Title: The Church is a Hospital
Contents
The church is a hospital (Ephesians 4:25-32)
Some people can't give up on the church, and they go to different places in search of churches because they think that somewhere there is a church that I love, a church with forgiveness, and an ideal church. But nowhere is the ideal church. It's the same wherever you go. At first, the church members seemed to welcome them, but as time passed, they became indifferent. I thought that there would be no church without problems, but I found out that there are fights going on here and there. So, “Oh! Not here either. I wander again, wondering if there is any good church. However, there are many who have become wandering church pilgrims without ever being able to settle down. It is regrettable that at least one of them has such an appearance, and it is something to reflect deeply on.
Then, is there really no ideal church on this earth? No, which church is the ideal church? That kind of worry led me to research the Ephesians church today. Rather than being an ideal church, the church in Ephesus is the church that has the most potential to become an ideal church.
An ideal church should have a good location. By the way, the church in Ephesus is the center of transportation in Asia Minor. In order to become an ideal church, the cultural level of the region must also be high, and the Ephesus church also satisfies these conditions. It is not only a cultural center, it is also home to the pyramids in Egypt and the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders. And if you want to be an ideal church, it's also important who founded the church. The church in Ephesus was founded by the Apostle Paul. It has many conditions that make it an ideal church. And no matter how successful the foundation is, it is of no use if there is no discipleship training. However, the apostle Paul trained the saints of the Ephesian church for three years.
character! Here we have to think carefully. We think that the ideal church is a place where saints gather, and a place where good and perfect people gather. But Christ's ideal church is where sinners gather. Why are you disappointed when you come to church? It is disappointing because the church expects heaven. But this is not heaven. The ideal church is a hospital, not heaven. I believe that the ideal church is a place where proud people gather, selfish people gather, high-spirited people gather, and people who are addicted to drinking and smoking gather to be healed as people of God.
We need to change the concept of the church. We must realize that the church is a hospital, not a heaven. That is why you should not be surprised when you come to church and meet a selfish person, an arrogant person, a cheeky person, or a worldly person. Isn't it natural for such people to gather in hospitals? The ideal church is a hospital, not heaven. If you have found an ideal church from a human point of view, you should not go to that church. Because of the saints, the ideal image of the church is broken. Because no one is perfect. So, more specifically, what kind of church is the ideal church? In a word, it is a place with a history of treatment. The church is a hospital, not heaven. Therefore, there are things I have to do for others, and there are things I have to do for myself. How I create an atmosphere of healing is what I can do for others, and how I receive treatment is what I do for myself. A hospital is not a place where there are a lot of sick people and there is no treatment. Because the church is a hospital, the history of healing must happen.
First, what are we going to do for others?
Paul is asking us what we can do for others in order for the church to become a hospital. Verse 32. Let's read together. “Be kind to one another, have pity, forgive one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” The first thing that the church needs to become a true hospital where the healing work takes place is a kind heart, compassionate heart, and a forgiving heart. To create a church hospital where all of us can heal, you need to work together to create an atmosphere of forgiveness and acceptance. Only then can healing be done to the church.
There is no one who says that a person who is hospitalized with paralysis on the face and spills a grain of rice while eating is not a bad thing. It is natural to shed grains of rice because you came to the hospital to receive treatment for paralysis. Likewise, when someone comes to church to change their selfish heart, you shouldn't call that person selfish. Rather, it should be tolerated as in a hospital.
A sister had surgery at the hospital. When I went to the hospital, the husband was delighted that his wife had farted. This is because if you fart after surgery, it means that your organs have returned to their function. A place to rejoice that you fart! This is the hospital. In order for the church to become a hospital, we need to praise the way we have changed, not to blame for what hasn't changed yet.
Dear all! The church is a hospital. In order to do that, there must be an atmosphere of healing. A home-like atmosphere should be created in which mistakes can be expected to be tolerated.
Second, what will you do for me?
Dear all, everyone! Would you like to establish our Janghang Eastern Church as a hospital where the history of healing takes place? The idea is to create an atmosphere in the hospital where you can show your pain deeply without fear of getting hurt. So, let's make a church where both you and I are healed by God's love and transformed by God's power. I invite all of you as co-workers in this precious work. May the Spirit of Christ's infinite love and forgiveness be with you and me, in the name of the Lord.