Embracing Our Divine Role in the Church Community

Devotional

Day 1: The Church as a Divine Blueprint

The church is not a mere human construct but a divine blueprint designed to manifest God's wisdom and glory. It is a sacred space where believers come together to form a holy temple, a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. This relationship is central to our faith journey and should not be taken for granted. The church is a living, breathing community of believers who are called to be the "ecclesia"—a gathering that embodies and spreads the culture of God's kingdom. As we read from Romans 12, we are reminded that each of us is a unique member of the body of Christ, endowed with different gifts meant to serve and uplift one another. [41:48]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the church as a living temple, using your unique gifts to manifest God's presence?

Day 2: Embodying the Ecclesia

As the ecclesia, we are called to implement God's kingdom on earth, much like the ancient Greek and Roman assemblies. Our task is to embody and spread the culture of God's kingdom, living out His commandments and love in our daily lives. This role is not confined to the church walls but extends to every aspect of our lives. We are tasked with being examples of God's love and wisdom, ensuring that the church is a place where God's presence dwells. [51:32]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively embody the culture of God's kingdom in your workplace or community today?

Day 3: The Benefits of Church Participation

Active involvement in church life offers numerous benefits, including reduced depression, longer life expectancy, and stronger family bonds. These advantages highlight the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the church community. Being part of the church offers tangible benefits that go beyond spiritual growth, impacting our mental and physical well-being. This underscores the importance of maintaining a vibrant relationship with the church community. [37:47]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How can you prioritize and deepen your involvement in your church community this week to experience its full benefits?

Day 4: Using Our Gifts for God's Glory

Each of us is endowed with unique gifts meant to serve the body of Christ. Whether through teaching, serving, or leading, we are called to use these gifts to glorify God and build His kingdom. We are reminded that we are not here for ourselves but to glorify God and serve His purposes. Let us not be like the ancient olive tree that bears no fruit; instead, may we strive to be a church that actively lives out God's word and transforms the world around us. [54:41]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: What specific gift has God given you, and how can you use it this week to serve and uplift others in your church community?

Day 5: Bearing Fruit for the Kingdom

The church is not just a building but a community of believers called to bear fruit for God's kingdom. We must strive to be a church that actively lives out God's word, transforming our culture into one that reflects His love and wisdom. As we reflect on our role within the church, we are reminded that we are called to use our God-given gifts to make a difference, to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities. [01:03:00]

John 15:5, 8 (ESV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing... By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can bear fruit for God's kingdom in your community this week, and how will you take action on it?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of our relationship with the church, a relationship that is often overlooked amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Rooted in the series "Rooted in Love," we delved into the essence of being part of the church community, emphasizing that the church is not a human invention but God's divine design. As we read from Romans 12, we are reminded that each of us is a unique member of the body of Christ, endowed with different gifts meant to serve and uplift one another.

The church, as God's creation, is a place where His wisdom and glory are manifested. It is not merely a building but a living, breathing community of believers who are called to be the "ecclesia"—a gathering that embodies and spreads the culture of God's kingdom. This concept of ecclesia, borrowed from ancient Greek and Roman governance, signifies our role in implementing God's laws and cultivating His culture in the world. We are tasked with being examples of God's love and wisdom, not just within the church walls but in every aspect of our lives.

Moreover, being part of the church offers tangible benefits, as studies have shown a significant reduction in depression, longer life expectancy, and stronger family bonds among those who actively participate in church life. These advantages underscore the importance of maintaining a vibrant relationship with the church community.

As we reflect on our role within the church, we are reminded that we are not here for ourselves but to glorify God and serve His purposes. We are called to use our God-given gifts to make a difference, to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities, and to ensure that the church is a place where God's presence dwells. Let us not be like the ancient olive tree that bears no fruit; instead, may we strive to be a church that actively lives out God's word and transforms the world around us.

Key Takeaways

1. The Church as God's Design: The church is not a human invention but a divine creation meant to manifest God's wisdom and glory. It is a sacred space where believers come together to form a holy temple, a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. This relationship is not to be taken for granted, as it is central to our faith journey. [41:48]
2. The Role of the Ecclesia: As the ecclesia, we are called to implement God's kingdom on earth, much like the ancient Greek and Roman assemblies. Our task is to embody and spread the culture of God's kingdom, living out His commandments and love in our daily lives. [51:32]
3. Benefits of Church Participation: Active involvement in church life offers numerous benefits, including reduced depression, longer life expectancy, and stronger family bonds. These advantages highlight the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the church community. [37:47]
4. Using Our Gifts for God's Glory: Each of us is endowed with unique gifts meant to serve the body of Christ. Whether through teaching, serving, or leading, we are called to use these gifts to glorify God and build His kingdom. [54:41]
5. Bearing Fruit for the Kingdom: The church is not just a building but a community of believers called to bear fruit for God's kingdom. We must strive to be a church that actively lives out God's word, transforming our culture into one that reflects His love and wisdom. [01:03:00]
** [63:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:47] - Benefits of Church Participation
[41:48] - The Church as God's Design
[51:32] - The Role of the Ecclesia
[54:41] - Using Our Gifts for God's Glory
[63:00] - Bearing Fruit for the Kingdom

Sermon Clips

"Being in a relationship with the church has its advantages. I read an article in Christianity Today a few years ago and just want to highlight this was done in 2021. It was actually about 10 years worth of work with thousands of people and here is what the advantages of being active regularly in a church are." [00:37:56] (28 seconds)

"Friends, relationships with church is so important. And that's what God wants us to reflect on today. God wants us to examine what it means to be in relationship as a church, and so let's dive into God's Word. The first thing I want to say about relationship with church is the church is God's design." [00:41:39] (22 seconds)

"God designed the church. It's His design. Now, through our sin, we've got hundreds of different, thousands of different denominations, but to back this up, I'm going to go over two scriptures. One is Ephesians chapter 2, verses 19 to 22. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people." [00:41:50] (26 seconds)

"As we come to faith in Jesus Christ, we become connected with one another as members of the household of God, brothers and sisters of the faith. You know, you can't choose your brothers and sisters. So turn left and right. Hey, hey, they're here, right? And so members of the household of God built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets." [00:42:41] (24 seconds)

"In Him, the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord, right? And so the church, Asbury Church, a church that you see going down the road. Anywhere that communities are gathered in Jesus' name, form a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him, you too are being built together to become a dwelling." [00:43:47] (25 seconds)

"This is a place where God dwells. The Holy Spirit dwells. May we not take the relationship with church for granted because it is holy unto God. It is sacred to God. It's His design because it's the place where He manifests Himself, right? Paul continues to teach about the church as he teaches this community, this church in Ephesus about what it means to be Christian." [00:44:20] (29 seconds)

"His intent was now that through the church, and he uses the term church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. So I want to pause there. Through the church, through Asbury, through this members of the household of god right uh god manifests his wisdom he is glorified he imparts knowledge." [00:45:07] (31 seconds)

"Friends, we need a relationship with church, a relationship with each other because this is God's design for us to be here not for ourselves, but to be here to be equipped, to be strengthened, to be encouraged, to help support and care when we're going through hard times, and then to go out and do it in other places in our neighborhoods, with our families, in our communities." [00:55:41] (25 seconds)

"God calls all of us into relationship with Him, members of the household, His household, to be the ecclesia. We all have these gifts that are God-given, manifest presence of the Holy Spirit working in and through us. Gifts that are prophesying, speaking a word of God for the people today, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, and generosity, leading, showing mercy, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing." [00:56:27] (35 seconds)

"Friends, the church is God's design it's not ours we exist for him we're in relationship because of him uh the church is to display his glory to display his manifold wisdom and witness through all the world uh we're called to be the ecclesia uh to be that that goes and and changes the culture transforms the culture." [00:57:01] (29 seconds)

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