Bethel Church-Jackson

Are you participating in church this morning? There are ages to come, but the church is God’s plan for our age. The local church is the hope of the world.

It is popular to criticize the church and church people. Pastors are fair game, too. Let’s be honest we could all tell our “scary church stories…” We have all known leaders who fell short of their high calling, but still it is true that “Like a mighty army moves the church of God…”

C. S. Lewis in Screwtape Letters imagines a correspondence between demons warning not to let people see the church as it really is…

“One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see her spread but through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners.”

The old demon encourages the young demon to tempt the person he is tormenting with the silliness or imperfections of the people around him in church. Demons are still working the same angle today, but the church before God is like a mighty army of God in spiritual reality.

The church is God’s plan for this age. She is the temple of the Living God in our day. The church is the place and people of his glory/presence. The local church is the hope of the world, even in it’s simplest and most organic expression.

Rise up Oh Church of God, have done with lesser things. Give heart and soul and strength and might to serve the King of Kings!