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A few years ago, I was in the process of talking with the Green Bay Packers and a few other NFL teams. During that time, there was also a semi-pro team in my hometown that wanted me to join them. I didn’t know much about semi-pro because, for the most part, I was only focused on the NFL and nothing other than that drew my interest. However, I was looking for some people to train against to sharpen my skills, so I decided to join the semi-pro team for a practice.
At that point in my life, football was an every day thing for me. It dictated how much I ate, how much I slept, and included very hard training sessions multiple times each day. After practicing with the semi-pro team, however, I noticed that none of the players were dedicated to the sport. To them, football was just a hobby, a way to relive their glory days. They would show up to practice whenever, give half effort, and I even saw them smoking cigarettes after practice.
I remember thinking to myself, “Who actually calls this a football team? Is this something that a random group of out-of-shape men made up themselves?”
I remember the head coach of the team told me, “If it doesn’t work out with the Packers, you should join us.”
If I’m being honest, when he said this I thought to myself, “If it doesn’t work out with the Packers, I’d rather not play football at all than play with your team.”
The interesting thing about coming to Christ is that there are tons of groups of people that claim to have assembled a church. Isn’t it interesting that pretty much anyone can buy a building to start up a church? You don’t need anything besides money and a few people with you to start a "church".
"24 The God who created the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, because it is He who gives to all [people] life and breath and all things." - Acts 17:24-25 AMP
Similar to the semi-pro team that called themselves a football team without meeting any criteria that would label them as such, we have done this same thing with the church. We have groups of people that give minimum effort and think of church as just something to do on Sundays because there’s nothing else on their schedule.
"15 I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth! 17 For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be [truly] wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see." - Revelation 3:15-18 AMPC
The sad reality is that just because we say we have a church doesn’t mean it actually is one…
Today in America, a man wakes up and says that he’s a woman. But this doesn’t actually change anything does it? We see in the Bible what God defines as a church and it’s not merely a building, but rather a group of people who are willing to put everything in their lives to the side for Him.
"42 And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers. 43 And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers). 44 And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common; 45 And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need. 46 And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts, 47 Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death]." - Acts 2:42-47 AMPC
We see in the Bible that the first church that assembled after the death of Jesus was a group of people that were willing to sell all that they owned and place it at the feet of the apostles as an offering, along with their very lives.
"34 Nor was there a destitute or needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell them, and one by one they brought (gave back) the amount received from the sales 35 And laid it at the feet of the apostles (special messengers). Then distribution was made according as anyone had need." - Acts 4:34-35 AMPC
God saw this passion, dedication, and devotion and He labeled this as a church. Not based on the number or the building, but based on the hearts and devotion of the people to Him. The sad reality is that most of us aren’t actually a part of a church, but rather a Sunday social club. God saw the devotion and commitment of the church after the death of Jesus, and this is what He expects from us today.
"5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] 6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, 7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being." - Philippians 2:5-7 AMPC
"15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." - John 13:15-17 KJV
Jesus came on this earth and showed us the way to live with each other. He humbled Himself and lived with His disciples as a family. This is God's example of love. This is God's example of church.
A question comes to mind — Can we find people today that are willing to sell their houses and everything they own and place it at the feet of someone that’s leading them spiritually? By God’s definition of a church, do we see any that fit this standard?
It’s interesting that Christians are enraged at the thought of someone changing their gender, but we have all went along with someone changing the identity and standard of the church.
The Question of the Day: Would God consider your church a church?