Cross Training - Doctrines of Faith and the Church

I find very few things as difficult as taking an immense topic, beyond our normal scope of thinking, and cramming it into a 2-week sermon series.  That's the dilemma I face as I share with you the topic of the Doctrine of the Church.  My experience in the church has led me to believe, right or wrong, that there are two attributes I believe to be essential within the framework of the church – the Church Missional and the Church Incarnational. The Church Missional targets the outward movement of the church in creation. The Church Incarnational targets the inward advances of the Holy Spirit moving through a Believer for the advance of God’s kingdom.  Both are absolutely necessary for the health and advancement of the body of Jesus Christ.  

Gilbert Belizikian uses a term to describe one aspect of the mission of the church in his book "Christianity 101."  He states that the church is to be, not only a community of oneness, but a centripetal community.  It is defined as moving in a direction towards an axis or center.  Strangely enough, this last Sunday I used this word to describe the church as a community that moves away from an axis or center, like a centrifuge.  Oops!  I guess this week I will be apologizing.  Nevertheless, the principal, as it applies to the church, is necessary.  The church community is called to oneness, and oneness is accomplished when the individuals within the church recognize the purpose behind a centripetal force that draws people to this place.  This in turn also has a centrifugal affect on the health of the church because when the body of Christ moves together in health and oneness the ripple effect of influence on their communities becomes nuclear.

A church, or community of oneness resembles a building that is living and breathing, while at the same time inputting breath and life into Christ's creation.  Listen to Peter's analogy of the church in 1Peter 2:5 - "And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God." 

I like the description "living stones," because it doesn't describe a building material that over time disintegrates and falls apart.  It describes a building material that is intended to constantly have new life breathed into it.  That new life is not forced in, but instead is absorbed in mutually, the willingness of the individual or stone, and through the influence of the Holy Spirit. 

Therefore, the power and influence of the church begins with the individual who finds health through the power of the Holy Spirit, and in turn, provides health to the surrounding building blocks that also make up this structure called the church.  When individuals pursue personal obedience and holiness it adds strength to the organism of the church that is felt throughout, not just within the individual.  I share this with you so that you are encouraged to persevere in obedience because it does and will make a difference though you may not see the influence.

Talk later.