Back to the Basics- What is the church?

We have been having "home church" for the past 3 years. We made that decision to do the home church following some security issues and some leadership issues in our local church.  The lord resolved the leadership issue so We recently went back to church about a month ago after our friends John and Joyce Mugo were installed as Pastors. I really appreciate how both of them are using this time as a focus of how should the church look- by looking in the Bible for the definition. In the picture below John is holding up a extra thick yogurt container and asked all of us what was inside. He then asked us why we came to that conclusion. It looked like the seal was still firmly attached so I had guessed there was indeed thick yogurt inside. He asked me and two others to come up and see what was inside. When he pulled back the seal it was filled with dirt. He went on to explain that when we think of church we usually think of the building or the programs that run, or the alter and giving offering. We have a picture in our minds of what the appearance of a church should look like.  In Matthew 16:18 Jesus is talking to Simon Peter and says,

"Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock') and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the power of hell will not conquer it."

In 1 Peter 2:4-5 "You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple. What's more, you are His holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God."

We as individuals make up the church. Each of us adds a different part that is needed. I know there is a body of believers here locally in my town and we all need to each other. We all have different gifts that can be so effective if we work together.  It is mind boggling to think of the church that is spread out throughout the world. Each of us is living for Christ in the midst the struggles that the country is facing. Choosing to live separate from what the world has to offer. One day we will all be together. My friend Casey Gilboys husband said these words a few weeks ago: 

Church is not a restaurant where you come to be served, church is not a movie theater where you walk away critiquing what you watched, it's not a gas station where you only stop by when you're on empty, and it's not a gym where you see only fit and strong people go. It's a place for us as broken people to come together, serve one another, work through our differences, grow in Christ, and share Jesus with the lost and hurting. 

  There are so many misconceptions of what the church is. For now I am looking forward to Sundays as we are back to the basics of what is the Church.

John holding up the yogurt container.

Although we are very few attending church right now, we are soaking in the Word of God.

Joyce teaching Sunday School.

My girls really getting into the songs.