What Is Church Like?
And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and even more as you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASB)
Recently I was asked by a friend and brother what I thought church should look like; meaning what makes a church and how those in attendance should interact with each other. I have been pondering this question for a few days, the eventual answer I bring is based on Scripture and my own background.
Initially my thoughts went to the first fellowship that we find in Acts 2:44-47; where believers shared with each other, particularly those who were in need. They worshipped and took communion together joyfully and in sincerity, finding favor in the community attracting new members. In the picture that Luke paints before us we see a fellowship of unselfish love; one that is a standard for churches to follow today. The sad truth though is that some brethren forget these things, as did Ananias and his wife Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. They lost sight of the God that they were supposed to be serving and worshipping and sought their own selfish gain. There are still such people in churches today who seek to build/protect their own status. In contrast the message of God’s Word regarding fellowship can be found in a series of statements which I call “The One Another Commands.” There are 100 such commands in the New Testament, of which 47 are instructions focusing mainly on unity, love and humility. I would recommend a study of these commands; you can begin with this handy infographic which lists them.
So, what does church look like to me? Sunday church begins earlier than the service for me; I rise early to have time for reading and prayer. I even go as far as praying in the carpark, seeking God’s presence and guidance. As I see it I am there to serve Him more than to be served, even though I am not in a ministry team. My service is to God in those He puts in my path that day. Having prepared in good time without rushing I am able to enter church joyfully; that is in my outward appearance to my brethren. At the same time, I enter prayerfully; my inward heart seeking His purpose in the moment. Even in church, Satan uses every opportunity to divert my attention, usually through some individual or incident. The best way to be able to deal with such is to be in close communion with His Holy Spirit. In all this I find myself blessed by my contacts with those I meet and in the service itself. My final stage on Sunday is a prayer of thanksgiving in the carpark – my own personal prayer closet on wheels.
Alan Kearns is a Christian father and grandfather from Scotland. He was raised in the mining villages of Fife and came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1984. A major influence that leads Alan to Jesus was his Christian mum, grandparents and an aunt. Alan writes regular devotionals in his blog Devotional Treasures
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