preacher may or may not be at fault. He will pay for His part in it, but you will get no lightening of your sentence.

 

The preacher’s job is to preach, not to make your life cool and fuzzy. He has a job given to him by God Almighty. He is to preach the uncompromising word of God, the Most High, ruler and creator and destroyer of the entire universe.

 

Whew!!!

 

I feel drained now.

 

I was not looking forward to this message, and in fact, I have dragged my heels a bit in getting to this point. But my Fathers Will is clear. He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) and if you get in the way of His will, you pay the price, me included. None of us enjoy any special treatment when it comes to how God treats us. (Deuteronomy 10:16 - 17)

 

Fortunately I sense that the rest of this book is going to be more of the encouraging and strengthening side so I will look forward to my next message.

 

Thankyou for visiting this page.  brother and sisters have also popped in. 

You are most welcome to return again.

May God Almighty, Who made you on purpose and for a purpose, show you His purpose for your life.

 

Feel free to send this page to the Christian brothers and sisters that the Holy Spirit lays on your heart to send to.

 

Your little brother in [Jesus Christ, He who said that unles you deny yourself and follow Him, you cannot be His disciple]

 

Rick Evans (TheArmyofGod@softhome.net)