The power of a church – Part 1

For many Christians, finding a church is about the right youth program, the right social standing, the right ability to attend without conviction from the people or pastor, the right number of young adults for a person to find a spouse, the right sermon series that is relevant to today’s culture, the best coffee and doughnuts, etc..  None of these things listed are the power of a church but reasons of the flesh to gather in a building with people who believe God exists and attend the gathering for selfish reasons. 

The power of a church is not in attending a gathering but finding where God has called each person to be rooted, planted, grounded into a congregation who are on assignment from God and under a pastor who has been raised up and sent out according to the book of Acts (Acts 13:2-3; Ephesians 4:11-12).  A church is biblically designed to educate people on the Word of God, sharpen one another with the Word of God, provoke one another to love and good works, be discipled by the pastor, serve in the tasks and missions God has for that region, and be a family of people serving together until Jesus’ return (2 Timothy 2:15; Colossians 3:16; Proverbs 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Hebrews 10:24-25; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Acts 2:42; Galatians 6:10).  The power of a church is also not in the size of the congregation but in the authority God has to move by His Holy Spirit within the congregation gathering for service (Acts 2:1-43). 

While a whole army that declared to serve God and the king He established was afraid of one man, a young lad by the name of David came in the power of the name of God to take down Goliath, building the courage back into the army that was once scared of making a move (1 Samuel 17).  The power of a church is in the obedience to the Word of God individually and collectively.  When individuals obey the Word of God within their lives personally, they are preparing themselves for greater moves of God when gathering as the Body of Christ collectively.  A biblical church challenges Christians to grow from faith to faith and glory to glory (Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:10).  The deception of a gathering, even in the name of a church, is to make a person comfortable and not challenged to be a better Christian but to be told pleasant things to keep people coming back (1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16).

God has not called people to be comfortable but to victory through running their race, keeping the faith, overcoming spiritual enemies, and keeping their flesh in subjection (Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7; Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Timothy 2:5; Acts 20:24; Hebrews 10:36).  In being led by the Spirit and having a relationship with God, a person produces peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  The power of a church helps individuals cultivate these fruits of the Spirit by helping each person mature in the things of God.  May more Christians get away from the gathering of flesh, believing God exists but denying Him not living for Him, and understand the power of a biblical church to grow in a true relationship with God.  

For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.