The Church, Part Two
God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. (Ephesians 1:22–23)
Yesterday, we discovered Dr. Jay Kesler’s five reasons why the church really is a big deal. No, it isn’t perfect (you’re a part of it, aren’t you?) and it hasn’t always modeled its message. But whatever is next in order of importance is a distant second—and I mean way down the line.
So, what’s all the commotion about the church? Well, besides the things in the list, I can think of only one other reason worth consideration. It is the church over which Jesus Christ says He rules as Head. He’s in charge.
Not General Motors. Not American Airlines or the American Medical Association or the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Not the local fire station or theater or police department or library or courtroom. Although important and helpful, these cannot claim His headship. Only the church. With all its quirks and faults, it still ranks right up there at the top.
See you Sunday. That’s when the Body and the Head meet to celebrate this mysterious union . . . when ordinary, garden-variety folks like us gather around the preeminent One. For worship. For encouragement. For instruction. For expression. For support. For the carrying out of a God-given role that will never be matched or surpassed on earth—even though it’s the stuff the world around us considers weird and weak . . .
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are. (1 Corinthians 1:25–28).
No matter how it may appear to others, if the church is something God has chosen and God is pleased to use, it’s a big deal.
