​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 them DISCIPLES. The word DISCDIPLE 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 Christion 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 or 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 the church IS SALT? There are two characteristics that readily apply to the church: 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 ROTTENNESS, and to OBSTRUDT DORRUPTION 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 the 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.

 

 NOW - listen very closely, THE CHURCH IS GOING TO LIVE. Some members wont - Some congregations wont BUT the church will! WILL YOU???