Title: The Church We Aim for ①
Contents
The church we are aiming for ① (Colossians 2:1~5)
There are various churches on this earth. Of course, there is a single church with Christ as its head, but it exists in various forms. Paul instructs us in the text what kind of church the church should be. The church Paul teaches is the church God wants. Paul is interested not only in the members of the church where he ministers, but also in the members of the church he has never met. This is the heart of Heavenly Father. Because Paul loved the church and wrote it with a heart to help, these words are useful to us beyond the times. Our church wants to share grace by examining what kind of church we are aiming for based on the words shown in today's text.
I. It is a community that gives comfort to each other (2)
We hope that our church will be a church where the clergy catches and comforts those who are shaken by false teachings, and also a church that comforts each other. If we become a church that gives hope and courage to those who come to our church and supplies them with new strength, it will become a necessary church in this age. What is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of the church? If you think that it is not a building with a pointed bell tower, but a place where you can be comforted if you go there, you can say that it is a church that properly fulfills its mission as a church.
Humans are social beings who live in harmony with each other. When alone and isolated, it is easy to be tempted, easy to discourage, and easy to shake. Therefore, what we need is a community of faith. God knows our weakness and has given us a community of faith. He gave members of faith and spiritual families because he alone had no choice but to lose in the spiritual battle. The more difficult times are, the more we need to find a community of faith. If you are isolated by yourself, you will become the food of Satan. Problems are solved when we are attached to the Lord's community in any circumstance. (John 15:4,5) I hope that our church will be a community that gives comfort and benefits to others.
Saints! How can our church be a church that provides comfort and benefits to those who come to visit us? See Philippians 2:2-4. We must take care of our own affairs and take care of the affairs of others. Mature saints do not think only of themselves. Always have the heart of the Lord and take care of others with humility. Such a person is a wonderful co-worker of the Lord. In order for our church to become a community that provides comfort and benefit, there should be more people who take on the role of spiritual fathers who have matured in faith.
Ⅱ. It is a community united in love (2 copies)
The church is a community made up of the love of Jesus Christ. If the church is full of the Lord's love even without a magnificent building or people with financial resources, then that church is the community God wants. It is a community that pleases God. It is a community that God values. If there is an eternal mark of the church that transcends time, it is 'love'. Love for God and love for neighbor are the unchanging marks of the church. Christianity is said to be the religion of love. Even unbelievers say so. I hope that those who are abandoned and marginalized in the world will be perfected by the love of the Lord and our church will discover their mission. I sincerely hope that we will become a community that speaks the same language, has the same heart, has the same will, and becomes one through love. (2 John 1:3 and 1 Corinthians 1:10)
continue next week