The Missing Element (Entity)

We definitely live in a time of increased Christian activity, where para-church ministries and programs abound. In many cases today, one might be asked which group, church activity, or outreach: youth ministry, missions ministry, children's ministry...senior’s, teens, pre-school, singles, married, divorced, one wishes to join before even being asked if one is saved. This is not to say that good does not come out of these groups, however for all the flurry of activity there is a key element missing - the Church herself. A bold statement, I know. Even a casual glance at the New Testament would reveal a shocking difference between the church of the bible and the church of today. There is a monumental distinction between doing The work of the Lord and doing the Lord’s work. The former - historically seeing what Jesus did and ministering to people through that historical example. The latter - allowing Jesús to be glorified through His church.

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:10-11

The intent spoken of here is that through salvation God’s purposes might be known by the church and that they will also be made known through His church. This is accomplished by the manifold wisdom of God being shown, or shall we say shining through, His church. In the book of Luke our Lord speaks of the light from a candle, that no man is to hide it under a vessel so that those who come in may see it (Luke 8:16). You would not invite someone into your home, then switch off the lights! God’s eternal purpose which he purposed in Jesus was that His life would dwell in man and that His purposes would therefore be manifest; alighted through the corporate expression of His people as He abides in His church. This is markedly divergent from what we have today. There is structure where we should have life, liturgy where there should be light, and a mentality of success where we should have organic life producing fruit. It would seem that the simplicity of the mystery eludes us: Christ in you the hope of glory. We fail to fully comprehend the truth of Christ within (Colossians 1:27).

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates.

II Corinthians 13:5

If the church spent a fraction of the time she spends talking about friendship and finance on the wonder of Christ in us then maybe, just maybe, we would begin to comprehend some of the purpose of God. This is an inside-out operation not an outside-in. Any activity, all activity, should stem solely from the life of Christ within the believer, then expressed through His church.

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God has placed everything under the power of Christ and has set him up as head of everything for the Church. for the Church is his body, and in that body lives fully the one who fills the whole wide universe.

Ephesians 1:22-23 | J.B. Phillips New Testament

And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church

Ephesians 1:22 | Amplified Bible (AMP)

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places

might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God

Ephesians 3:10

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world

without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:21

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body

Ephesians 5:23

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Colossians 1:18

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church.

Colossians 1:24

For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

1 Timothy 3:5

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1 Corinthians 12