Dr. Pat Polis believes in the power of the body of Christ.
The word church has been misused and misapplied for as long as I can remember – and that’s a long time! Over time, the “church” has evolved into a building when God’s intention from the very beginning has always been the church as a body of believers. What is the local church and why is it so important? Considering that churches are scattered across our landscape like weeds, it’s a good question when 70-80 percent of them are stagnant and in decline, in addition to the thousands that close each year.
In essence, the local church is the physical representation of Jesus Christ on this earth. It is originally designed to be the place where people can gather to learn about Christ, grow up in the knowledge of Christ and then serve as the hands and feet of Christ. It is originally designed to be a place of mutual encouragement and accountability, helping believers to stay grounded in their faith to successfully navigate through life’s challenges as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Rather than focus on all that the church is not doing, let’s instead ask why is the local church so important? Here are a few observations.
Christ has redeemed us into the life of His body-the church. This is the Christian life to which we have been called. Christ loved the church and gave His life for her [Ephesians 5:25]. Linking our lives with the local church is not just God’s requirement, it’s one of His greatest blessings.
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Ephesians 3:10-12].
Redemption has always been God’s plan and purpose. He appointed the local church to carry out that plan. There is no plan B.
Dr. Pat Polis
The Church Mechanic
Joy 620 WRJZ
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Is the church still viable? To ‘regulars’ yes, absolutely. Why?
To ‘visitors’ from other churches- these are the majority of ‘visitations’ not satisfied with the church movement in their own home-church. Why?
To those outside the door- Not particularly. Why?
Not viable. Where they live- the church is not.
Not viable to them or in the words of the king “What is, has been, what will be has been already, messages are become repetitive most of the time built on other minister’s messages, Nothing new under the Sun. “You arta gitchee up in this altar” isn’t funny, jokes aren’t funny, Comedy Clubs can be but usually are not they prey the plight and struggle of everyday life. The church has left their tracks in yesterday’s glow, ‘We used to be .. you should have seen us when we were’ the church has no message for today’s youth and most of the time not for the elderly or the midlife stream. The children that are or were children - the church catered to these and bent the church to their needs or desires.
Natural food. Vs Spiritual food.
Titheway. Vs. Matthew 6:1-4
Visual TV Vs. Bible in hand
Water bottle. Vs. water well
Belief. Vs. Faith
Human. Vs. Substance
Faith or Belief. Vs. ? Don’t know
TRUTH. Vs. Established
Knowledge. Vs. Understanding
Understand. Vs. Wisdom
Knowledge. Vs. Today’s World
Understanding Vs. Tithe
Fasting
Prayer
Showman. Vs. TRUTH
Surrender. Vs. We Will Not
§
The “We Will Not” religion:
What can ‘we’ do VS What does God state:
“Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.
Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.”
Jeremiah 6
(*Warrenites::Jeremiah 25:29-38)