God's Provision: The Local Church

God Provision: The Local Church

Philippians 4:19

The Bible is crystal clear that God supplies all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

So everything that God has provided must meet a specific need.

If God established, purchased, and provided a local church for His people, what need does the local church meet in our lives?

The local church provides a place to belong because we need fellowship and encouragement on a regular basis.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.Acts 2:41

The local church provides a place where we discover the Truth because we live in a world of lies.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.Psalm 91:4

The local church provides a place of reflection because on a regular basis we forget the God who saved us.

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.1 Timothy 2:4-6

The local church provides a place of redirection because we quickly go our own way.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.Isaiah 53:5

The local church provides a place where we can see grace at work in our lives.

Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.Acts 11:23

The local church provides a place to grow in our faith and submission to God’s will.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.Romans 10:17

In the Gospel’s the focus of our attention is drawn to Jesus Christ. But from the book of Acts until the end of Scripture God uses the location of the believers as a place to equip and grow His people from a childlike faith into full grown action.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.Ephesians 4:11-16

The church is the chosen vehicle to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.Matthew 28:19-20

If the church is that important to the Lord Jesus shouldn’t it be important to us?

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.Acts 20:28

Find a local assembly of baptized believers who come together to praise, honor, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ and join them in their endeavor to reach the lost and encourage one another.

Remember that you will never grow to be the Christian God has called you to be without a local church to plant your life into as opposed to being a ‘part of’.

Purpose in your heart to center your life around the local church and you will never regret what God does in your life through the people, the pastor, and His Word.

Be careful not to allow the good things in life to take the place of the better things or you will never experience the best things. Prioritize spiritual things and God will fulfill your heart in ways you cannot imagine.

The misfortune of too many local churches is that members have become consumers instead of contributors.