We need to understand that churches are imperfect institutions filled with sinful people trying to learn to be like Christ. At the same time the church body (those who are members) formally affirm an individuals’ profession of faith and baptism as credible and trustworthy. In Matthew 18:20 while talking about the importance of purity within the church, Jesus tells the disciples, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Many use this verse to talk about the power of prayer meeting, but the reality is that this passage is talking about the authority of the church to affirm a persons walk with Christ based on the choices they are making. The Lord gives the body of Christ the authority to affirm that a person’s walk matches His words. If they do not the body of Christ responsibility is to evangelize the person living in sin, and no longer exhort them to repent. This gives us assurance in our walk and relationship with Christ, not because we we hope to get to heaven, but because there is a redemptive community that affirms our walk with the Lord. We must remember that … READ MORE

Churches are imperfect institutions filled with sinful people trying to learn to be like Christ. Paul wrote in Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.” All people struggle to live a life that is obedient to the Lord, yet Peter reminds us that we are to, “be holy in all your conduct,” (1 Pewter 1:15). This is a tough command, but an area that we need to learn and grow. How do we make this possible? One of the key ways that God has designed for us to do this is to live in a redemptive community, so that this community, can encourage you, and hold you accountable to growth and maturity. That redemptive community is to be a living organism, called “the church.” As followers of Jesus Christ, we become primarily citizens of heaven who live in America (or whatever country our redemptive community is in). As citizens of heaven, we are to hold each other accountable for our walk and relationship with Christ. According to Scripture, the local church is the … READ MORE

Can you imagine giving birth to a baby, and then saying to the child, have a good life, and I hope you are able to figure out how to grow and mature. That would be irresponsible at best, and criminal at worst. Yet, many times we approach someone’s rebirth into the kingdom of God, in just this manner. We say to the new believer, welcome to the family of God, hope you are able to navigate all the issues in growing and maturing. Looking to Christ as Lord means being united to Christ’s people. The church is more than a business that is being run with the gospel as its product. The church is to become a family to us, which will enable us to grow and mature. Every family member has responsibilities to fulfill within that family, and it is essential that they carry out those duties. Same is true in the church. The local church is the organism in which we are to carry out those responsibilities, and minister to the needs of each other. Therefore, the local church becomes to the believer, what parents are to become to a child. That church provides hope and help to … READ MORE