1 Timothy 3:14, “If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
The Greek word for church is “ekklesia,” and means, “the gathered and called out ones.” Specifically, in regards to Jesus the church refers to the disciples who are gathered together under the lordship of Jesus to proclaim the gospel and make disciples of the nations. From the Day of Pentecost until now Jesus has been building His church upon disciples that make disciples.
The church made up of Christ’s disciples is the pillar and foundation of all truth in this world.
The church is the only thing that Jesus said He would personally build. He promised the church that the gates of hell would never overcome it (Matthew 16:18). He didn’t say He was going to build a “religion;” Jesus said He was going to build the greatest living organism known to humanity- the church!
The church is also called Christ’s Bride in Revelation 21:9 and His Body in Ephesians 5:23. Jesus chose twelve men to be the foundation of His church and all these men, except for Judas, became the pillars for the church with Jesus as the Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). In New Jerusalem each of the twelve disciples’ names (minus Judas, possibly replaced with Paul) will be on the foundation of the walls and they will rule from twelve thrones as the supreme court of God’s Kingdom (Revelation 21:14 & Luke 22:30).
Though in the last two thousand years there have been certain “churches” and mainline denominations, like the Roman Catholic Church, that have backslid and have been overcome by the devil’s deception; however, the actual Bride of Christ has remained unblemished throughout every generation. She is pure and holy because Jesus Christ (her husband) has protected her with His Word (sound doctrine) as Paul taught in Ephesians 5:25-27. Someone once said, “The church is in Christ as Eve was in Adam.” Jesus is one with His church and will never be separated from her (Ephesians 5:31-32). Though Satan has tried to use false teachings, perversion, greed and sinful leaders to stop the church, he has failed because today the unified and global church is reaching more people with the truth than ever before!
Therefore, you and I need to stand with the church of Jesus Christ in our generation in the following three ways; (1) Join a biblically based church in your community and be committed to serve and pray for the leadership. (2) Financially support your church with tithes and offerings. The last thing the devil wants is a church with enough money to send missionaries around world and impact its community with charity. (3) Become a leader and join with the other living stones and build Christ’s church for the glory of God (1 Peter 2:5).
Reflection
In what ways can you stand for the church in your community?
Action
- Explain from the Bible why you should stand for the church.
- Pray that God will use you to make disciples that make disciples.
- Resources: “Discipleship Based Churches,” by Joe Wyrostek and “The Disciple-Making Church,” by Bill Hull.
One Year Reading Plan
Zechariah 2:1-3:10, Revelation 13:1-18, Psalm 141:1-10, & Proverbs 30:18-20. Click here to read online.
