02.08.08

The Perfect Church

Unfortunately, the church of Jesus Christ here on earth will never be perfect until it gets to Glory.  A man once said to me, "Well, I'm not going to church.  There are too many hypocrites in the church.”  I wanted to say, “There is always room for one more".  Instead, I said, “Well you had better not go to hell then, because hell is full of hypocrites”.

Since local churches are made up of sinners saved by God's grace, no church is perfect but some churches are closer to the New Testament ideal than are others.  The church at Thessalonica was in that category.  Several times in First Thessalonians Paul gave thanks for this church and the way it had responded to his ministry. 

ü       (1:2)  “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.”

ü       (2:13)  “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”

ü       (3:9) “For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God.”

I just want you to know today that I am praying for you daily and in my prayers, I sincerely thank God for all of those attending SouthPoint Church.  I also thank God that I have the blessed privilege of serving this outstanding congregation.  There is no other place I would rather be and no other group of people I would rather serve than you.  What Paul said of the church in Thessalonica is true of you as well; I give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in my prayers.

Oh, I know you are not yet perfect and neither am I, but we are all working toward that goal, are we not?  More importantly, God is working toward that goal in our lives and in our church as well.  (Romans 8:29)  “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”

I sincerely hope you are praying for Vicki and me.  With the privilege of serving you, comes a humbling responsibility - one that I would never attempt without your prayers.  Please be faithful in your prayers, as I will endeavor to be in mine.

One day, when we arrive in Heaven, we will be a perfect church made up of perfect people.  Until then, “Let us go on to perfection”.  (Hebrews 11:6)

Have a blessed day.

Pastor David