How To "Have Church"

Religion is not Salvation. A Building is not a Church.

You have heard it Preached here that Religion is not Salvation. You have heard it said, a Building is not a Church. That God desires for a personal, one on one relationship, with you. We just discussed that you already HAVE all the answers you will ever ask, right there in the Book, in your hands. So is there a need to actually go to Church? What is a Church? Is it important?

The word "Church" as written in the New Testament comes from the Greek term "ekklesia." "Ekklesia" is formed from two Greek words meaning "an assembly" and or "called out ones." The word Church is another way of saying, "Family of God." "Children of God." "Adopted ones." "Anointed ones." A Church is the People. Not the Brick and Mortar building with a steeple and stained glass windows. But simply, the people.

Ephesians 1:

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

"And gave him" Who is Him? Jesus. "To be the head over all things to the church," What is "The Church?" "Which is his body." Simply put, the Church is a group of believers, but more importantly, Saved Ones, or, Those God has called out. Those that He sent the Holy Spirit to for Adoption, and those that have accepted the Adoption and have become Children of God.

Now many interpret Jesus's Statement to Peter "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." {Matthew 16:18) as Jesus appointing Peter as the First Pope. We know this not to be true as Peter brought the message of the Resurrection to the Jews, and it was Paul, of whom Jesus commissioned to be the one to bring the message of the Resurrection to the Gentiles. So what was Jesus really talking about? Here is the exchange...

Matthew 16:

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

What did Peter, declare? "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said, "thou art Peter." However, read the next very carefully. Jesus said "and upon this rock." Was Jesus calling Peter the Rock? Or was Jesus calling Peter's deceleration that Jesus is the Christ, and the only way to Salvation? Notice Jesus did NOT say, Peter, you are THE Rock I will build my Church on. He said "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." So what is the Rock? The Only way to Salvation. Jesus, the Resurrection. The Adoption. The deceleration that Jesus IS Lord. Just like Peter, ANYONE who shall confess, Jesus is Lord, is part of the Church.

You see, without that corner stone. Without that foundation. All you have is Man-Made Traditions. You cannot be adopted into the Family of God, without first believing in the Rock. The Way, The Truth, and then you get The Life.

Jesus also told us "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." {Matthew 18:20}So if we take this as fact, then we must understand that two or more are more powerful and are more Holy, than just one.

In,,,,,

Hebrews 10:

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

In simple terms, we are to come together as a family. We are to encourage each other. Comfort each other. Strengthen each other. We are to morn together. Laugh together. Celebrate together. And yes, even to keep each other in check. There is a real reason for discipline in our Church. It is for our own good. To help keep each other from falling. The area's you may be strong in, I may be weak. The areas you are weak, I may be strong. We are to gather together to lift each other up.

In,,,,

Colossians 3:

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

You are the Church. You are the Body. When you come together, you are to CELEBRATE The Resurrection and The Life. CELEBRATE God. It is not suppose to be a choir. It is not meant to be something you are forced to do. God couldn't care less about your following of Man-Made Traditions.

If you are attending a Church that seems to you to be run more as a corporation than and celebration, then I pretty much just have one word for ya. Run. Never go back there. If your Pastor is not teaching you the Word of God, run. If your Pastor is more interested in what you are putting in the offering, and if you are eating meat on Fridays, than he is about the condition of your sole? RUN.

We are to come together and learn the Truth according to God. Not Man. We are to "Provoke one another unto love", and "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." If your "Church" is not doing this, you are in the wrong place.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}