Saving Jesus from the church....  

Posted by Doug Griner in

"I have been in almost as many churches as Jesus has, and even some He hasn't"

How terrible to think that we could have "church" and Jesus not be present? Of course I know He is Omnipresent, but I think you get my point. So just what would church look like if Jesus were not there? Sadly, some would not miss Him, or even notice He was absent. In church we have mastered the ability to substitute anointing with production and relationship with programs. Over time we have grown accustomed to; even comfortable with; a very select few "leaders" having a direct encounter with Jesus and telling us about their experience.

We have had our inheritance stolen from us. Our birthright despised. A new priesthood has been established. We sit in "sanctuaries" week after week, but never really find "sanctuary" for our souls. Its time to save Jesus from the church.

The Church is supposed to be HIS body. The church is institional and budget driven.
The Church exists for HIS pleasure. The church exists for popular opinion.
The Church is a place of refuge. The church is a place that hurts people.
The Church is a place of inclusion. The church is a place of rejection.
The Church produces Faith Hope and Love. The church remimds me I'm not good enough.
The Church is a place to discover God's wisdom. The church creates catchy phrases.
The Church is on Fire with His Spirt. The church is fired up with personal preference.
The Church preaches salvation. The church encourages self help.

Its time to save Jesus from the church.
Its time to be the Church.

Which one are you a member of?

This entry was posted on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 3:28 PM and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

1 comments

Anonymous  

chI don't believe this side of Glory that anything will be perfect,not even the church.In any congregation you have so many people,all with different needs and personalities.Let's just face it,some folks just don't get it. They just aren't ready for complete submission to God's plan for their lives.I struggle with this still,but I'm doing better every day and God knows I want to follow Him. I know Christ is coming back for a spotless bride,but maybe the spotless part is all on Him and His blood, His perfect sacrifice. I believe in eternal security and that once your truly saved you are sealed and can't fall out of God's hand. You may drift but He'll draw you back. You'll go to heaven but you may lose some rewards. I believe eternal security makes one serve God because you love Him, and not out of fear.I can't imagine always being afraid of losing my salvation.
If we get hurt at church we have to forgive and carry on with the Lord's work and with evangelism.How would you start a church that would always be perfect,that would never hurt anyone? Where everything would always be perfectly fair? Where the people with more money didn't have more power than those who have less money.I believe the church you invision is wonderful,but a lot of folks would be afraid of it.Do you know how to start a church like that?

April 21, 2009 at 10:37 PM

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