Matthew 16:13-19, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-20, Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 4:15, Colossians 1:18

Summary: Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and no one else (Matthew 16:13-19). We have strayed from what the Scriptures teach us about the church’s purpose and responsibilities and allowed the world and our opinions to take precedence over what we are to be and do.

When we hear the word “church,” most of us immediately think of a building or membership in a particular denomination, each with a standard of beliefs and guidelines for worship, order, Scripture, and sermons. The problem is that far too many people also see the church as a symbol of religious oppression, or that the idea of faith and belief have no place in a sophisticated society. Reason, logic, and the deity of science have allegedly made these things relics of a bygone “racist” “colonial” era, or whatever terms are relevant in the minds of a secular public.

Those of us who claim to follow Jesus Christ and the Bible have not helped, as there are too many tales of dissension, dislike, “church splits” over what ends up being trivial, or that one church in town has a bad habit of running off pastors. We then learned of cover-ups by denominational leaders concerning sexual abuse and other crimes that were never addressed and have only recently come to light. It is little wonder that our light and salt have become dim, burnt out altogether, and ending up totally unfit to bear the name of Christ (Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34).

If you have walked with the LORD for any length of time, you’re probably aware of these problems and troubles. Perhaps you might wonder what we are really to be and do as Jesus commands and expects. We need to return to the basics of the church’s origins and purpose defined in the word of God, and nothing else. The first issue to address is where the word “church” originated. It comes from the Greek term “EKKLESIA,” meaning “called out,” originally referring to a gathering of citizens to discuss the affairs of state. In the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures known as the Septuagint (LXX), it referred to “the gathering of the people of Israel, or what came to be known as the synagogue.

After the birth of the church, which was established through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, it was then empowered by the Holy Spirit to start its primary work of spreading the Gospel, beginning in the very city where Jesus had been put to death (Acts, Chapters 1-4). The “called out ones” (EKKLESIA) came to mean the whole company of “professed believers,” or those who had been redeemed in Christ (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:22, 5:23; Galatians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:5).

The verb “EK” or “out of” is a small verb of Greek grammar, yet it has a grand meaning and is worthy of our attention. We are “called out” by the Lord Jesus Christ to turn away from a life of sin and to come to Him for true rest and peace (Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:28-30, 14:6). When we come to Him, wretched and stained with sin and confess Him as Lord (Acts 4:12,16:32; Romans 10:9-10, 13), we become a member of His body, “called out” to serve Him and not allow the things of the world to draw us away from His will and direction (1John 2:15-17).

We are also “called out” from the deadness and formality of “religion” that the world tries to use to gain peace or appeasement of their particular deity, performing works that are futile and will not earn anyone true salvation that is offered by the Lord Jesus (Isaiah 53:6, 64:6: John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 16:31; Romans 5:9, 8:37-39; Ephesians 2:8-9). It’s interesting to know that the Greek term “TEREO” when used with the term “EK” means “KEPT OUT OF.” These two words are used in Revelation 3:10, where the Lord Jesus gives the faithful church at Philadelphia a promise of deliverance: “Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will KEEP YOU” (TEREO EK) from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell upon the earth” (NKJV).

So, what does this imply for us today? Are we going to be part of that promise as well, or do we continue to endure increasing hostility and trouble?

In his commentary on the book of Revelation and sermons dealing with the last days, the noted pastor and teacher John MacArthur declared this verse to be a “pre-tribulation rapture passage.” He, along with other like-minded pastors, teachers, and fellow believers, is convinced that this verse, in addition to John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, all refer to the prophetic event known as the Rapture of the church. This is the sudden “snatching up” of the true “called out ones” by the Lord Jesus Christ, both living and dead, to meet Him in the air, where we will be with Him for all time.

The Rapture could take place at any moment. Are you ready? Are you a true follower of Jesus Christ and part of the “called out” who have trusted in Him alone for salvation and the promise of eternal life? If not, the first step is to admit that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself. Then, believe with all your heart, soul, and mind that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God has raised Him from the dead. Finally, confess Him as Lord, trusting in Him alone to save you from your sins (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

When you do that, you become part of the “called out” body who will be with Him forever. You will be a citizen of the new heaven and earth He promised in accordance with the Scriptures (Revelation 21:1-17, Chapter 22). We want you to be part of the family, so what are you waiting for? The family reunion is about to get started, and for that I say, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.”

donaldwhitchard@gmail.com

www.realitycityreverend.com

My book The Scope of Biblical Prophecy is now available at: www.parsonsporch.com. It is a general look at the role and importance of Bible prophecy, the importance of correct interpretation of the Scriptures, the varied ways of how the last days events are to occur, and that in the end, Jesus wins.

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Donald was born and reared in the authentic “Cajun Country” of southern Louisiana. He is a graduate of Louisiana College (B.A. in History Education/ Biblical Studies, 1984), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. In Christian Education, 1994), and Andersonville Baptist Seminary (Doctor of Ministry, Biblical Exposition, 2000). He has been in the Gospel ministry since 1986, serving as an evangelist, interim and supply pastor, hospital and rescue mission chaplain, high school and college teacher, and pastor in churches in Louisiana and Oklahoma.

In 2018, he began to devote his time to the rich field of internet and social media evangelism and outreach. In 2021 he became a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, using his skills as a writer to contribute articles and sermons to websites such as Rapture Ready, Sermon Central, and Inspirational Christian Blogs. He also writes Bible studies and curricula for churches in southeast and central Asia and Africa, the locations of which are anonymous. He can be contacted at: donaldwhitchard@gmail.com for inquiries, information, and speaking/preaching engagements. A copy of his resume is also available upon request.

In light of some recent celebrity deaths, the subject of one’s personhood during their lifetime tends to come into focus. I admit that I often try to look up and find out what their religion, faith, and/or beliefs were in trying to assess the one of two places they may be spending their eternity.

Matthew 7:17-21 “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

Nine times out of ten, it becomes obvious that they lived a life without our Lord Jesus Christ in it. Basically, they were either their ‘own god’ or they believed in a false one. Perusing social media accounts can speak volumes. Last week, I was able to ascertain that one of these celebrities was into ‘Gaia Goddess/Mother Earth Worship,’ seemingly a form of white witchcraft. It is so sad to know that most people choose to ignore or reject Christ, refusing to see their ‘true depraved condition’ and thereby miss out on their only chance for salvation!

John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

A couple of months ago, I had a conversation with a lost person, and the topic of spirituality and beliefs came up. My stance was that my faith is in God’s Word, for without it, we have nothing, and how my husband and I make a point to read it every night. This person stated they ‘had their own faith’ and kept repeating that ‘it is all about being a good person.’ Unfortunately, it is common in this day and age to see many subscribe to New Age beliefs such as ‘Karma.’ A following or belief that by doing good deeds and actions, one can manipulate some sense of control in the outcome of their destiny and future.

(Street Evangelist, Author, and Brother in Christ) Ray Comfort has a profound YouTube Ministry Channel, which outlines countless of his interviews with people from all walks of life. Just about every time, the participants respond by saying ‘yes’ in thinking that they are a ‘good person’ when asked. Most of us, if we are honest, believe that too. That deep down, we are a ‘good person’ according to our self-righteous standards, all the while carelessly forgetting God’s Holy and Righteous ones!

The Most Self-Righteous Person You’ll Ever Meet

On that note, let us dive into the statement, ‘It is all about being a good person,’ shall we? According to the Bible, none are good, no not one, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Furthermore, it also states that all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Think about that for a moment; as good as we may think we are, as kind as we may try to be, and as many good things that we may try to do for others and for God, it all inevitably amounts to something such as ‘filthy, dirty, disgusting rags’!

Romans 3:10-12 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth. There is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

As Christians, we will be persecuted for righteousness’s sake, and sometimes people say that no matter how much we may read the Bible, it still does not make us a ‘good person.’ Guess what? They are right! We are not good people in and of ourselves; the only ‘good’ that is ever in us is the Lord Jesus Christ! He is our righteousness, and in Him we live, move, and have our being. Apart from Jesus, we can do no good thing! It is He who gives us the strength and the will to carry out the tasks that He has for us to do while here on this earth.

Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

We all know someone who may be precious to us but who also does not believe in Jesus or in the things of God, and it is disheartening, to say the least. The hard fact is that the only person we can truly control is ourselves and in what we choose to believe. We can pray for loved ones, friends, acquaintances, and even celebrities to come to a ‘true saving knowledge’ of Jesus Christ, and we should, often; but ultimately, it is between that person and God whether they will.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Bottom line: it has always been and will always be the Lord Jesus Christ and His Righteousness that purifies, perfects, and makes us worthy! Nothing we do can ever compare. May we never forget this simple yet profound Truth!

Romans 3:22 “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.”

Sincerely and in Christ,

Candy Austin