The Church allows for genuine friendships, edifying relationships, and voluntary accountability.
Romans 16:1-6 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
In the close of Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome, Paul request the help is given to Phebe a faithful sister in the family of God. He also wishes them to greet Priscilla, Aquila, the church in their house, Epaenetus, and Mary. All of these people had an impact on the life of the Apostle Paul as they ministered together in a local church at some point. Together they served the Lord through good times and bad. I imagine that there were days when one of them felt like quitting, and that was the day when the other didn’t. They encouraged and edified one another to keep being faithful in the Christian life.
One of the reasons church is essential is because God has given us a ministry of edification to every believer in the local church. The fulfilling of the great commission was not intended to be a solo flight. We need other believers, and they need us. I know that with people come problems, but where people are gathered together in the name of Christ more can be accomplished for God’s glory. Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. You see, it might be cleaner just to keep your “faith” private and not involve a community of local believers, but you cannot possibly accomplish all God requires for the local church. It is a body made up of many members. We must not be so proud as to think we can make it on our own. Having fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that you can meet together to encourage, minster together in evangelism is one of life greatest blessings. There is a special bond in Christ that brings a hodge-podge of people together and makes them closer than family in many ways. We also have a responsibility before God to provoke each other.
Hebrews was written to a group of converted Jews who were considering defecting out of Christianity. It was difficult, unpopular, and they had almost had enough. The writer of Hebrews didn’t encourage an inward focus, but an outward focus of drawing closer to God and meeting together as a church to encourage one another through the difficulty. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Part of our mindset as Christians must be set on helping others. Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. When we neglect the local church, we forfeit our opportunity to influence and be influenced by the people of God. In order to fulfill the scripture, we must provoke (prod/encourage) each other in our assembly to a greater love for God and good works for God.
Lifting weights, working-out, running, diet, exercise of any kind is always easier when you have someone to help. Walking through the dark is easier when someone is holding your hand. A difficult task or chore doesn’t seem as bad when someone else is their working with you. I have been door knocking by myself and it is not as easy as when I have a partner to go with me. When we have others to help bear the burdens of life and minister along side the work of the Lord is easier and more effective. Why? Because we are working according to God’s design. We are working through the Essential Church.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Romans 16:1-6 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
In the close of Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome, Paul request the help is given to Phebe a faithful sister in the family of God. He also wishes them to greet Priscilla, Aquila, the church in their house, Epaenetus, and Mary. All of these people had an impact on the life of the Apostle Paul as they ministered together in a local church at some point. Together they served the Lord through good times and bad. I imagine that there were days when one of them felt like quitting, and that was the day when the other didn’t. They encouraged and edified one another to keep being faithful in the Christian life.
One of the reasons church is essential is because God has given us a ministry of edification to every believer in the local church. The fulfilling of the great commission was not intended to be a solo flight. We need other believers, and they need us. I know that with people come problems, but where people are gathered together in the name of Christ more can be accomplished for God’s glory. Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. You see, it might be cleaner just to keep your “faith” private and not involve a community of local believers, but you cannot possibly accomplish all God requires for the local church. It is a body made up of many members. We must not be so proud as to think we can make it on our own. Having fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that you can meet together to encourage, minster together in evangelism is one of life greatest blessings. There is a special bond in Christ that brings a hodge-podge of people together and makes them closer than family in many ways. We also have a responsibility before God to provoke each other.
Hebrews was written to a group of converted Jews who were considering defecting out of Christianity. It was difficult, unpopular, and they had almost had enough. The writer of Hebrews didn’t encourage an inward focus, but an outward focus of drawing closer to God and meeting together as a church to encourage one another through the difficulty. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Part of our mindset as Christians must be set on helping others. Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. When we neglect the local church, we forfeit our opportunity to influence and be influenced by the people of God. In order to fulfill the scripture, we must provoke (prod/encourage) each other in our assembly to a greater love for God and good works for God.
Lifting weights, working-out, running, diet, exercise of any kind is always easier when you have someone to help. Walking through the dark is easier when someone is holding your hand. A difficult task or chore doesn’t seem as bad when someone else is their working with you. I have been door knocking by myself and it is not as easy as when I have a partner to go with me. When we have others to help bear the burdens of life and minister along side the work of the Lord is easier and more effective. Why? Because we are working according to God’s design. We are working through the Essential Church.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
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