Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Church

CHURCH

Fourth of four in Tent of Meeting devotion Series

John 12:24-26

Verse 26: [Jesus replied] “Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.”

This four devotion series shows where people have met, and still meet with God. But way more than structures, church represents:

A. Community. Church is where people live out their faith, worship, and learn godly values.

B. The church is also the entire world of believers in Christ. We represent Christ’s Church—His bride—so named in Revelation 19:7, 22:17. 2 Corinthians 5:20 calls believers Christ’s ambassadors, 2 Timothy 2:3 names believers Christ’s soldiers, and we’re called saints in Ephesians 2:19. Christians need one another. We support and encourage each other, serving the One Who protects and sustains us through life’s difficulties. The highest honor that anyone can receive is to be called servant of the Most High God!

Those who die to self (put others’ needs ahead of their own), may not be highly regarded by the world’s standards. But they are #1 in God’s kingdom. Serving God is not limited to what happens within church buildings. While Pastors, Priests, or Rabbis lead their congregations in worship and prayer, choirs sing and lead others in praise.  Cooks and servers feed people. House-keepers, broom sweepers, and file clerks also serve the Most High God.

Everyone who gives 100% effort to everyday tasks—impacts others around them—and serves the Living God. Serving Jesus isn’t about WHAT task we do, but rather HOW we accomplish assigned tasks. Following and serving Jesus is all about an attitude of humility, motivated by reaching out to others with the love of God.

What else about church?

Take Home Nugget

C. God’s eternal light never goes out, never even dims. The Israelites pressed clear oil from olives to keep lamps burning in the Tent of Meeting 24/7 (Exodus 27:20-21). Everywhere throughout the world, the eternal flame is universally recognized as a symbol. It honors a person, or group of people connected to some event. It represents God’s eternal presence.

Eternal flames can be found at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite in the U.S.A.  In Israel, an eternal flame burns at Yad Vashem, the official memorial to Jewish Holocaust victims.

The Olympic Games host the eternal flame, which circulates to countries around the world. 

In synagogues, the Temple menorah’s continuously burning lamp is never out. A sanctuary lamp is found in Christian churches, representing either the Blessed Sacrament, or God’s presence. The eternal light is believers' call to be God’s light in the world, by acts of kindness, compassion, and charity.

J.D. Griffith

Lord, grant me a heart of compassion

So burdened for others’ needs

That I will show Your kindness

In attitudes, words, and deeds.

Fitzhugh


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