Essential Church -Part 2 -When will the building be done?

Secondly, we want to know if the building of the Church will ever be completed?

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Here we have the Great Commission. Jesus Christ gives the marching orders to the church. He tells them to go, and as they go they are to shared the gospel, baptize, and teach believers to observe the commands of Christ. Jesus promises his presence with the church unto the end of the world. I believe this indicated to us when Christ building project will be over. The event that will end the “Church Age” is the Rapture.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. The Rapture the day of presentation that is mentioned in the following verse: Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. The individual believer is promised in that Christ will continue to work in his life, to make him more like Christ (sanctification), until the very same day. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Paul explains to the Ephesians the work of the Church is to be done until we become like Christ, which will only happen in eternity. Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 1John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Until Christ returns, or until I go to heaven, the Bible commands my participation in the building of local New Testament churches on this planet. This is not drudgery. This is a privilege. 1 Corinthians 3:9a For we are labourers together with God…

You see, God doesn’t need our help, but he gives us the privilege to work with him. Picture a 7-year old walking into the garage when his dad is changing the oil. Dad asks, “Would you like to help?” The boys replies, “Sure.” Here is the question, is the boy going to truly be a help, or will he more than likely slow dad down. He is going to slow him down, but that is okay. Dad doesn’t mine. He wants to involve his son and help him to learn. It is the child’s privilege to help his dad with the car. So it is our privilege to help our heavenly Father with the building of the local church. Church is essential if you want to work where God is working. One day the work will be over and we will no longer be able to help. I remember countless times running from my dad when there was work to do. Now that I am gone from my father’s house, I would love the opportunity to help him do anything I could, mow the lawn, change the oil, rake the leaves. I miss the opportunities to help him. As Christians, we will miss the opportunities to serve God through the local church, but once in heaven there will be no more opportunities to serve God in the Church.