It's a common scene: Sunday mornings find countless individuals faithfully filling church pews. There's a comfort in the hymns, a familiarity in the rituals, and a sense of community in shared worship. And for many, that's where "church" ends. They go to church, but they don't necessarily want to be the Church.
Yet, a closer look at scripture reveals a profound truth: Jesus didn't call us to be spectators in a building; He called us to be the living, breathing embodiment of His love in the world. The early believers didn't "go to church" in the way we understand it today. They were the church, a vibrant community actively living out their faith every day.
The Distinction: Spectators vs. Participants
When we simply "go to church," we can fall into the trap of being consumers of a spiritual service. We listen to sermons, enjoy the music, and even feel inspired, but our engagement often stops at the door. This isn't what Jesus envisioned.
Jesus' desire for His followers is far more dynamic. He wants us to be the church, which means actively participating in His mission, living out His teachings, and extending His love to those around us. It's about being the hands and feet of Christ, not just occupying a seat.
Scriptural Foundations for "Being the Church"
Consider these powerful scriptures that illuminate what it means to be the Church:
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NIV [12] Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. [15] Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? [18] But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. [19] If they were all one part, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, but one body. [21] The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” [22] On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23] and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, [24] while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, [25] so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. [26] If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. [27] Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (emphasis mine)
These verses beautifully illustrate that we are not isolated individuals, but interconnected parts of a larger spiritual organism. Each part has a vital role to play in the functioning of the whole.
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV [18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This is the Great Commission, a clear directive for believers to actively engage in sharing the Gospel and discipling others. It's an outward-focused mandate, not an inward-focused attendance.
Acts 2:42-47 NIV [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
This snapshot reveals a community deeply committed to one another, to teaching, to prayer, and to actively serving those in need. They were the church in action.
Galatians 5:13-15 NIV [13] You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. [14] For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [15] If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Being the church involves selfless service to others, driven by love.
The Continuous Process of Alignment
Maintaining a solid foundation in faith and aligning our priorities with God's will is a continuous process, not a quick fix. It requires regular self-reflection and openness to God's guidance. This applies directly to how we view our role in the Church. Are we merely attending, or are we actively participating in God's ongoing work in the world?
From Spectator to Participant
So, how do we transition from simply "going to church" to truly "being the Church"?
The call to be the Church is a call to active, living faith. It's a call to be transformed and to be agents of transformation in the world.
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 NIV [16] So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! [18] All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: [19] that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Let us not just attend church, but truly be the Church, living out the love and mission of Jesus Christ every single day.
Yet, a closer look at scripture reveals a profound truth: Jesus didn't call us to be spectators in a building; He called us to be the living, breathing embodiment of His love in the world. The early believers didn't "go to church" in the way we understand it today. They were the church, a vibrant community actively living out their faith every day.
The Distinction: Spectators vs. Participants
When we simply "go to church," we can fall into the trap of being consumers of a spiritual service. We listen to sermons, enjoy the music, and even feel inspired, but our engagement often stops at the door. This isn't what Jesus envisioned.
Jesus' desire for His followers is far more dynamic. He wants us to be the church, which means actively participating in His mission, living out His teachings, and extending His love to those around us. It's about being the hands and feet of Christ, not just occupying a seat.
Scriptural Foundations for "Being the Church"
Consider these powerful scriptures that illuminate what it means to be the Church:
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NIV [12] Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. [15] Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? [18] But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. [19] If they were all one part, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, but one body. [21] The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” [22] On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23] and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, [24] while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, [25] so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. [26] If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. [27] Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (emphasis mine)
These verses beautifully illustrate that we are not isolated individuals, but interconnected parts of a larger spiritual organism. Each part has a vital role to play in the functioning of the whole.
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV [18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This is the Great Commission, a clear directive for believers to actively engage in sharing the Gospel and discipling others. It's an outward-focused mandate, not an inward-focused attendance.
Acts 2:42-47 NIV [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
This snapshot reveals a community deeply committed to one another, to teaching, to prayer, and to actively serving those in need. They were the church in action.
Galatians 5:13-15 NIV [13] You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. [14] For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [15] If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Being the church involves selfless service to others, driven by love.
The Continuous Process of Alignment
Maintaining a solid foundation in faith and aligning our priorities with God's will is a continuous process, not a quick fix. It requires regular self-reflection and openness to God's guidance. This applies directly to how we view our role in the Church. Are we merely attending, or are we actively participating in God's ongoing work in the world?
From Spectator to Participant
So, how do we transition from simply "going to church" to truly "being the Church"?
- Engage Beyond Sunday: Look for opportunities to serve within your church community and in your wider neighborhood. This could be volunteering, helping a neighbor, or simply being a compassionate listener.
- Live Your Faith Daily: Let your faith influence your actions, words, and attitudes in every aspect of your life – at work, at home, and in your interactions with others.
- Prioritize Fellowship: Deepen your relationships with other believers. Share life, pray together, and encourage one another in your walk with God.
- Embrace Discipleship: Seek to grow in your understanding of God's Word and apply it to your life. Also, consider how you can help others grow in their faith.
The call to be the Church is a call to active, living faith. It's a call to be transformed and to be agents of transformation in the world.
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 NIV [16] So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! [18] All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: [19] that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Let us not just attend church, but truly be the Church, living out the love and mission of Jesus Christ every single day.
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