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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
We're Building a Church!
Yes, we’re building a church. No, we are not talking about that new building about a mile down the road, but a church. And it’s not just any church, it’s the church of Christ, His church in Dripping Springs. This church is a part of the body of Christ that He came to earth to build. Its value is seen in that He purchased that church with His own “precious blood”, as stated in 1 Peter 1:18-19. That church may meet in a physical building, but the church is not made of brick and mortar. It is made up of “living stones”, men and women who were baptized into that body and who are seeking to bring others into that church Jesus built, 1 Peter 2:5, Mark 16:15-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:13.
How do you “build a church”? Is it just like building a rock and lumber building? There are similarities, but also many differences. Take a look at the many similarities in the two “buildings”:
- For a physical building there must be a place, land upon which to build. In Luke 17:21 Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” Jesus made it clear that His church and His kingdom were one and the same. The church is built within the hearts of men and women who belong to Christ – His disciples. We do not preach to land and property, but to people, for the gospel of Christ must have a place in our hearts as we ourselves are “in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3, 3:10-11. Is there a place in your heart for His church?
- This new building began in our realization that it was needed. Then, acting upon the need, we considered the plan. No building – whether physical or otherwise – begins without a plan, and God had planned the church from “before the foundation of the world,” Ephesians 3:10-11. God’s plan and planning have been seriously considered as we continue to “build” the church Jesus died for because the Bible says, “See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern,” Hebrews 8:5, Exodus 25:40. There is a pattern, and we will consult it in every decision in the building of Christ’s church here in Dripping Springs.
- We have a place; we see the need; we have the plan; – now we need workers to build the church. Jesus Himself emphasized this need when He stated,
“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers
are few,” Matthew 9:37.
The kingdom of God will always need workers because entrance into that kingdom does not come by miracle or by chance. There must be those who will teach, nurture, encourage and show by their example what that church is to be. No one person or small group of persons can do the work that must be done – it is demanded of all. A preacher has his work of proclaiming the gospel, but he too must teach, visit, serve, evangelize – just as all Christians must do. No Christian can sit back and wait for others to do their part. The Bible speaks of Christians being “workers together,” 2 Corinthians 6:1, and both of those words are equally important, 3 John 1:8.
All have a “work” to do, and when we work “together” we can accomplish so much more. Also, the fellowship that is initiated can help us to “love one another” more than ever, John 13:34-35. Workers! We need all we can get – are you ready to go to work? We need you!
- When we talk about building a church building we realize that we need workers, but not just people with a hammer and nails. We need capable, skilled workers. If not, much of the work may have to be repeated. So it is with workers in the kingdom of God. Being a worker in the kingdom of God, the church of God, demands a working knowledge of His word. How can we build “according to the pattern” if we are not familiar with the pattern? Daily study of the Bible should be common practice among God’s people. Christians in the city of Berea were aware of the need to know His word so they could not be deceived by what Jesus called “false prophets”, Matthew 7:15-16. So they “searched the scriptures daily” to make sure they knew the truth and lived in harmony with the truth, Acts 17:11. Yes, we need workers – skilled workers in His church.
- This church we are building also needs those who will be overseers, men who make sure things are done right, right according to the word of God, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Titus 1:5-9. These men were called “bishops” or “elders”, terms implying age and experience, with skills to watch over the work and the best interests of the members of His church. Deacons are authorized and assigned to serve His church. They follow the instructions of the Bible and are under the direction and oversight of the elders. There is much work to do – let’s get busy building up this church, this church of Christ
Carl B Garner
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We are labourers together with God…as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon…other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
You call me the Way and walk not,
You call me Life and desire me not,
You call me Wise and follow me not,
You call me Fair and love me not,
You call me Rich and ask me not,
You call me Gracious and trust me not,
You call me Noble and serve me not,
You call me Mighty and honor me not,
You call me Just and fear me not,
If I condemn you, Blame Me Not
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God's Recipe
Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to allow these things?" Here is a wonderful explanation!
A daughter is telling her mother how everything is going wrong; she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.
Meanwhile, her mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake. "Here, have some cooking oil," her mother offers.
"Yuck," her daughter frowned when she replied.
"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Mom, those are all yucky!" To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
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