What is Church?
What is church? How would you answer this question…what adjectives or verbs would you use to describe it? Our current state is making us rethink a lot of things that we might have taken for granted. I am thinking about the word church and here are some of my thoughts about church based on scriptures from Romans 12:4-14
Our current state is making us rethink a lot of things that we might have taken for granted. I am thinking about the word church and here are some of my thoughts about church based on scriptures from Romans 12:4-14
Paul is writing to the church at Rome, a church that was diverse - a church that had Greeks and Romans and Jews. A church, where gentiles and Jews breaking bread together. A church that was trying to figure out what it means to the church in a culture that is anything but Christian. A church that had rich people and poor and those in the middle. A church that was full of accents - imagine a Jew who grew up in Jerusalem trying to speak Greek or Latin. Wonder what that guy’s accent would have sounded like :)…
A church that has divided loyalties if you will - a church that is filled with Eagles fans and has a pastor who loves the Steelers (6 rings just saying), or a church a member who is welcomed and loved despite being a Cowboy fan. Can we make room for a Giants fan? I guess I am pushing it a little too much now.
We are a church that celebrates diversity of opinion and thought - a church that continues to come together each week - doing the most counter cultural thing - showing up to worship on Sunday morning when the rest of the world chooses to do other things. This week, I invite you to contact us, go our Facebook page, or www.mthope.org to view our worship service. 8:30 AM Traditional and 9:50 AM Contemporary service.
So What is Church? –
First, church is the body of Christ:
Verse 4 – 5 “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
We are one body - each one of us here belongs to that body. You have a place of value and worth in here at Mt. Hope.When you are going through a difficult time, please be sure to call another church friend, life is too difficult don’t journey alone. We are one body, when one part hurts, the rest of the body hurts. We are called to be a congregation that continues to care for each other just like we care for each part of the body.
Church is….everyone is called to serve –
Verse 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Each and everyone is gifted – you have a pulse, you have a gift! Where are you serving? The church is a place where you can serve.
Church is a Place of Love
Verse 9-12 - 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Church is a Place of Love and Fellowship
No room for hate, no room for division, no room of being divisive. Let’s continue to build each other and not sow seeds of distrust and division.
Despite the challenges, we are facing I think we can do these things…I believe on March 20,2020 we can be the church.
Join us in worship online Sunday March 22 at 8:30 AM for Traditional Service. 9:50 AM Contemporary Service. Let us continue to be the church during these challenging and changing times.
Blessings,
Pastor Johnson Dodla
Lead Pastor Mt. Hope UMC