Tag: church

So, Are we Considering the Question: Why we Bother with Church Anyway? Matthew 16:13-20

Matthew 16:13-20 Amplified Bible

Peter’s Confession of Christ

13 Now when Jesus went into the [a]region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.”  17 Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I say to you that you are [b]Peter, and on this [c]rock I will build My church; and the [d]gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ]. 19 I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth [e]will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth [f]will have [already] been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then He gave the disciples strict orders to tell no one that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Debating: Why Does Anyone Bother with Church?

In his book Church: Why Bother? Philip Yancey tells a story about a prostitute who had reached the end of the road.

She was desperate and did not know where to turn. Someone then suggested connecting with a local church. She answered, “Why would I do that? I feel bad enough about myself already. They’d only make me feel worse.”

When I asked someone once why he had given up on going to church, he said, “There’s nothing there for me.”

With the current state of division and disarray and disaffiliation, it is not at all unreasonable or irrational to keep right on asking “Why bother with church?”

The answer to that hot button question is found in today’s Bible reading and is summed up in just one phrase, where Jesus says, “I will build my church.”

The church is not any ordinary organization founded by just anyone. The church is founded by Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior who is the head of the church. According to the Bible, the church is the body of Christ. Belonging to the church is a sacred privilege, a high responsibility never to be taken for granted.

Matthew 6:32-33 Amplified Bible

32 For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

The church is here to continue the work of Christ on earth and to build God’s kingdom. You and I need the church in order to be equipped for service, to enjoy the fellowship of other believers, to honor our Lord through faithful worship.

Can, Should We, Believe The Church Is Here to Stay?

Hebrews 10:22-25 The Message

22-25 So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

The first one ever to use the word church was not the apostle Paul. Rather, it was Jesus Himself. He said, “Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (Matthew 16:18 NLT).

When Jesus walked this earth, He started only one organization, and that, of course, was the church.

By emphatically stating the gates of Hell will not conquer His church, Jesus was saying, “Listen, this church is here to stay. Against all odds, it will prevail.”

Interestingly, Jesus made this statement at a place called Caesarea Philippi. We could miss the significance of that altogether. But Caesarea Philippi was a place of paganism and false belief. In fact, the Greeks had dedicated Caesarea Philippi to Pan, one of their gods. And if you were to go there today, you would see what is left of a site dedicated to false gods and idols.

In contrast, the foundation of the church is Christ Himself.

He will build His church, and the gates of Hell will not conquer it.

This reminds us that the church will face hostility and opposition.

The word church comes from the Greek word ecclesia.

And ecclesia consists of two other terms that mean “out from” and “called.”

When we put them together, the meaning of ecclesia, or church, is “called out from.”

From what is the church called out? We are called out from this world and this culture. Jesus was saying, “My followers should be separate from this culture.”

But we also are called to.

God has called us to Himself and to one another.

Wherever God’s people gather together, that place turns into a sanctuary.

That’s because the church is not a building; it is people.

Jesus said, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20 NLT). That is what the church is.

When we love God, we also will love His children.

And when we don’t love His children, then the question arises as to how much we really love God.

It is popular today to criticize the church. But understand this: when you speak critically of the church, you are speaking critically of those whom Jesus loves.

Some people claim to be Christians, but they don’t attend church. However, if you really are a Christian, then you should long to be seated with God’s people.

The Bible says,

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25 NLT)

If you love God, then you will love His people.

As Christians, we need to live up to our name, which means “Christ followers.” And we need to be Christlike.

Colossians 3:1-4 The Message

He Is Your Life

3 1-2 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ,  act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from only his  perspective.

3-4 Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

Colossians 3:12-17 The Message

12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

When we read Matthew 16:18, some think that God was saying that He would build His church through Peter. Certainly God used Peter to build the church.

However, the “rock” that Jesus was referring to was the truth of what Peter had said just before this.

In Matthew 16:13, Jesus had asked the disciples, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” The disciples give various answer and then Jesus asked the disciples, “Whom do you say I am?”

In verse 16, Peter answers, “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

It is this truth on which God built and established the church. It the most basic foundational truth about which we build our spiritual beliefs as Christians.

In fact, I believe that you cannot be a Christian until you first settle and answer Jesus’ question for yourself against the reality of sin: “Who do you say I am?”

Peter understood Jesus’ true identity as God had revealed it to him.

It was this foundational truth that Peter took with him as he preached and played a critically important role in the kingdom, the spread of Christianity.

However, it’s also important to note that Jesus said, I will build my church. 

It wasn’t Peter’s responsibility to build the church.

Peter’s job was to tell others about Jesus and then Jesus alone holds the real responsibility for the growth and expansion of the church. Peter’s job was to “go and tell.” Jesus’ job is to build the church through our own generations .

As followers of Christ, We have the same job today that Peter had – to go and tell. Then we leave the rest up to God and allow Christ to build His church.

We are all responsible for telling others about our Savior. But first we must settle in our hearts the answer to the question that Jesus asked the disciples.

So, if Jesus were to look you directly in your 20/20 eyes and asked you today:

“Who do you say that I am?” When do you, what would be your answer?

Would Jesus’ response to your answer be “I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard it not what I meant” or would He say to you, like Peter: “Blessed are you, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father alone who is in heaven. And I also say to you that on this rock I will build My church.”

If each of us would be what we ought to be as followers of Jesus and as a part of the church, what a difference it would make in our homes, neighborhoods, our communities, our schools, our playgrounds, streets, country, and the world.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Ephesians 4:1-6 The Message

To Be Mature

4 1-3 In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

4-6 You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

Prayer for God’s People (Ephesians 1:17-19)

God of our Lord Jesus, the Liberating King, Father of Glory:

I call out to You on behalf of Your people, the Body of Christ, the Church in the world. Give them one mind, ready to receive thy wisdom and revelation so they will truly know You. Open the eyes of their hearts and let the light of Your truth flood in. Show them all what You have promised them. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the truly glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance. Let them see the full extent of Your power that is at work in those of us who believe, and may it be done according to Your might and power alone. Amen.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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The Bride and the Bridegroom, The Husband and the Wife; When You Are Simply not Feeling very Compatible. 1Corinthians 1:10

1 Corinthians 1:10-25 The Message

The Cross: The Irony of God’s Wisdom

10 I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master. I’ll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common.

11-12 I bring this up because some from Chloe’s family brought a most disturbing report to my attention—that you’re fighting among yourselves! I’ll tell you exactly what I was told: You’re all picking sides, going around saying, “I’m on Paul’s side,” or “I’m for Apollos,” or “Peter is my man,” or “I’m in the Messiah group.”

13-16 I ask you, “Has the Messiah been chopped up in little pieces so we can each have a relic all our own? Was Paul crucified for you? Was a single one of you baptized in Paul’s name?” I was not involved with any of your baptisms—except for Crispus and Gaius—and on getting this report, I’m sure glad I wasn’t. At least no one can go around saying he was baptized in my name. (Come to think of it, I also baptized Stephanas’s family, but as far as I can recall, that’s it.)

17 God didn’t send me out to collect a following for myself, but to preach the Message of what he has done, collecting a following for him. And he didn’t send me to do it with a lot of fancy rhetoric of my own, lest the powerful action at the center—Christ on the Cross—be trivialized into mere words.

18-21 The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written,

I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head,
I’ll expose so-called experts as shams.

So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered stupid—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation.

22-25 While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom, we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle—and Greeks pass it off as absurd. But to us who are personally called by God himself—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so cheap, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness.”

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

I am wondering today as I write this devotional today if we can all agree on this;

Brides and Bridegrooms, Husbands and Wives, the Body of Christ, we all called by God to be holy and set apart unto Him but we are also called into fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters in Christ. We are each urged by God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to be of the same mind and of the same judgment.

The divisions and the disunity that was evident within the Corinthian church so long ago, is equally, publicly, conspicuous in the Body of Christ today, and Paul and the community and unity of the Trinity are lovingly exhorting each one of us to agree amongst ourselves so that there is no disharmony, disagreement, or dissention amongst us. Can we stop taking shavings out of the Cross of Christ?

This call for singleness of heart is founded only upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and never our preferred preacher or favored ministry, or our preferred theologies, ideologies, political zealousness, denominational tactics.

We are to have the mind of Christ. We are to develop the same attitude of heart toward each other Christ Jesus has for us so that with one mind and one voice we may only glorify our God Who in heaven, our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Timothy 2:4-7 The Message

4-7 He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.

In a time when there are ever deepening divisions in the world, how important is it to go out of our way to love our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ?

Can we not just be about God’s business; let us be those who build each other up in love, encouraging and comforting each other as we see the day approaching?

And can we not just be husband and wife, being husband and wife in unity, may our love for each other flow out into the world so that unbelievers may see our love, be drawn to Jesus, and enter into a saving knowledge of our loving Savior?

When You Simply Aren’t Feeling the Compatibility

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 Amplified Bible

10 But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith]. 11 For I have been informed about you, my brothers and sisters, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are quarrels and factions among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I am [a disciple] of Paul,” or “I am [a disciple] of Apollos,” or “I am [a disciple] of Cephas (Peter),” or “I am [a disciple] of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided [into different parts]? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? [Certainly not!] 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say that you were baptized into my name. 16 Now I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know if I baptized anyone else. 17 For Christ did not send me [as an apostle] to baptize, but [commissioned and empowered me] to preach the good news [of salvation]—not with clever and eloquent speech [as an orator], so that the cross of Christ would not be [a]made ineffective [deprived of its saving power].

Some say opposites attract.

Others urge couples to marry someone with whom they have lots in common.

Regardless of how the relationship starts out, there will almost inevitably come a season or two in a couple’s life where they just aren’t feeling very compatible.

People will inevitably grow and change over the years as individuals, so what perhaps started out as having a lot in common, morphed into having more differences than connections. This growth and its subsequent change can be very discouraging for couples, and even turn into a frequent source of conflict.

In a very tangible sense, Jesus Christ and compromise is usually the key.

If one half of the married couple enjoys science fiction or fantasy movies, and the other prefers dramas, documentaries or romantic comedies, take turns.

Someone loves Thai food but hates seafood?

Simply switch out who gets to choose on every other date night.

It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require a generous, humble and patient and merciful heart toward your spouse. You might not love the food or activity in question, but you love your spouse, so there is always a measure of joy to be found in going along with what delights them, brings them happiness.

When both people in the marriage do this for each other, unity can be found.

But some areas of differences in marriage don’t always get resolved so easily.

Perhaps your frequent incompatibility with your spouse isn’t over surface level decisions such as what to eat or what movie to watch, but rather, are deeper issues of the heart, such as parenting styles, family relationships, theologies.

These types of differences can grow argumentative, wearisome, but take heart!

If you both take time to pick up a Bible, study it together, pray over it together and patiently wait for God, You just might not be quite as different as you fear.

Step back from the frequent arguing or disunity, take a breath, to look at each other, into their eyes as God looks into ours, and ask yourself these questions.

Does my spouse love God? Do I love God?

Does my spouse desire the best for our family? Do I?

Does my spouse seek to follow after Jesus? Do I?

Does my spouse look to grow our children in the Lord? Do I?

Does my spouse desire unity in our home? Do I?

Does my spouse love me despite our differences? Do I love my spouse?

If the above answers are yes, congratulations!

Start there.

Continue here …

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Amplified Bible

9 Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; 10 for if [a]either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up. 11  Again, if two lie down together, then they keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?  12 And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Instead of the two of you fixating on what you can’t change about each other, focus with God the Father, Son, Spirit, on where you do agree and build on that. 

When Paul wrote to the church of Corinth in 1 Corinthians, he urged them toward unity. Not because they were arguing over the color of the carpet in the sanctuary, but because of their particularly unique leadership and mentality.

Some were saying they followed the teachings of Paul, others claimed Apollos or Cephas. Paul was reminding them to drop their pride. keep first things first.

1 Corinthians 8:5-13 Amplified Bible

5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, [a]who is the source of all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things [that have been created], and we [believers exist and have life and have been redeemed] through Him.

7 However, not all [believers] have this knowledge. But some, being accustomed [throughout their lives] to [thinking of] the idol until now [as real and living], still eat food [b]as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and because their conscience is weak, it is defiled (guilty, ashamed). 8 Now food will not commend us to God nor bring us close to Him; we are no worse off if we do not eat, nor are we better if we do eat. 9  Only be careful that this liberty of yours [this power to choose] does not somehow become a stumbling block [that is, a temptation to sin] to the weak [in conscience]. 10 For if someone sees you, a person having [c]knowledge, [d]eating in an idol’s temple, then if he is weak, will he not be encouraged to eat things sacrificed to idols [and violate his own convictions]? 11 For through your knowledge (spiritual maturity) this weak man is ruined [that is, he suffers in his spiritual life], the brother for whom Christ died.  12 And when you sin against the brothers and sisters in this way and wound their weak conscience [by confusing them], you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if [my eating a certain] food causes my brother to stumble (sin), I will not eat [such] meat ever again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

To stay united on what really mattered, to be of one mind and one doctrine.

We can learn the exact same lessons in our marriages. Running with endurance alongside our spouse is a sure way to keep our focus on God and Jesus, off petty differences and toward common goals – unity and community, pray together, ask the Lord to unite you in the areas where it matters most—on His kingdom.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Heavenly Father, forgive the times when I have allowed foolish pride or a careless attitude to cause disunity to fester within my heart towards my brothers and sisters in Christ. May I be of one heart and mind with other believers, knowing that we are all one in Christ Jesus our Lord, in Whose name I pray, AMEN.

Matthew 6:9-13 Amplified Bible

9 “Pray, then, [a]in this way:

‘Our Father, who is in heaven,
[b]Hallowed be Your name.
10 
‘[c]Your kingdom come,
Your [d]will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 
‘Give us this day our [e]daily bread.
12 
‘And forgive us our [f]debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment].
13 
‘And do not [g]lead us into temptation, but deliver us from [h]evil. [i][For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Serving Ourselves, Serving Culture, or Serving God; Our Choice No Matter What Else May Happens. 2 Timothy 3

2 Timothy 3:1-8 New American Standard Bible 1995

“Difficult Times Will Come”

3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, [a]haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of [b]godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 6 For among them are those who [c]enter into households and captivate [d]weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7 always learning and never able to come to the [e] knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.

10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, [g] perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is [h]inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for [i] training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

What do we believe is the meaning of 2Timothy 3:1-5?

2 Timothy 3:1-5Amplified Bible

“Difficult Times Will Come”

3 But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3 [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

What is the meaning of 2 Timothy 3:1-5? I don’t know about you, but I have too often heard people recite these verses as evidence that we are living in the End Times. If you look at this following list, you would be hard-pressed to disagree.

Let’s go through the list quickly:

  • Difficult times – certainly many would say our 2024 times are difficult
  • Lovers of self – people sure do look out for number one over everything else
  • Lovers of money – we are a money loving world
  • Boastful, arrogant, revilers – all true of people today
  • Disobedient to parents – scarily true, thanks to Dr. Spock for this one
  • Ungrateful, unholy, unloving – yes, yes and yes
  • Irreconcilable, malicious gossips – Unforgiving? Check. Gossips? Check.
  • Without self-control – absolutely
  • Brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited – all true
  • Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – It’s all about what makes people feel good and God has been removed from all areas of life
  • Holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power – Everyone thinks they’re good people and going to heaven, though they want nothing to do with the God who is in Heaven.

There we have it. These verses are evidence that we are living in the End Times.

There’s only one problem.

These verses are not speaking about society in general. They are speaking about a very specific group of people.

The People Mentioned in 2 Timothy 3

Here’s the reality: people have always been like this. Go through the list again and think of a time that those types of people did not exist.

We see them today, for sure, but they were around 100 years ago as well.

They were there in the time of Jesus; just look at the Pharisees.

They were there in the times of the Jewish Kings and the Jewish Judges.

They were there when Joseph was thrown into the pit and then sold into slavery.

They were there when Noah was building the Ark.

So if these people have always been around, then why would God give us this passage from Timothy ?

It’s like saying, “The End Times will come about when people are walking and talking.”

The whole entire world itself cannot be the subject of these verses.

Although it is sufficient to acknowledge there is no shortage of these people living amongst us as our neighbors, governing authorities, business leaders. and a whole host of other common places including of our own workplaces.

But, the “whole world,” It makes no sense.

We just cannot rationally lump everybody into these categories Paul mentions.

He must have something else in mind.

God gives us these verses to look at ourselves, The Church.

Christians are the subject God has in focus in these verses.

The Church in History

Throughout her history, the Church has been known as sanctified.

In other words, she was separated out from the world.

She did not look like the world, sound like the world, or act like the world.

This was why people were drawn to her in the first place.

She was different from anything else in the world.

Here is one view of what Christians looked like, from a Greek convert named Aristides:

“They love one another. They never fail to help widows; they save orphans from those who will hurt them. If they have something, they give freely to the man who has nothing; if they see a stranger, they take him home and are happy, as though he were a real brother. They don’t consider themselves brothers and sisters in the usual sense, but brothers instead through the Spirit, in God.”

Chuck Colson, in his book, The Faith writes:

“The Christians’ God expected that His followers would acknowledge His love by sacrificing themselves for others. They were to extend God’s love not merely to their families and friends but to their enemies as well. “Love one another” became their standard… (Regarding those who had fallen ill due to the plague) The care Christians showed often did result in their succumbing to the plague themselves. But paradoxically, their compassion did not deplete Christian ranks in the long term – quite the reverse. Tending to the sick increased the disease survival rate by as much as two-thirds and this witness attracted many new converts. By acting on the teachings of Christ, without regard to their own welfare, these Christians, against all expectations, progressed from being a small sect to the dominant cultural group.“

This is what the church looked like – loving selflessly, persecuted unto death, giving sacrificially.

Testing Ourselves and Testing the Church

2 Timothy 3:10-17 Amplified Bible

10 Now you have diligently followed [my example, that is] my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, 11 persecutions, and sufferings—such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, but the Lord rescued me from them all! 12 Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith]. 13 But evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness]. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted  and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We go back to the passage in 2 Timothy 3 and review these aspects again.

However, this time with an eye to the Church today rather than the world as the subject of Paul’s writing:

  • Difficult times – Christians are the most persecuted people group in the world, even now in America
  • Lovers of self – Unfortunately, most Christians now look like the world, putting themselves and their families before others
  • Lovers of money – As Christians look more like the world, they also act like the world. Ask them to put all the money that is in their wallet into the offering. Good luck with that.
  • Boastful, arrogant, revilers – just check out the social media of many Christians
  • Disobedient to parents – scarily most Christians raise their children using the wisdom of the world rather than the wisdom of the Bible, resulting in Christians who always spare the rod
  • Ungrateful, unholy, unloving – Can you be a Christian and be ungrateful, unholy and unloving? Look at the members of your nearest megachurch and it will be easy to find them.
  • Irreconcilable, malicious gossips – I’ve met many Christians who are unforgiving and gossips
  • Without self-control – Ask a Christian to fast for a day. How about pray for an hour? Or study the Bible for an hour? Too hard, can’t do it. Zero discipline.
  • Brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited – Christians hate those who disagree with them. They can be brutal in their thought, words and deeds. Most Christians hate the idea of Discipline, Humility, Meekness and Sacrifice – all good things. Many are thoughtless. Most are proud.
  • Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – How many Christians would rather go to a 3-hour church service or prayer meeting than to a movie or ball game?
  • Holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power – Most Christians more resemble the Pharisees of Jesus’ time than they resemble Jesus. Jesus called them white washed tombs.

Matthew 23:25-28 Amplified Bible

25 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed). 26 You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate [examine and change your inner self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the outside [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.

27 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. 28 So you, also, outwardly seem to be just and  upright to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

What is to be our Response

Are we in the End Times?

Does the Church, our home church, look like 2 Timothy 3, Matthew 23:25-28?

Maybe, maybe not.

The more important question is what are we to BIBLICALLY do about this?

2 Timothy 3:14-17 Amplified Bible

14 But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them, 15  and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness]. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

If we think or believe that the Church today indelibly proves we are living in the End Times, how then will you and I and the Church conduct ourselves today?

Will you reach out to a lost person to share the gospel before it’s too late?

Will you or I or we the church repent and confess and decide to become obedient to the word of God in all ways, not only just those things that you can do easily?

Here’s the truth: whether we are in the End Times or not, Jesus has given us a playbook to live by.

Matthew 9:35-38 Amplified Bible

35 Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages [in Galilee], teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness [His words and His works reflecting His Messiahship].

36 When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion and pity for them, because they were dispirited and distressed, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is [indeed] plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

He expects that we will follow it regardless of how soon His coming might be.

The reason He did not give us a Time and Date of His coming is so that every day, we might live as if it was the last day.

Acts 2:43-47 Amplified Bible

43 A sense of awe was felt by [a]everyone, and many wonders and signs (attesting miracles) were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed [in Jesus as Savior] [b]were together and had all things in common [considering their possessions to belong to the group as a whole].  45 And they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing the proceeds with all [the other believers], as anyone had need. 46 Day after day they met in the temple [area] continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes. They were eating their meals together with joy and generous hearts, 47 praising God continually, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

If every Christian did these things, the Church would look completely different.

It would look more like the early church that we read about earlier.

We may not be able to change the Church in a day, but we can change ourselves.

Let’s live like Biblical Christians (Acts 2), even as we watch, wait for His return.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 84 The Message

84 1-2 What a beautiful home, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
    I’ve always longed to live in a place like this,
Always dreamed of a room in your house,
    where I could sing for joy to God-alive!

3-4 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house,
    sparrows and swallows make nests there.
They lay their eggs and raise their young,
    singing their songs in the place where we worship.
God-of-the-Angel-Armies! King! God!
    How blessed they are to live and sing there!

5-7 And how blessed all those in whom you live,
    whose lives become roads you travel;
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
    discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and
    at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!

8-9 God-of-the-Angel-Armies, listen:
    O God of Jacob, open your ears—I’m praying!
Look at our shields, glistening in the sun,
    our faces, shining with your gracious anointing.

10-12 One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship,
    beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches.
I’d rather scrub floors in the house of my God
    than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.
All sunshine and sovereign is God,
    generous in gifts and glory.
He doesn’t scrimp with his traveling companions.
    It’s smooth sailing all the way with God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Tilling those Soils of our Hearts: We are the Body of Christ – The Church. Romans 12:3-5

Romans 12:3-5 New American Standard Bible 1995

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

One of the key realities of Christianity is belonging.

I belong! I belong to God.

I belong to Jesus.

I belong to the Holy Spirit.

I belong to Jesus’ body, the Church.

I have a critically important place, a critically important purpose in that body.

I belong! I am needed!

I have a critically important job to do!

I belong!!

One of the most useful gifts God has given us for making our hearts receptive to him is each other.

The church is both a beautiful and broken group of people.

Beautiful because of the grace of God that is working in each and every one of us making us more like Jesus.

Broken because we have yet to walk in the complete fullness of what Christ did for us on the cross.

Most of us have been wounded by something that happened in a church.

Most of us have felt anger, frustration, or annoyance with a fellow believer.

But if we are to walk in the fullness of what God intends for us here on earth, we must continually forgive, ask forgiveness from each other, submit ourselves to a group of Christ followers, share life with believers in accordance with God’s Word.

The Bible is crystal clear that the best place for us to thrive is in community with fellow believers. 

Romans 12:5 teaches us that we are all “one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” 

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” 

And Ephesians 4:15-16 teaches us “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” 

We need each other.

We are joined together as the body of Christ made to function as one—both for our edification and the fulfillment of God’s own eternal purposes in the world.

In order to make the soil of your heart soft and tillable and receptive to God, you must have help from those neighbors which God has placed all around you.

We are created to worship with the body of Christ for all eternity, and that includes exactly right now!

Do not wait to live out the promises of God.

The church is not perfect, but it is God’s Bride.

His desire is for His people, and God loves to pour out His presence in unique and specific ways when we gather together and we must reciprocate – desire.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 New American Standard Bible 1995

Christian Conduct

12 But we request of you, brethren, that you [a]appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you [b] instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the [c]unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

There is edification you need that can only take place in the presence of fellow believers.

There is blessing that can only be received when you open your heart to the family of God.

We all have wounds; we all need grace; we all need each other.

The very person who most annoys you might need you the most.

Just as you need what fellow believers around you have to offer you, others need who God has uniquely designed you to be.

God asks us to humble ourselves before him and each other. 

Philippians 2:3 teaches us to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” 

When you consciously choose to humble yourself before God, before man, you will find a true peace that is never available in living for your own ambitions.

When you submit yourself to imperfect people, you give away your sense of entitlement and find the grace of God that’s poured out on those who truly count others as more significant than themselves.

It’s in the submission to others and giving away of our own rights that the soil of our heart is made soft and receptive to God.

It’s in spending time with fellow imperfect people that we become edified and are spurred on toward spending more time with God.

Often it’s in the extending of grace and forgiveness to each other that we become most like Christ, the one who suffered and died in the ultimate act of humility to we who are unworthy.

Offer love to those who don’t deserve it.

Place yourself in community with those who are imperfect.

Open your heart to those who might not treat you with perfect kindness.

Find your unique place in the body and serve the community God has placed you in with true faithfulness so you might be fashioned into the likeness of Christ.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,    

Let us Pray,

Guided Prayer:

1. Ask God to show you the community he would have you be a part of.

Whether this answer comes to us immediately or through seeking and visiting churches, trust that God will guide you to the local body he has planned for you.

2. Ask God to show you your place in the community.

This will change over time, so it’s good to continually ask God this question, especially if you feel out of place.

3. Now ask God to show you how he feels about the church.

We aren’t meant to live and love out of our own strength.

Instead, we are to seek God’s heart for his people and align ourselves with him.

God’s desire for the church is untold ages long, vast and powerful.

Isaiah 53:5-6 New American Standard Bible 1995

5 But He was [a]pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our [b]well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all
To [c]fall on Him.

He has loved his people in perfect faithfulness despite all our transgressions and wandering.

When we fail to show grace and love to those around us, we fail to live out of God’s heart for his people.

If you want to live a life as near to God’s heart as possible you must search him out with the rest of his body.

One day we will all be made perfect and be able to worship together face to face with the living God.

One day, every tribe, tongue and nation will declare together the wonders of God’s amazing love.

Live in light of eternity today. 

Worship here as you will in heaven, and watch as heaven invades earth around you with the glory and love of God, the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

Help me, ABBA Father, to find the place where you made me to fit into Jesus’ body, the church. Until I know my exact place to serve and use my gifts, I pledge to work in all sorts of ministries so that your Spirit, and not just my own preference, will guide me into your place for me to serve. Thank you for giving me a unique place not only to belong, but also serve, be a part of Jesus’ bodily presence in the world. Jesus’ name.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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