Open it up and see all the people

Do you ever sit in your church building and marvel over the beautiful stained glass or lovely decorations? Do you ever invite people to come to your church and tell them about the wonderful preacher or the powerful classes? So often people confuse the building and the preacher and the programs with the real meaning of the church. The church is not a building. It's not the programs. It's not the preacher. The church is the people. It's the body of believers joined together for Christ. (1 Cor. 3:16) That makes the church a living building. But all too often people use this idea as an excuse to not meet together on the Lord's day in a building. I like to think of the Lord's church as a beautiful tapestry woven together by the very hands of God. He has created a masterpiece. When the church is following the will of God, it is a work of art like no other. All of the layers placed together for a reason. The church has many priorities. They need to spread the gospel, first and foremost. God has instructed us to go out to all nations, preaching, teaching and baptizing. The plan is clear. The instructions are written for us. The church is a refuge amidst all the chaos in the world. As long as believers are united and meeting together, there will always be places for people to go to find that hope that they seek. The church is also a source of encouragement. Who else will encourage you to stay strong in your walk with the Lord while the world is telling you to abandon it?

There are so many reasons why the church exists. It's more than just a building. It's more than choirs and kids programs and potlucks. It's a group of people that have decided to follow Jesus and won't turn back no matter what.