Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Church (12/06/07)
-
TITLE: The Bride Awaits. | Previous Challenge Entry
By Norma-Anne Hough
12/12/07 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ Her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word,
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride,
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.”
The above first verse of the beautiful hymn The Church’s One Foundation by Samuel J. Stone says it all.
There must be many hundreds of churches throughout this world. Some have stood for centuries, seen wars and tribulation, while others are brand new structures. No matter where the church is and what the building looks like, unless it is built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ it cannot succeed. The pastor and his eldership must be passionately in love with Jesus. He must come first no matter what. We need only look at all the great men of God, Charles Wesley, Smith Wigglesworth, Charles Spurgeon and many others to know their passion was Jesus and only Him.
Many people claim Jesus was pretty radical in His preaching and teaching. I am sure He was. He called it as it was. No grey areas for Him. He came to this earth with a mandate from His heavenly Father and nothing would stop him. He preached in villages, on mountain slopes, from a boat and even in the temple.
He didn’t need fancy structures of buildings.
The many problems we encounter in the churches today begin with either the pastor who has lost his vision, or the flock who do not want to hear the truth. The pew warmers. Those who love to hear a short comfortable message. I have sat through many such services. Although I was battling an addiction I felt no condemnation.
I did plenty of good deeds, was always available to serve the teas, give lifts and do visits. If they felt uncomfortable about the fact that I drank, they never addressed the situation.
Thankfully I was lead to join another fellowship. Wow! What a wake-up call. I was on my way to hell! Did I enjoy what I was hearing? Definitely not! Was I convicted? Most certainly.
I was thrown out of my comfort zone and had to make a few major changes.
I am so grateful for a young man whose passion for Jesus would not be compromised. Who preached the truth in no uncertain manner. No matter how I tried to manipulate the situation, I could not win. Change was needed and that was that.
The truth set me free. His love sought me out. His blood flowed freely at Calvary, so that I was washed and cleansed.
Churches are there for our salvation, we need them no matter how small or big. We need to hear the Word and we also need the fellowship of like minded people.
The Bridegroom is coming back for His bride. Has your church prepared you for that day?
“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corth 3:11.
“O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee:
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales the Bride
With Thee by living fountains
Forever shall abide.”
The Church’s One Foundation by Samuel J. Stone.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
The title didn't match the theme of this essay. Perhaps something more about convicting sermons.
Keep writing.