DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: JUNE 14 REVIEWING THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT (3) SCRIPTURE: 1 Tim. 3: 15; John 17: 20 – 22
The nature, characteristics and attributes of the church Jesus built, if to be reproduced, can full volumes. Writing devotional on this discussion can only be highly paraphrased. The second series of this devotional mentioned few qualities of the Jesus’ built Church. Jesus Christ as mentioned in the second series formed the foundation on which His Church stands upon. The foundation is in all He taught, preached and the good works done. His Apostles build on the foundation too (Eph. 2: 20). The Church Jesus built is “…The Church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of truth” (1 Tim. 3: 15 NIV). Any church that truth is not in its teachings, messages and doctrine cannot be that Church Jesus Built.
This devotional subscribes to the church that cares for people, be it her members or not, as the Church Jesus Built. Jesus demonstrated His care-mindedness when He fed thousands of people (Mark 6: 30 – 44; Matthew 15: 29 – 39); when He paid off tax for His Apostles and the Disciples (Matthew 1i: 24 – 27). Jesus saved the young man marrying in Cana of Galilee from shame. Even though it was not His time to work miracles publicly, He turned water into best wine to help him out of disgrace (John 2: 7 – 10). Do we see churches full of concerns for the poor, needy and the less privileged these days? Do we have churches caring both for the sinners and the righteous as well as none members of the churches today? Big question! Jesus’ Disciples and the Apostles carried on with the caring ministries after Him. Both Jesus and His Disciples were people-centered instead of self-centered Church Leaders. Can we see wealthy and rich Christians freely donating lands and properties to help the less privileged today? Where is the Church built and left for the Apostles and the early Christians that the Bible says no one is lacking in anything (Acts 4: 34 – 35)?
One major qualities of Jesus’ Built Church is unity amongst all the members. They moved together, fellowshipped together, breaking bread and doing things in common. Jesus’ taught unity and even prayed for it before His crucifixion (John 17: 20 – 22). _The Christians of the Acts of the Apostles existed in unity in meetings, reading and studying scriptures without differences of understanding (Acts 2: 41, 46; 4: 32)._ What do we have these days? We have diverse doctrines full of condemning one another. We tell the world that only the church under us has the true words of God. Besides, we have deadly divisions amongst denominations. We take one another to court even plot kidnapping and assassinations against fellow Christians. Where is the Church Jesus Built? Here stands a question still yearning for answers!!!
PRAYER:
FATHER GOD, the nature of your Son’s built Church is still fresh in your mind. Kindly, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, return us to that Church, in Jesus name.
POSITIVE DECLARATION:
Oh Lord my Father, I offer myself today to be Apostle of restoring the bodies of Christ back to the Church Jesus Built.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch