PREACHING OF 08 DECEMBER 2024:

Mentor Antonio Genova

WHO GOES TO CHURCH AND WHO IS CHURCH

Let's introduce the message with a verse of encouragement that should deeply resonate in our minds and hearts, and it is a pleasure to share it.

Romans 8:28; 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

This verse encourages us to remember that, whatever circumstance we are experiencing difficulty, confusion, or pain we can be assured that all things, without exception, work together for our good if we love God. When we approach the Word of God, we do so with respect and reverence, for the Word is Jesus Himself:

John 1:14; 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us; …

The Word is stable, unchanging, and true, and receiving and sharing it is both a privilege and a responsibility. This is because when we speak, it is not us who act, but God, who must increase in us as we humble ourselves. The Church is not a physical building but the people of God, as Jesus said:

Matthew 18:20; 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Church means "called out," and it is a divine institution with three main aspects:

1. Anchor of salvation: for the lost, for those who have no answers and are afflicted, oppressed, or sick.

2. Spiritual hospital: for those who are born again, offering care through meetings, study classes, and guidance in spiritual growth.

3. Barracks: for those who have been in the faith for a long time, a place of training and service for those who have realized their role in the body of Christ.

The message we are about to share, titled "Who Goes to Church and Who Is the Church", distinguishes between two realities: those who go to church often do not integrate into the body of Christ, while those who are the Church live as part of the glorious sacrifice of Jesus. Being the Church means being in love with Christ, understanding His sacrifice, and living for Him every day. The greatest problem for a believer is not falling in love with Jesus, because love for Christ gives us the strength to continue our journey toward the high calling to which God has called us, without wavering. If we are not, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us fall in love with Jesus and understand His sacrifice, which was the means for our salvation. Jesus loved us first; despite our sins, He chose to love us, and that is why we love Him. Our relationship with Him must be daily, like that of a lover who always desires to be with their beloved. Love for Christ makes us part of His body, driving us to serve Him with passion and dedication. Those who understand the sacrifice of Jesus live a transformed life, ready to do "crazy" things for the body of Christ. When Jesus was crucified, something extraordinary happened: being the day of Jewish preparation, the Jews asked Pilate to hasten the death of the crucified by breaking their legs, so that the bodies would not remain on the crosses during the solemn Sabbath. The soldiers carried out the order for the two thieves, but when they came to Jesus, they found Him already dead. Therefore, they did not break His legs, but a soldier pierced His side with a spear, causing blood and water to flow out, thus fulfilling the Scripture: "Not one of His bones will be broken" (John 19:36). This event confirms what had already been stated in Exodus 12:46, where God commanded that the Passover lamb be consumed without breaking any of its bones, a clear reference to Christ's perfect sacrifice. The apparent contradiction between the integrity of the Passover lamb and the broken body of Christ finds its meaning in Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 11:24; 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Here, Jesus speaks symbolically of His body as the Church, of which we are members. Through His death, He has made us part of Himself, calling us to take up a role in His body. This truth should fill us with joy because being the Church is an honor and a sublime calling. Being part of the Church means not remaining in a passive role but putting into practice the gifts God has entrusted to us. Each of us has received unique talents to discover and use for the glory of God. If we do not yet know them, we need only ask the Lord how we can serve Him. Holding back these gifts is akin to depriving the kingdom of God of opportunities for edification because He desires us to be active instruments in His hands. In recent times, we have learned much about praise and worship in a time of glory and revival, where many people are surrendering to God. Praise and worship are transforming our way of praying, igniting a fire that brings spiritual awakening. The Church is growing, and God, like a loving Father, needs each of us, guiding us toward spiritual maturity and calling us to live dynamically and responsibly. We cannot remain children in the faith; we are “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5), part of a living Church where the risen God works actively. Those who are the Church do not shy away from responsibility but respond passionately to God’s call, ready to say, “Lord, here I am!” Being the Church means serving with joy and awareness, even in the face of challenges, remembering that discouragement and sadness do not come from God. He calls us to a full, blessed life centered on His eternal plan. Our vocation is to live for Christ, with enthusiasm and gratitude, as members of His glorious body. Paul describes a Jesus so deeply connected to the Church that He sacrificed Himself completely for it. Reflecting on this, we understand that the apostle was not an extraordinary being but a man who had internalized the greatness of God’s love. However, the enemy seeks to distract us, suggesting that committing ourselves to Jesus is not essential, causing us to forget how fundamental His presence is in our lives. Without Him, where would we be today? In Ephesians 5:22-25, Paul compares the relationship between Christ and the Church to that between a husband and wife, highlighting Jesus' sacrificial love: “Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her.” This love calls us to recognize the value of Christ's sacrifice and not limit our involvement with the Church to seeking comfort in difficult times. He loved us to sanctify us and make us a glorious Church, holy and without blemish not a mere building, but a body of people redeemed by His blood. Being the Church means loving one another, following the example of Christ, who gave Himself for us. This love requires holiness, evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit, consecration, and the ability to forgive, bear with, and pray for one another. Holiness does not imply perfection but consistency in our witness, which takes time to build but can be lost in an instant. Jesus Himself warns: “Woe to anyone who causes one of these little ones to stumble” (Matthew 18:6), emphasizing the importance of preserving our testimony to draw others closer to Christ. The Church consists of imperfect people, united as members of the same body. When one part suffers or fails, the whole body is affected. Therefore, each member is called to be active, contributing to harmony and mutual growth. God has endowed us with unique talents; not only leaders or pastors but every believer has something to offer. Even a small gift, when placed in God’s hands, can be multiplied, as demonstrated in the miracle of the loaves and fishes, where a child’s generosity allowed Jesus to feed thousands. Serving God requires responsibility and commitment, without limiting ourselves or complaining about the energy it demands. Being the Church means belonging to a living body, called to glorify God through unity, willingness, and testimony. Christ has called us out of the world to shape us in a secure environment, like a “spiritual forge,” where we can grow in His will and glory. In this journey, every believer has a precious and irreplaceable role in building up the body of Christ and advancing His eternal plan.

Matthew 16:18; 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

This promise assures us that the Church is invincible and that immersing ourselves in it means finding protection and confidence in serving God, knowing we belong to a body that cannot be defeated. Peter was given the commission to be the Church not because of human traditions or institutional roles, but because of his faith and confession: “I believe that you are the Son of God.” This same confession makes us part of the Church, a place of protection and communion with God. We are not called to attend Church out of tradition or guilt, but because we love God and desire Him to be the center of our lives. The Church is a living community, not merely a ritual or a building.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

These verses emphasize the importance of community, reflecting the role of the body of Christ: praying, supporting one another, and working together in unity. Jesus Himself desired that the Church be one, as He prayed to the Father: “That they may all be one.” Unity is the hallmark of the Church and a powerful testimony to the world, foreshadowing the return of Christ. Achieving this unity requires sacrifice, such as forgiveness, letting go of pride, and pursuing peace. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, urges us to live worthily:

Ephesians 4:1-3; 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Being united is a responsibility that reflects the heart of the Father, who desires harmony among His children. A biblical example highlights the dangers of stepping out of God's protection. In Genesis 34:1-31, Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land and was kidnapped and violated, leading to tragedy and conflict within her family. This episode reminds us that stepping out of the protection of the body of Christ brings negative consequences. The Church is a refuge, a place to grow in God's will, and like Dinah, who should have stayed under the protection of Jacob, we are called to remain in the body of Christ. The Church is not just a place of belonging, but a living and divine reality that ensures our spiritual protection and growth. Therefore, staying in the Church means living in God's will, experiencing His power and love. Dinah's story provides a powerful warning about the dangers of following our own thoughts and desires without God's guidance. Dinah, likely attracted by the idea of exploring the world outside her family's protection, stepped away from the safety she had under her father's care. This act of rebellion, though initially motivated by curiosity, led to tragedy. Her decision illustrates how the world, ruled by the prince of this world, the devil, is full of snares, and how, if we allow ourselves to be carried away by our own thoughts without considering the consequences, we can make grave mistakes. Scripture urges us not to rely only on our own plans, but to seek counsel from others and, above all, to follow God's plans.

Proverbs 15:22; 22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

This teaches us that, before taking any action, it is crucial to have wise guidance.

Proverbs 19:21; 21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

Trusting in God and His plans is essential to avoid stumbling into mistakes that could lead to spiritual destruction. The rush to achieve results without waiting for God's timing represents another danger, as highlighted by Dinah's experience.

Proverbs 21:5; 5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

Haste drives us to take shortcuts that are not part of God's plans, and often these actions lead us away from His will. Scripture teaches us that when the Church is united and believers persevere in teaching, fellowship, prayer, and love, God's blessings flow, making it stable and able to withstand the enemy's attacks.

Acts 2:41-47; 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

This unity in the Church prevents the devil from dividing believers, because when we are united, we are strong and able to resist his temptations. Staying united in the Church, persevering in prayer, fellowship, and mutual love, is essential for our spiritual growth and for triumphing over every evil force. It is through this spirit of unity that we glorify God, allowing His power to manifest in the Church.