This is a conclusion to a 3 part series. I hope it has been refreshing to look at God’s design for the family and see the simplicity of our role in government. But I believe God has a third building block to be discussed, the Church. A good reminder I hear often is “the Church is not the building, it is the people.” Cliché I know, but for it is a much-needed reminder.
What is the Church?
The Church is not the place in which we worship on Sunday or meet for fellowship on Wednesday. The real reason I often forget this is because we all say things like “let’s go to church;” “how was church;” and “I am thankful for my church.” You see how easy it is to think of Church as a building? It is not incorrect, theologically or practically, to use the word church in both scenarios, but it is important to make the distinction that the church building is a central place of fellowship and the body of believers. (Acts 2:38, 42).
The Church, being made up of people, means that wherever one of those people is, there is the Church. The Church is everywhere there is a believer. This includes any government official, professional athlete, school teacher, engineer, pastor, or layperson who has repented from their sins, professed their faith in Jesus Christ, and is a part of the body of Christ. The next question is: What roles do we fill in the Church?
Our Roles as the Church
One of the most important roles of the church is to gather. This form of fellowship mostly takes place in the church building but can occur anywhere there is a group of believers intentionally coming together to worship God and fellowship together.
It is illustrated in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
While we are gathered, our motivation is to grow in Christ. We do this in three primary ways: worship, pray, and the study of God’s Word.
Several pieces of Scripture speak to this, but three make the point very well. John 4:23 says, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” Acts 2:42 furthers the idea saying, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Lastly, 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
Another important role the church must fulfill is serving. Serving is obedience and worship in action. It exemplifies the spiritual growth and discipline taking place in our hearts and minds. We are compelled by our brokenness and God’s amazing grace to serve others. In view of God’s mercy, we offer ourselves to be His servants.
Jesus explained this in Matthew 25:34-40, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Beyond the roles mentioned previously, the church is ultimately called to go. When weekly, organized times of fellowship end, we are called to go into the entire world as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. The word “go” in Matthew 28:16-20 has far less to do with distance and much more to do with our lifestyle. Even Jesus never went more than 200 miles from his hometown. As we are going, we are making disciples and influencing those whom God has placed in our path.
For context, notice how and why Jesus tells us to go in Matthew 28:16-20, “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The family, government, and Church each have unique roles to play. The way God has instructed and designed them helps to prevent chaos and unnecessary pain and tension. The three institutions complement each other perfectly. They provide joy, structure, and fellowship. If you have been involved in a broken family, if you are not influencing the government at any level, or you are not actively filling a role in a church, I hope you see God’s design for you in these areas.
