How do we build a church for the Glory of God? It's simple: 1) keep a thriving relationship with Christ, 2) fellowship with other believers, 3) share the gospel in your community.
To answer this let's dive into the Word and look at the 2nd chapter of Acts. Just to set the backdrop the disciples (now called Apostles because they physically saw Jesus) were waiting in Jerusalem on the promise of God's Holy Spirit. Christ told them to tarry in Jerusalem until God poured out His Spirit upon them (Acts 1:1-11). At the beginning of Acts 2:1-13 we find the Apostles praying to Lord and later being filled with God's Spirit, as the Lord pours His Spirit out, the Apostles begin to speak in foreign Languages. The first thing we notice is this rag-tag group of men and women devoted themselves to Christ. These just weren't people who were meeting for brunch or a social gathering. They were actually meeting out of obedience to what Jesus had told them to do. This shows me how devoted these men and women were. It tells me that they loved Jesus because they were walking in obedience. The Word tells us if we love God we will keep His Commandments (John 14:15). These were the disciples who walked with Jesus, broke bread with Him, listened to His teachings, and watched Him ascend into Heaven. This group of Galileans had a personal relationship with Jesus. This relationship enabled them to receive God's Spirit and declare the Gospel. Without a personal relationship with Christ we cannot build a church. It sounds funny and almost silly but it is the truth; think about it, can anyone build a church without Christ as there foundation? If our lives are not devoted to Christ, if we are not submitting to His Lordship, and if God is just close to our lips but far from our hearts how can we build a church. At best we would be considered hypocritical. Would you attend a church if you knew ever member denied Christ Monday thru Saturday but proclaimed Him for 1 ½ hours on Sunday? Probably not, God only builds His Church on a solid foundations because He is a wise builder (Matthew 16:18, Luke 6:46-49). As Christians we have to live a life that lines up with God's Word. We must deny daily ourselves so we can follow Christ (Luke 9:23). We must change the way we think and act all for the name of Christ (Romans 12:1-2). We must live as Christians and not as sinners (Ephesians 5:8). Because this is the kind of lifestyle God has called us to live, He called us to live as His disciples (people who do God's Will [Matthew 28:19-20]). But it is impossible to serve Christ alone, just like one person is not the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:26-27).
This brings us to the second point, we need each other. Christ builds His church in unified places. This does not mean that we will not have disagreements or even arguments. It also doesn't mean we not offend each other from time to time but it does mean we will work to reconcile with one another (Matthew 18:15-20). Look how in Acts 2:1-13 they were together but even look at Acts 2:42-47 how the church enjoyed fellowship with each other. They ensured that no one was in need; they sold their possessions to meet any need that came up, studied the Word together, and prayed together. How did they now someone was in need? Simple they communicated with each other; they showed true concern for one another. This 1st Church understood how important Godly relationship were. They understood that we grow together in the bond of love (Colossians 3:7-14). They studied God's Word together; when we study God's Word together we begin to hold each other accountable. Because we become aware of the truth and are responsible to live that truth out. Accountability helps us grow closer to Christ in our life. When a brother or sister in the Lord holds us accountable it is to our benefit. Because that brother or sister is not sitting in judgment against us, they are standing there to aid us, restore us, and bear the load to help see us through (Galatians 6:1-3). This is why the Word tells us not forsake the fellowship of believers (Hebrews 10:23-26). Because fellowship encourages us to do good and it unties us. Notice how the first church grew in number (Acts 2:47). God can add to a church that is loving towards another, seeking out Godly fellowship, and growing in the Word and Prayer together. Think about it like this, would you rather be a part of a family that has division, constantly bickers, does not spend any time together, and is devoid of love. Or would you rather join a family that cares about one another, spends times together, communicates, and reconcile.
This brings us to the finally point, we build a church by investing in the lives of the community around us. There is no greater love we can show an unbeliever than by sharing the Gospel. Notice how Peter shared the Gospel and three thousand where saved (Acts 2:14-41). He did not promote his awesome speaking skills, give a relative message, or have to compromise his beliefs. He just simply shared the Gospel message of Christ and let God's Spirit do the rest. A lot of times we think we have talk a certain way, have a certain swagger, or even compromise our beliefs to bring someone to Christ. But this is not the case; we build a church by meeting unbelievers where they are and sharing the truth of the Gospel. Jesus tells us all to go out and make disciples of all men (Matthew 28:18-20) by teaching them the truths of God's Word. We do not need gimmicks or compromise to reach someone for Christ; all we need is God's Truth, nothing more and nothing less. We are here to act as ministers of reconciliation to the world so they may come to experience the Love of God. We implore people to turn their hurts towards as their Savior and submit to Him as their Lord ( 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). I love how the scriptures describe Christ in John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" in other words, God became man and lived us." He came among men and shared the Gospel. Here is a question, where did Jesus preach, teach, and do His Miracles? The answer is wherever He was. He fed 5,000 in their home town (Matthew 14:13-21), talked to a woman by a well she frequented (John 4:1-45), and even healed a demon possessed man in a grave yard (Matthew 8:28-34). We are to do the same, we meet people where they are, share truth, and let God do the rest. We build a church by sharing God's truth with our family first and our community second. If we cannot share God's truth with our family, how will we share it with our community? We do not run from our community or hide from them. You can build a church by investing in a community but if you neglect a community you will not build a church.
Personal relationships with Christ grow through fellowship and knowing the love of being in the family of Christ should compel us to bring others in. And in the end a church has been built.
"In His JOY!"
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable.
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