How do you build the Lord's church to be what He wants it to be? According to Paul it seems that building a church into a vibrant and active community requires involvement of every age level. (Titus 2:1-8). As the preacher, Titus, was to teach the appropriate doctrine. He was also to encourage the older men and women to possess certain qualities in their character and lifestyle. The ladies were then to give special encouragement and instruction to the younger women on how to be good wives and mothers. Finally, Titus was to give special instruction to the young men watching out for his own life and character in the process.

We need to ask ourselves, "How are we doing in building the Lord's church"? "Are we working together, helping and encouraging each other to be more and more Christ like"? We may have some areas that need adjusting. As a young man I enjoy hearing and learning from the wisdom of older brethren. They've been down the road and have invaluable experiences that I could profit from greatly. Young men and women need the wisdom that the older generation could share, and the older generation needs to share what they've learned.

Let's take a close look at the church today and compare it with the Lord's church in the New Testament. May we profit from that model. Our Lord has given us a mission to spread the gospel throughout our community and the world. The only way to accomplish that is to work together as a united body. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God." (Romans 15:5-7). The Lord be with you!

Part II

Jesus said, "'upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it'"(Matthew 16:18). Just before His ascension Jesus told His apostles, "'you shall be My witnesses'" (Acts 1:8). The apostles were His witnesses, and they spent their lives building Jesus' church. Peter, who was one of those special witnesses, wrote, "And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5). Our mission today is to continue building the Lord's church.What are we doing to build the Lord's church? You may say, "It's not my job!" Whose job is it? What sacrifices are we making to accomplish our mission? Christianity would not exist today if it were not for sacrifice. Some might say, "I can't afford the time because I'm too busy making a living for my family!" What are we as parents doing to raise our children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord?" If we're too busy to do our jobs a parents then someone or "something" else will do it for us, and we may not be pleased with the end result. There's nothing more important in this world than serving the Lord and building His church! It's time to quit pointing fingers and realize that a better church begins with me! Whose fault is it that things aren't going as well as they should for the Lord's church? Let all the church say, "Mine." It is "our" fault. May we all adjust our thinking and say with our Lord, "I had to be in My Father's house." (Luke 2:49). May we love one another and work zealously together to build a church the Lord would be proud to call His own! May God bless you and all of us as we work together the build Jesus' church!

-Copyright © 1998 Paul Landis (January 1998)