Community is a precious commodity hard to achieve in our world today. This day of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn or, whatever your choice of social media, has given us a false sense of community. We have hundreds or even thousands of friends or connections through a multitude of social media outlets but are stretched to find one person with whom we can talk or rely upon.
This is a reason why I love the local church. The local church is a community of which I have been a part nearly all of my life. When this community is functioning properly, the church is a great place to be a part. I love the corporate worship shared with other believers. I love when believers study God’s Word together and serve together. I love hearing stories of how God has revealed Himself in people’s lives. I love experiencing and sharing joy as individuals give special testimony of specific God moments they have experienced in the now.
Real fellowship and connection with others can occur within the community of the local church. The writer of the book of Hebrews emphasized the importance of God’s people gathering together. “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25, NLT).
Indeed, our world today can be a very scary place. ISIS is specifically targeting, torturing and killing Christians all around the globe. Iran is trying to participate in the nuclear weapon arena. The United States of America appears to have lost any sense of a moral compass with a concerted effort to move far away from our Christian heritage.
Many of us have looked at our world and have wondered if Jesus is getting ready to return. No one can predict the day of Jesus’ return. However, Hebrews 10:25 clearly instructs us what to do until this time occurs. We need to gather together for a purpose. We gather to encourage one another. We become a community of encouragement so the church can get about what we are called to do.
Many believers have forgotten what the church was called to do. Our churches have evolved, for the most part, into social clubs for the saints rather than hospitals for the sinners. We have developed a country club mentality . . . focusing on us, our needs, and our desires. We have become excellent at playing the game of church and forgotten we are called to be the church. Because of this focus on the inward, we have neglected to look outward. Because of this focus, our community of believers is hurt by petty disagreements and little battles. Because of these petty disagreements and battles, our local communities of believers become hurt and broken. This focus on the inward will eventually lead the church to being irrelevant.
Let’s strive to edify and encourage one another in the community of faith so she can fulfill her purpose . . . so the church can be about the business God intended – Impacting our cities, county, state, nation and world with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
