The Church
The Church
When the Word of God talks about the church, He is not talking about a social club that meets every week and collects dues, as the church we know. The church we know is scattered, and sparse in the communities of the ungodly. Members of the church suffer alone, get prayed for on Sunday, and then go back to their miserable existence. It’s because the Word of God is not being taught, and replaced with the commandments of men.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Jer 10:21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Jer 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Remember that this is all being said in love.
The church is a close-knit family that takes care of her own. Just as in the family that we are familiar with (Mom, Dad, kids), if one of the kids win the lottery, then the whole family benefits, and if one of the kids gets into trouble, then the whole family is burdened. The pastor (the head elder), who is not a novice, and receives double honor, administrates the flock.
The church is not an exclusive community of die-hard, self-righteous zealots who love God only, and fasting is the only life they know. It’s only iniquity. No one can live in their midst. It will only scatter.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Hey Brother, can I use the boat this weekend? Of course, you can. Why wouldn‘t you? Because of insurance? Liability? Greed? No, we live in a community of the love of Yehoshua.
This is what it means to give all, and lay it down at the apostles feet. None in the church will lack, from the impaired to the most gifted.
Look at how this would work out in this country:
A body of believers, get together and purchase land, build houses, apartments, recreation area, and a common hall, on it. [Do y’all want horses, motorcycles, the beach, mountains, downtown, what?] The body of believers live on the property. Nobody pays rent, but gives all. The costs of the land, houses, and utilities are shared by all. Nobody has a secret bank account. They all have cars, money, and free time (remember that love shall cover the multitude of sins (I Peter 4:8)).
A new believer who is a heart surgeon, or lottery winner comes to live in the church. With a heart of Love, the wealth is shared, and all benefit.
A new believer who is poor, and unable to work comes to live in the church, and he is cared for; whatever talent he has, is appreciated and not wasted. All who can work contribute to the well-being of the church. Some work at a job for compensation, others work on the property. All operate in AGAPE.
1Co 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourableG820, upon these we bestow more abundant honourG5092(money paid); and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
1Co 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honourG5092(money paid) to that part which lacked:
1Co 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
1Co 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honouredG1392, all the members rejoice with it.
Honour G5092 τιμηì timē tee-may' From G5099; a value, that is, money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself: - honour, precious, price, some.
We give money to the poor in the church, so that everyone is cared for. Look at this:
Act 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Act 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Study it carefully and prayerfully. Are the two passages talking about the same thing? Is there LOVE in the church, or is it different in America?
1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of doubleG1362 honourG5092(money paid), especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
What does “double” mean?
1Pe 4:7 But the endG5056 of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent charityG26 among yourselves: for charityG26 shall cover the multitude of sins.
1Pe 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
End G5056 τεìλος telos el'-os From a primary word τεìλλω tellō (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely], result [immediate, ultimate or prophetic], purpose); specifically an impost or levy (as paid): - + continual, custom, end (-ing), finally, uttermost. Compare G5411.
The “end” is not the end of the world, but the goal of all things.
Look at the study on LOVE.
Jas 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Jas 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
Jas 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Jas 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Jas 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Jas 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
How does Rom 12 sound in the context of an organized community of believers?
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Rom 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Rom 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Rom 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rom 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
How do ALL of the scriptures sound in the context of liberty in Christ and the community of believers?
The elders in the community provide godly guidance, and not according to their own agenda.
Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
This could go on, and on . . .
I seek the Glory of Yahova, and the son of God, Yahoshua HaMashiach.
In His Love,
Wesley Speck, nobody but His servant.
