CHURCH BUILDER
                               "I will build my church" Matthew 16:18
                                            Edward Proffitt, Th.D.

Jesus Christ said, "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). Soon after Jesus began His ministry He gathered and inner circle of friends. He called the DISCIPLES. The word Disciple means A LEARNER. Those inner circle disciples were pupils in the school of Jesus Christ.

As a member of the church we are disciples that are learning about Jesus Christ and the life He would have us live. We are students, not teachers. Because of that truth there are imperfections that show through at times. But the fact we realize we have not arrived is the reason we are in the church.

Some of the Christian forefathers use to call the church the ARK OF SAFETY. With that concept, the church would be a place to retreat from the world. To see the church as a place of retreat takes it out of the army ranks and puts it into the ranks of a nursing home.

There are those who look at the pastor as being harnessed to a wagon with responsibility to pull saints to heaven. Then in between the pulling he is to have the characteristic of a nurse to give out SOOTHING SYRUP to COLICKY CHRISTIANS. Biblically that is not true of a church or a pastor.

The purpose of the church with Jesus as Biblical authority is to lead TO SALT, "ye are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13). That brings us to another question, what IS SALT, and what does Christ mean when He says he church IS SALT? THERE ARE TWO CHARACTERISTICS THAT REALLY APPLY TO THE CHURDH: 1. SALT gives a tang to the feast of life. 2. SALT is a preventive.

By that we say the church should be a standard in the INVADING ROTTENESS, and to OBSTRUCT CORRPTIONN that would INVADE AND DISINTEGRATE a person. Now in saying that, I know that a big part of the work of the church is to RESCUE THE PERISHING , but not at the expense of CARING FOR THE DYING. It is a individuals responsibility to win souls and witness and be concerned with evangelizing. It is each church members responsibility. But the supreme mission of he church is not the CURE but to PREVENT.

Now I think the church ought to be high on the list of the best thing a Christian has. The reason I say that is because Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" A church member ought to be walking in tall places.

Let me give you a formula for doing any thing as a Christian:
***Is what I am going to do --- A direct contrast to the Word of God?
***Is what I am going to do --- A reproach to the church that I am a member?
***Is what I am going to do --- Cause a weaker brother to stumble?
***Is what I am going to do --- Cause a sinner to see Christ in a bad light?
If you have to say yes to any of those you should not do it. Are you SALT- A PREVENTATIVE?  That is what Jesus wants of us as a part of His church.   

Listen very closely! THE CHURCH IS GOING TO LIVE. Some members wont - Some congregations wont. BUT THE CHURCH WILL!  The big question is - WILL YOU??
FROM THE PULPIT.

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