The Christian doesn't claim to have done anything in this process of change except depend on Jesus. When we say, “We are Christians,” we’re not shouting, “We are saved,” we’re whispering, “We get lost! That is why we chose Jesus as the way.” When we say, “ We are Christians,” we don't speak of this with pride. We’re confessing that we stumble and need Someone to be our guide. When we say, “We are Christians,” we’re not trying to be strong. We’re professing that we’re weak and pray for strength to carry on.

by Dr. Henry Johnson

Have you ever sat back and thought about the various organizations that have come and gone during your lifetime? The government has had to close some of their operations. Banks have closed their doors or been absorbed by bigger banks. Businesses have folded for lack of customers and some for lack of funds. When we stop to think of the Church, it is nearly two thousand years old and still in the business of worship, rescuing lost souls, and making disciples. The church is a living; vibrant Body of believers that has survived almost twenty centuries of persecution and attacks by those who have sought to shut her down. The survival of the church is not based on anything we have done or our forefathers. The church exists because of Her Founder, Her King, Her Lord, and Her Savior — the Architect and Master Builder who said, “Upon this Rock I will build My Church and the gates of Hell shall never prevail against it.” The fact of the matter is that it has taken an act of Almighty God to preserve the Church throughout the ages because the enemy has been on the attack. He even has a crew on the inside. They are church folk who claim to be a part of the Body. Let me define church folk for you: Church folk know the order of worship. They know the songs. Church folk know how to pray even though their prayers aren't sincere. They are in the choir, on the usher board, in the congregation, and yes even in the pulpit. Church folk look like Christians and act like Christians but haven't been saved by the blood of Jesus. Since they aren't saved they do things that hurt the church, create chaos rather than bring reconciliation, cause hurt rather than bring healing. Church folk have taken the masterpiece of God and distorted the beauty of the church, but they have not been able to destroy it because Christ who is the Head will not let it be destroyed.

Today, we have before us Paul's letter to the church in Colossae. Paul is writing to this church from prison. He wants them to know about the supremacy of Christ. Paul, in our text, wants these believers to know that Christ is the Head of the Church and what gives Him the right to be the Head. Paul wants the reader to know Jesus Christ is like no other person who has ever existed. He boldly tells the reader that God wanted all of himself to be in Jesus. God wanted everyone to know that Jesus is His Son and what the Father has the Son has. Jesus is God’s only Son, who was sent to be wrapped in flesh to clear a path for everything to come to back to God. I think you might have missed that so let me clarify it for you: The fall of man in the Garden of Eden left man on the outside looking in. He no longer experienced the fellowship he once had with God.

Early in God's Word, He began a redemptive plan. He set up a sacrificial system in the book of Leviticus but, before long, the sinfulness of man corrupted the system. From generation to generation, God tried to reconcile the sinful heart of man back to the Creator. Finally, we find God sending a part of Himself down through 42 generations in to a virgin named Mary. A child who was born to die a horrible death. Paul goes on to let us know that it was Christ's death on the cross that made peace with God. It took the precious blood of God’s only begotten Son to bring us back to Him. This act of sacrificial love made Jesus the Head of the Church. This is why He has the authority over the church and why He can declare, “Upon this Rock I will build My Church and the gates of Hell shall never prevail against it.”

Since Jesus is the Head, there must be a body. The term Christian was first given to believers in Antioch. The word Christian is clearly a designation for those who follow Christ. During the time of the disciples, people were identified by whom they followed. The followers of Herod were called Herodians so the followers of Christ are called Christians. That is why we see the name of Christ in the word Christian. Now, let me be clear here, there is a difference between church folk and Christians. A Christian has experienced a true change. Jesus used the term born again when talking to Nicodemus. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior is the only way make this change can occur. The Christian is washed and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. The washing of the soul removes the guilt of our sins. We are made righteous and justified by Jesus. The Christian doesn't claim to have done anything in this process of change except depend on Jesus. The Christian allows the work of the Holy Spirit to make them more like Christ day by day. We can make no claims or try to boast because we owe it all to Jesus. When we say, “We are Christians,” we’re not shouting, “We are saved,” we’re whispering, “We get lost! That is why we chose Jesus as the way.” When we say, “ We are Christians,” we don't speak of this with pride. We’re confessing that we stumble and need Someone to be our guide. When we say, “We are Christians,” we’re not trying to be strong. We’re professing that we’re weak and pray for strength to carry on. When we say, “We are Christians,” we’re not bragging of success. We are admitting we have failed and cannot ever pay the debt. When we say, “We are Christians,” we are not claiming to be perfect, our flaws are too visible but God believes we are worth it. When we say, “We are Christians,” we still feel the sting of pain we have our share of heartaches which is why we seek His name. When we say, “We are Christians,” we do not wish to judge. We have no authority. We only know we are loved. You see we are Christians because we are followers of Christ.

In God We Trust: Our official national motto, first appearing on a two-cent coin in 1864. In 1955,
through an act of Congress, this motto was approved for use on our paper money. It has appeared on all U.S. currency since that date.

Extending Jesus' Ministry

We've talked about Christ who is the head of the church and the Christian who makes up the body of Christ, so now let's press on to the Church. The word church is used to express various ideas, some of which are scriptural others are not. The word church may be used to signify: (1) the entire body of those who are saved by their relation to Christ, (2) a particular Christian denomination, (3) the aggregate of all the spiritual groups professing faith in Christ, (4) a single organized Christian group, or, (5) a building designated for Christian worship. We want to deal with the Church as the entire body of Christ.

The body of Christ is an extension of Himself and His Ministry. The Church assembles to bless the lives of others with the message of Jesus' love and salvation for all people. We gather as the body of Christ to tell a dying world that there is hope in Jesus...love in Jesus...joy in Jesus...peace in Jesus...and salvation in the name of Jesus. There is a structure in the church set up by Jesus. He gives two biblical officers according to 1 Timothy 3. These officers are the pastor and the deacons. The pastor is to be the Shepard of the sheep with the job of leading and feeding. The deacon is to support the pastor and wait on the sheep. Jesus gave additional help and instruction as recorded by Paul in Ephesians 4:11-15, which says It was He who, “... gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (NIV)

Jesus set up this structure so we can operate decently and in order. The body known as the church is able to function under the leadership given by Jesus. Each part of the body has a function. These functions are determined by the gifts of the individuals. Some are to sing while others are to be trustees while yet others are ministry heads and others ushers. You see, everyone has a place in the body and a function. There are no spectators in the church. If we work together we can do great things but if we work against each other scriptures say a house divided will fall.

God In Us

Christian friends, please remember that Christ must be the head of the Church. As the Head of the Church, He desires for us to focus ourselves, our lives, and our passions upon Him. As the Head of the Church, Jesus leads us to evangelize, to share the Good News with those who haven't heard. With Jesus as the Head of the Church we are to seek His desires as to how we can best share His love with those who aren't here and those who have never heard. As the Head of the Church, Jesus will impress upon us the need to equip the saints for the building up of the Body. When Jesus is actively the Head of the Church, we will be devoted to, committed to, and obsessed with equipping the brothers and sisters so that they will be able to function, as God has desired for them to function. As Head of the Church, Jesus will lead us out of the church and into the world to meet the needs of a hurting world. As Head of the Church, Jesus will bring us together. When the Church is following the leadership of Jesus, who is Head of the Church, we will see folks coming together and doing great things. As Christians, we are to recognize who is the head of the church and it is He who has saved us not we ourselves. We are to be followers of Christ and examples of His love, grace, and mercy.

When Christ is in the Christian the church will be a loving and caring place to be. When Christ is in the Christian the church will be a place that draws the lost, the hurt, the hungry, and the homeless. When Christ is in the Christian the church will be a place of healing and restoration. When Christ is in the Christian the church will become the Kingdom of God right here on earth. When Christ is in the Christian the church will be the bride Christ desires and will come to rapture.

Just Keeping It Real!

Reverend Dr. Henry Johnson
13 December 2004
doctorj@praisenet.org
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