Monday, August 13, 2012

Nehemiah 3 - Building the Church

The rebuilding of the gates in the wall...  So many men used their energy, their skills, to rebuild the walls and it's gates.  I remember stories of how the first church's, for that matter homes, businesses, etc. were built in this country.  Everyone pitched in!  The history of our church building at Zion in Skanee is not unlike that!  Every now and then we get visitors who will tell us what part their grandparents had in building the church.  Everyone used their gifts to be used in raising up that physical building.  Building a church was a community event.  Building up the Church, which is the Body of Christ, also involves community - the whole community.  The gifts and talents of everyone are necessary to the building up (to grow and edify) of the Body of Christ, which is the Church.  But, I have to add it is not we who build the Church, but Christ in and through and around us.  (Heb 13:21 NIV)

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph 4:15-17)

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb 12:20-21)

No comments: