Like a deer in headlights the Church has been caught by surprise by the coronavirus. Now most are closed down just like other nonessential businesses.
Can you believe that the Church is considered a nonessential "entity" in our society today?
The bible says that "judgment" begins at the house of the LORD. Why would the Church (Body of Christ) be under a test or trial? Paul says in Ephesians 4:12, "Jesus gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers." Yet, we rarely see this kind of operation in 21st century churches. The role of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher is to equip believers for the work of the ministry. They are to be an asset to the Church. They are to build up the Body of Christ until "we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God." They are to work together in tandem so that the Church is never caught by surprise.
However, the Church has shut down the prophetic voices. The Church has rejected and kicked out the prophets. The Church has not raised a generation of evangelists or teachers; they simply install pastors. While pastors are definitely needed in the Church, God gave the Church many more gifts that have been denied and cast aside.
Joseph had a prophetic voice even when he didn't know it. Yet, his brothers rejected him and treated him cruelly because he was his father's favorite. They cared little for Joseph's dreams and decided to get rid of him. They were unaware that Joseph was God's gift to Israel. After much suffering and trying circumstances Joseph was called out of prison. His God-given gift of dream interpretation advanced him to be Pharaoh's right hand man. You see, God had a plan to save Israel.
When Joseph's brothers came to Egypt to get bread they didn't recognize him. Joseph wasn't quite sure if their hearts had changed toward him. Yet, his was still the same. He loved them with an unquenchable love. But, could he trust them? Once he tested his brother's integrity, Joseph revealed himself with many tears. Although initially his brothers were fearful, Joseph reassured them that he wasn't upset with their plan for evil toward him because ultimately it was God's plan for favor and protection towards his people that was accomplished. (Genesis 45).
Without a doubt, the Church needs the 5-fold ministry gifts as well as the many other gifts He has placed there. Philip the evangelist had a great mission that saved an Ethiopian eunuch on the road. Apostles went out to preach and oversee churches. Pastors comforted and cared for the sheep. Teachers were trained to feed the flock of God. Why would God warn us about false prophets and teachers unless there were "true" ones that exist as well?
In Corinthians it tells us that the Body has many parts and one cannot say to the other we don't need you. God formed us to work together not for man's success, but for God's glory. This crisis has taught us that the Church is more than a building. Jesus said that "the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. So, we know the Church will rise again, and we will assemble once more. Perhaps, however the Church needs to repent, too. God never meant for His Church to be caught by surprise.
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