Jesus Led Church

 

    You may not like going to church.  You may have a problem with churchy people.  That does not change the fact that if you are a true Christian, then you are part of Jesus' church.  That means that you need to surround yourself with other true believers to become strong and serve Jesus as he commanded.

    The church entails all believers from all over the world throughout time.  It is impossible to go to church with everyone throughout the world alive, let alone throughout history.  What you need to do is find one in your community in which your serve that the pastor teaches the entire Bible and not just the feel good part.  You also need to know the Bible to know that your pastor doesn't manipulate God's Word to suite what they want to say.

    A Jesus led church looks at how Jesus lived his life and the commands that he stated, then they try to follow like his apostles.  The church today is where believers come together to assemble.  It is fine for unbelievers to come and learn, but they have no role in the church until they become believers and take the time to learn Jesus' way of doing things.

    Jesus' church is unified through his sacrifice and faith.  It is set apart to live holy.  It is universal which means it does not belong to one nation or people group.  It is apostolic which means that it began with Jesus' apostles, the people who knew him best and had all the inside knowledge.  They outlined the church that the church should be living today.  You have it much easier because they took the time to build it from scratch and record what they did. You have the outline. 

    Jesus is the head of the church.  No man can fill that position.  When you become a Christian you enter a covenant installed by Jesus that gives you access to God.  In that covenant you are agreeing to all Jesus did and that he is the head of the church which consist of you, but is not only you.  You agree to work together to continue his work in the world.  You are agreeing to go into the world declaring the truth and offering to make disciples ( you can't force or manipulate anyone to follow Jesus).  In return you are adopted into God's family.  

    Following Jesus means that you submit to his authority out of love.  You rely on him for control in your life, provision, and the promises to be fulfilled.  You trust him with your best interest.  Your relationship with him is the most important relationship you have.  If you honor it, then your other relationships are healthier or fade away.  

    Titles do not matter to Jesus, but position and heart does.  Position yourself as a willing servant with a loving heart and you will be blessed.  You are a piece of the church.  You are needed, but it is not all about you.  You are a part of the church to serve, encourage, challenge, and be sanctified in truth.  You are a steward of God's grace and led by the Holy Spirit toward obedience.  You have a responsibility to the church, but it is always your choice to fulfill it or deny it.

Matthew 16:17-20, Acts 20:28-31, Ephesians 1:19-23, 5:22-23, & Colossians 1:15-20