Wanted: Carpenter Apprentices
We all know a couple that we love one of the two
and we - shall we say - struggle with the not-better half. I am sure I have been that half for some
people. That’s okay, they have some friends struggling with their spouses’
choice too.
Many feel this way
about the church. They love Jesus, but struggle with His bride. There seems to
be a glaring disconnect: how did He end up with her, what was He thinking?
The church is an easy
target and does much to paint bull’s-eyes on herself. Some of the attitudes and
behaviors of Jesus’ chosen spouse are astounding, inexcusable. “She said and
did what? And she is married to Him?”
Pick your favorite
and convenient horror story. Does it involve an abusive pastor, fickle
so-called friends, gossip, closed cliques, abused pastors, “those preacher’s
kids”, or wrongly judged and mistreated preacher’s kids and spouses?
Maybe your church
story’s main character is a hypocritical deacon, or a Holy Joe that lived like
the devil? Is money involved, or improprieties of 1000 different kinds?
GUILTY! Yes, His
bride should blush and tear her wedding gown in repentance over her sinfulness.
But this is not news. Most of the New Testament is written to help Christ’s
Bride learn to be beautiful. The letters
– epistles if you like church talk - are filled with correctives. This Fair
Lady needs much learnin’ and refining.
Jesus’ earthly father
handed off a trade to his boy: carpentry. This included wood and stone
construction. He learned the hard, honest trade of building. According to
Matthew 16:17-18, Jesus is still doing construction:
“Jesus replied,
"…And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my
church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Using those who know Him,
He is erecting, correcting and perfecting a spiritual house (Ephesians 4:11-16;
1 Peter 2).
Among the things
Jesus is doing in heaven, at the top of His list is shepherding His sheep:
finding the lost ones, healing the hurt, separating those fighting, and
protecting, providing for and using all of them. Have you read Psalm 23 or John
10 lately?
In our fair city
literally built around churches – Church Circle – if you cannot find one church
to connect with, guess who might be the issue? With over 200 to shop from –
which is what we consumer Christians do – if not one suites your taste – how
convenient.
Yes, I know they ask
for money, dress and talk funny, have hard pews, boring sermons and imperfect
leaders (come visit my church if you need Exhibit A). Also agreed is that not
everyone there is as sincere as you are (“hypocrites” is such a tired excuse).
True too that some people use it as a social club.
Your point? Can the church “do church” better? No doubt.
So? If Jesus says He is in love with His
bride – He did die for her – then who are we to demand perfection this side of
heaven? That is one of the promises of heaven – a pure, spotless, wrinkle-free
Bride (Ephesians 5:25-33).
Yes, you got hurt one
time, or several times. Tell it to Jesus who let his future bride nail Him to a
cross.
Yes, speak
prophetically to her of her sins, but not merely pathetically of her in your
bitterness.
Do Vols fans give up
because a few fans behave poorly? Some
do every week without fail. As one wit said: did you give up eating because Mom
once burned the biscuits? Can you say
potluck casseroles? But I digress.
Here is a hot secret:
If you trash talk my wife, tell me you hate her, we are going to have
issues. She is mine, I am hers, we are
one. To try to separate us, to get me to side with you to impress me is worse
than dumb, that may prove painful.
Ask a policeman the
most dangerous calls they receive: domestics. If they get between sparring
spouses, they risk creating a powerful tag team. Ask Jesus if you can
disrespect and dismiss His bride? Don’t
get Him started.
Which church or pastor do you owe a thank you note
for providing you with a cheap excuse to give up on church?
Jesus the Carpenter is still building: creating,
enlarging and putting finishing touches on His church. Rumors of His bride’s death are greatly
exaggerated. Hell’s gates may look
stronger and seem more daunting, but not to Him.
Christ
has not given up on His church and neither must we. It is not an option. To stay outside the
church is in some real ways to stay away from Jesus. Selective accountability is a dangerous place
to be. All pride is (1 Peter 5).
Jesus is forming and fortifying Himself a people. He
is using and empowering those who know Him – confess Him in truth. Build with
Him! (Matt. 16:13-23; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24, 25; Acts 2:42). If I
dare: Any old jackass can kick down a barn.
Get on His winning team! Christ’s church – His
called-out ones - cannot be stopped (1
Peter 2:4-8; Romans 8). When we keep Christ as the chief cornerstone, building
on Him, look out, hell.
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