Where is the “Church”?

(This is a word I delivered to Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Khanewal, Pakistan in the Punjab Province. I use terminology here that I don’t often use in that I am speaking to a church fellowship instead of a synagogue. The term “church” and its etymological history are debated. But, in modern times it often refers to both the body of believers in Yeshua (Jesus) and the buildings in which they meet. However, the building is of little importance, as you will see in this message.)

WHERE IS THE “CHURCH”?

By Marc Vidito

”When the day of Shavuot (Pentecost) had come, they were all together in one place.“

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭TLV‬‬

When I was a very little boy, there was a great spiritual awakening, a great revival all across America.  Young people who had given their lives over to drugs, sexual sin, and anger toward American political leaders and toward their parents turned to Jesus.  They gave up all the sins they were committing and lived like the disciples of Jesus’ time?

I remember our house was full of what we called “hippies”.  These young people that had turned from drugs and sin to Jesus.  They had no where else to go and so many stayed with my parents and me.

We had bible studies and worship times in an empty office building, on street corners, in each others’ homes.

My uncle, who had been addicted to drugs, stayed with us and introduced me to this new music all about Jesus.

We were together all in one place.

Decades later, when I was a young adult, in the 1990’s, I moved to be part of another community like this in Philadelphia, a large city on the East Coast.

Again, young people were turning from sin to Jesus.  We slept in each other’s homes.  Ate each other’s food.  Prayed together.  Worship day and night.  We invited people from the streets to come be part of our community.  We showed godly love to everyone and to each other by giving to each other and to those in need.  By praying for one another.  By reading the scriptures together.

One friend, Matt, and I went into the streets of the large city.  We packed bags with sandwiches and bibles and took them to homeless people who lived on the streets.  We prayed with these people.  Hugged them.  Shook their hands.  We listened to their stories and gave everything we could.

”For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.”“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭20‬ ‭TLV‬‬

Is the church in a big building?  Does the church need offices and altars?

No.

Listen to how the church, the body and bride of Messiah began…

”They were devoting themselves to the teaching of the emissaries and to fellowship, to breaking bread and to prayers. Fear lay upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were happening through the emissaries. And all who believed were together, having everything in common. They began selling their property and possessions and sharing them with all, as any had need. Day by day they continued with one mind, spending time at the Temple and breaking bread from house to house. They were sharing meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord was adding to their number those being saved.“

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭42‬-‭47‬ ‭TLV‬‬

The church begins in your heart.  It is the place where you meet with God.

There was never a time in Scripture when someone met with God or with Jesus and did not walk away changed.  An encounter with God starts something.

When you choose to follow Him, then you can’t help but want to bless others.  And where two or more are together in Jesus’ name, He is there.  That is the church.

The church is in your home when you share a meal with someone in need.

The church is on the street corner when you listen to someone’s needs and do what you can to meet that need.  Even if all you can do is pray.  The church is under a tree where two or more gather to worship God, to share the word’s of His truth.

The church is not in one location but travels to find orphans, widows.  It goes to the sick.  It stands beside a hospital bed and prays for peace and healing.

The church is not a building.  It is you connected with other believers to affect change in your community.

Will you be the church today?  Will you be the Body of Messiah, His hands and Feet to the world?

Dear God, our Lord and Savior, today, we say what Isaiah said in Isaiah chapter 6, when you asked, “Who will go for us? Whom shall I send?”

We say, “Hineni… Here I am.  Send me.”

Send me to the poor.  Send me to the sick.  Send me to those who have been abandoned.  Let the church start in my heart. In my home.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen