What if God built a church?

This is a post I made at A Community Chaplain

This past weekend our little town of Louisburg, Kansas had the annual auto and bike shows.

As I walked around looking at the old trucks, cars and then motor cycles I wondered what would Jesus be doing on this beautiful Sunday. We had heard a sermon earlier in the day by Rick Olmstead, lead pastor of the Vineyard in Fort Collins, Colorado titled, "What if God built a church? The sermon was centered around Jesus speaking to the disciples at Caesarea Philippi, which was a place Jews did not go to because of  its association with ancient Syrian Baal worship and a cave that was known as the "Gate to Hell".

Matthew 16: 13 When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." 15 He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 

 17-18 Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

First, we need to know that "If God Built a Church" it would not be subject to death and decay.

Second, it would be a Biblical church. It would be based on and doing the meat (Word of God) of in the streets. 

Third, It would be a Loving church. It would be a church that knew that each of us need all of the rest of the church.

Forth, It would be a Worshipping church. It would be a church that had its worship focused on God not on itself. Everything it did concerning worship, which is found in living, would bring glory to God.

Fifth, It would be Devoted to Prayer.

Sixth, It would be a church Engaged a Naturally Supernatural way. 

Seventh, It would be a generous church. 

It would be a church that uses each of the above to impact those outside. The church that God wants begins with the lives of each person that makes up the church.

I believe if Jesus was walking the streets of Louisburg this past Sunday He would have skipped most services in our community and headed down to the American Legion park to mingle with the bikers and then walked the 7 blocks to downtown to look at the old cars and trucks. He would have taken time to talk to the person who looked the most out of place or lonely. He would have talked to the biker who was struggling with drug or alcohol abuse. He would have shared the hope of life tha tis found in Him. He would have takent he time to touched the hurting, the addicited, the rejected and the sick. 

As I walked our streets that day with my wife, my daughter and my grandkids I wondered why the churches of Louisburg were not there doing what Jesus did.

I long for and believe that Jesus will raise up a church that is biblically founded, that loves everyone within and without, that worships Him through their lives, that is devoted to praying for everyone in our community, that is engaged in the supernatural in a naturally supernatural way, that is generous with its time, gifts and money. I believe Jesus is going to raise up a church that makes a long lasting positive impact in the area around Louisburg, KS.

1 Peter 2: 4-5 Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. 

Acts 2: 42-47 That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.  Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

The question for you and me is: "Are we made of the right stuff and are we being the church that does what Jesus did?"