From Pastor Tommy Thompson

Mat 16:13  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mat 16:14  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Mat 16:15  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 16:18  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.
Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

As many of us are aware, understanding what the church IS and DOES has become quite confusing in the 21st century.  Just when you think  you’ve seen just about everything there is to see, you read an article about a “church” opening a tattoo parlor inside the buildings to reach the community.  Today we have the relevant church, the seeker-sensitive church, the emerging church, the progressive church, and the online church. There’s even a church called “The No Name Church” in our city that meets at different parks each week and the pastor preaches in a t-shirt and shorts.

With so many different man-made variations that exist today, can we even find a local, New Testament church, that has its foundation in the Scripture and Christ as its Head?  I mean a church that is operating according to the principles set forth by its founder, the Lord Jesus Christ and not by the vain imaginations of man.

Well, I am glad to report that there are still many wonderful local, New Testament churches that are doing God’s work, God’s way.  I am thankful to pastor such a church, Grace Baptist Temple, that was not only established on Biblical principles of preaching, baptizing, and discipling, but has continued in these principles over the years.

I remember several years back I saw an advertisement for a conference in Texas called the “Creative Conference”.  The whole conference was geared toward being creative in ministry and coming up with “new” ways to “reach” people.  I use quotations because they are really more interested in entertaining people.  This is crux of the issue!  JESUS NEVER GAVE US THE AUTHORITY TO RECREATE THE CHURCH, HE ONLY GAVE US THE AUTHORITY TO PROCREATE THE CHURCH! Jesus did not leave the church up to our interpretation or imagination.

1. JESUS GAVE THE CHURCH ITS PURPOSE- Matt 28:18-20 reveals the church’s purpose.  It is to preach the Gospel, baptize the believer, and disciple the believer into spiritual maturity.
2. JESUS GAVE THE CHURCH ITS PRINCIPLES- Again, Matt 28 and 1 Cor. 1 teaches us that God uses the preaching of His Word to save the lost, not music, not drama, not dancing, not changing the atmosphere or environment inside a building.  All of these things evoke the emotions and flesh and are man-centered, not God-centered.
3. JESUS GAVE THE CHURCH ITS POWER-  Acts 1:8 teaches us that the work of God can only be carried out in the power of His Holy Spirit.  I think that there’s a lot to be said about this simple truth.  I am convinced that most of the activity and creativity that we see in many “churches” today is simply an attempt to substitute the power of the Holy Spirit.

At Grace this year, our goal is not to recreate our church, but to reintroduce our people and our community to a church that is STILL CHURCH.  Too unashamedly proclaim to our city that there is still a local, New Testament church that exists for the purpose for which Christ found it and operates the way Christ intended for it.  I hope that if you a pastor reading this, you will commit yourself to these principles.  I am not saying there is no room for creativity in ministry.  I am saying there must be some parameters, otherwise you too might consider a tattoo parlor.  If you are a church member, I pray that you will encourage your pastor and pray for him to remain faithful to God’s Word and the ministry of the Gospel.

I will be leading our church through an exhaustive study this year entitled, “THE CHURCH That Jesus Built”.  We will be looking to God’s Word to recommit ourselves to being a local, New Testament church that will please and be used of God in the years to come.