A VIEW ON THE CHURCH

iMPACT
With: SJ Uba, Ph.D.

Orchestrating the roadmap to self discovery, awareness, and actualization.

A VIEW ON THE CHURCH

Despite the tiring prolongment of unabated power outage, introduction of indecent laws and heightened political tension and civil unrest in our society, I hope you and your family are keeping safe!

Friends, it's my pleasure to deliver to you - this all important article on the most powerful entity on earth, "the Church of Jesus Christ."

The Church of Jesus Christ is a universal movement that has stood the test of time. As a matter of fact, the Church has outlived generations, kingdoms, governments and the powerful the world has ever known. This Bible evidence is also affirmed by contemporary history.

The term, Church is derived from the Greek word, Ekklesia, a word with two compound segments, "ek", a preposition meaning "out of" and a verb, "kaleo", signifying "to call." When put together, "to call out".

The Greek word "Ekklesia" when interpreted is akin to the following words: "assembly, congregation, council, or convocation." Simply put, the Church is the ASSEMBLING of "Called-Out" people, (out of darkness) into (Light) the Kingdom of God.

Contrary to assumptions of many in some quarters, the Church is not the Kingdom of God, rather She's part and parcel of God's kingdom.

What then is the Church?
Simply put, the Church is the family of God on earth. Terms such as; the light of the world, the apple of God's eyes, a city set on the hill, the salt of the earth, beloved brethren, fellowship, household of God, the saints, mountain of saviours, etc, were used at different times to paint a vivid picture on the Church of Christ.

With kind humily, permit me at this point to correct the notion that suggests that the Church is the Kingdom of God. That's incorrect, Biblically unfounded and erroneous. Let's take for instance; the followers of Jesus like; Apostle Peter, Apostle Paul, and Apostle John and others who have gone to be with the Lord are in the Kingdom of God, but not in your local Assembly. When you go to your local Church on Sunday, you won't see them there even though they are alive with God. They are now present with the Church in the spirit. This is because the Church is the manifest family of God here on earth; a living organism and part and parcel of God's kingdom.

The Church is a family where its members have fellowship and grow together.

You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God. (Ephesians 2:19 CEV)

In other words, the Church is a training and transformation centre.

Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, so his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong.
(Ephesians 4:11‭-‬12 CEV)

The Church would be reduced to a mere social gathering where, or when these characteristics are not in place. A Church that is not founded on Biblical truths, or without a seasoned training programme for its members is like a den of wolves where people prey on each other. This is not the "will" of the FATHER for the Church. We are the assembling of a "Called-Out" people. Our responsibility is to shed light and cause all men to see out of darkness. The purpose of the Church is "to build people into Christ." This is the very "will of God" for humanity.

In the words of T.L. Osborne, "Success is becoming more like Jesus Christ by helping others become more like Jesus Christ."

I can't agree less.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" (Ephesians 4:11-15)

The word "EDIFYING" as highlighted in the above Bible passages is a process of edifying, meaning: building matured and informed characters in Christ. Also, it stresses the following, to instruct, to enlighten, to improve in moral knowledge, to uplift, to inform, etc. The word edifying is akin to discipleship, or spiritual maturity, hence, I'm saying repeatedly according to Scriptures that the essence of fellowship is growth in every good thing without compromise, nothing more, nothing less. This is the "will" of the FATHER.

Therefore, if the testimony of Jesus is not taught, or preached in your Church with the intent to build you up, please change base as a matter of urgency.

Your local Church must possess the capacity to build you up into a matured follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ, and shape you for ministry, or service. The Church must discover, develop and deploy the gifts and graces of people. The Church must equip people to be true lights and salt of the earth. The Church must make disciples that will go on and make others for the Kingdom.

If this is not happening in your local Church, pack up and please do yourself a favour and change route. If I may ask you my dear friend, what is the primary focus of your local Church?

Are you wasting away in a gathering where the word of God has taken flight and the Holy Spirit is strange to many? With kind humility, I exalt you you to unapologetically pack up and relocate yourself to a genuine Bible-believing and Spirit-filled Christ-centred Church.

Are you in a gathering where sorcery is practised and demons are entertained and celebrated? Hey, check out!

If your answer is yes, please change base to a place where Jesus is preached; a place where you shall be instructed and informed with the intent to become spiritually mature. A place where demons tremble and check out. Stop playing dice with your destiny. Life is too short to waste it on foolish religious activities. The Church is not a centre for abracadabra and fortune telling, but a training and transformation centre. Steer clear from occult and witchcraft centres. Embrace the word of God and grow. Stop running around patronising witches and wizards. Look for a Bible-Believing Church and get yourself planted so you can grow into Christ and become spiritually sound and mature. This is the "will" of God for you.

If you consider Spiritual Maturity as imperative, please;

Enroll for Our
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Please note that the Church of Jesus Christ should open for both sinners and saints . . . for the purpose of transformation; "to enlighten" the lost and "to build up" the Saints.

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
"Jesus came to seek and to save the lost . . ." (emphasis mine)
Luke 19:10

Most importantly, don't forget the fact that the Church is people.

SPREAD THE LOVE!

God bless you.

To be continued. . .
If you are inspired, or motivated by this piece, please share your experience with us. Are you on a cross-road and needs a shift, please feel free, 24/7 to talk to us?

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Why not join our leadership & discipleship mentoring programme now?

Thank you for transforming with us.

My heartfelt prayer for you is that you succeed in all your endeavours.

Yours truly,
Dr. SJ Uba,
Pioneer ******

Copyright © 2022 SJ Uba

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