Sorry, my Foot's at Home on the Couch

I posted a Twitter micro-blog over the weekend, which generated a question, so I thought I'd address it here. This was my Tweet:

Do you believe the Bible? Then church is where you should be (choose based on Biblical truths being taught, not denom).

Then I added a link that pointed to the following scripture:

Hebrews 10:25 (CEV)
Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer.

Someone read the tweet and responded: "Where does Bible say to be in church? I read that God doesn't dwell in Temples made with hands."

First thing's first. The scripture they mention is not a reference to church or to the body of believers. The scripture is from 2 Corinthians 5:1, which does indeed mention "... an house not made with hands". But the scripture refers to the human body (tabernacle), and that if the tabernacle (human body) "were dissolved", the resurrection body "eternal in the heavens" would be our dwelling place. The Contemporary English Version clarifies this very nicely:

2 Corinthians 5:1-2 (CEV) - Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home.

So when I spoke of church in my tweet, I was referring to the body of Christ, the assembly of the saints, those called to "go and tell" the gospel.

Romans 12:4-5 (CEV) - A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.

Which brings me to the (albeit humorous) blog topic. We are all one body in Christ Jesus, yet if some members of the body forsake (deliberately turn away from) the assembling together as that body in worship, then we are less of a body, and therefore less effective.

Romans 10:13-17 (MSG) - Everyone who calls, 'Help, God!' gets help. But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? ... The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ's Word is preached, there's nothing to listen to.

And no, the television, gospel radio, and internet streaming sermons are NOT substitutes for assembling. They are ways to OBSERVE, but none of them allows CONTRIBUTION on your part. Basically, you're "all take and no give", if these are your primary means of staying spiritually connected. And when left to his own, man will invariably stray. God speaks through the prophet Jeremiah in describing this sad situation.

Jeremiah 50:6 (KJV) - My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.

Lord, help us to remember that we are connected, one to another, within the body of Christ. I need others just as much as they need me, because we are all of one purpose, and together we strengthen each other. Alone, we're just sheep, just prey for the enemy. Keep us together in worship of you and love for one another, Lord. Keep us connected.

Amen

© 2009 Scotty Ward