“What I Love about the Church” by Weylan Deaver, Guest Writer

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Sep 1, 2010 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

What I Love About the Church

By Weylan Deaver

Jesus loved the church enough to die for her (Eph. 5:25). His was a love demonstrated. But love for the church is also demanded when an apostle writes, “love the brotherhood” (1 Pet. 2:17, ESV). Thankfully, for those who love the Lord, loving the church is not hard to do, and there are many reasons that make it a joy. Here are a handful on my list.

Its Past

I love the church because of its past. The church existed perfectly in the mind of God before earth was created (Eph. 3:10-11). Then it existed prophetically from the lips and pens of Old Testament and, later, New Testament preachers (Dan. 2:44; Matt. 10:7). Finally, it existed personally in the hearts of saints after its auspicious beginning on Pentecost following the resurrection (Luke 17:21; Acts 2:47). No church has the pedigree of the Lord’s church. Catholicism evolved as men adopted non-apostolic practices. Later, Protestant denominations sprang up as men sought to reform corrupted religion; yet, they ended up in the same place, with human hierarchies, human creeds, human confessions of faith. In the church of Christ, our past is thrilling, heart-wrenching, and glorious, but nothing to be compared with the glories yet to come!

Its Pattern

I love the church because of its pattern. Paul’s directive to Timothy is apropos as ever: “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me” (2 Tim. 1:13). The sound words are what constitute the Bible (John 17:17). The pattern-nature of the New Testament inheres in the nature of its Source, which is God (i.e. the ultimate Authority). Paul was grateful the Christians in Rome had obeyed “the standard of teaching to which you were committed” (Rom. 6:17). That pattern of teaching—the Bible—never changes with the clock, climate, culture, custom, or country. In answer to life’s greatest questions, we do not reach for a creed book. We do not consult the clergy or a synod. We only need go to the Scriptures. “Pattern” is not a dirty word, though many belittle the concept. But sticking with the pattern is what has kept the church of Christ distinct. To the degree we compromise on baptism, adopt instrumental music, tamper with Sunday observance of the Lord’s Supper, endorse denominations, etc., we abandon “the pattern of the sound words,” and that to our own demise.

Its Purity

I love the church because of its purity. The church is to be “without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27). Though we live in a moral cesspool, we are still expected to practice “pure religion” (Jas. 1:27). Paul described several who are not going to heaven, including those who engage in pre-marital sex or extra-marital sex, homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunks, etc. (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Paul indicts his readers as having once practiced such wickedness, but now they were “washed…sanctified…justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” Purity is possible when we contact Jesus’ blood at the time we are washed in baptism for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:1-4; 1 Pet. 3:21). When the church practices purity, we stand out in stark contrast to a dark and sinful world. We dress differently. We talk differently. We treat marriage differently. “Therefore go out from their midst and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you” (2 Cor. 6:17).

Its People

I love the church because of its people. As Jesus put it, “you are the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). There’s something about a meal with Christians that is missing at a business lunch. There’s something about Christians lifting their voices in song, praising God, that cannot be duplicated in a group of worldly folk. There’s a kinship expressed when Christians hug or shake hands that is absent elsewhere. What Christians have that others don’t is Christ, and he makes all the difference. Rather than consort with the dregs of society, give me the “salt of the earth.” The finest people I know are members of the church of Christ, and I have been blessed all my life to associate with the “salt of the earth.” Barbra Streisand sang about “people who need people.” Well, there are no people like Christian people, and they are the most needed of all!

Its Purpose

I love the church because of its purpose. We glorify God by submitting to his gospel, proclaiming his word, worshiping in Spirit and truth. Our purpose is God’s purpose. Our goals are God’s goals, and they center around the salvation of souls (John 3:16). Society is full of organizations. Some have noble purposes. Some have wicked purposes. Some have trivial purposes. But only one organization has eternal purpose, with a mission solely tied to saving souls. That divine organization is the church, bought with blood (Acts 20:28), and which will ultimately be saved by Jesus (Eph. 5:23). And, while many groups concentrate on perceived problems in the here and now, our focus is “on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2). No purpose is nobler, no mission more magnificent. Truly, the church of Christ is different because of its past, its pattern, its purity, its people, and its purpose. These afford us no shortage of reasons to love it. Do you?

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About Weylan Deaver:

Weylan is a graduate of the Southwest School of Bible Studies, Freed-Hardeman University (B.A.), and Bear Valley Bible Institute (M.B.S.). He preaches for the Sherman Drive congregation in Denton, Texas and teaches in the distance learning program of Tennessee Bible College. He and his wife, Cheri, have four homeschooled children. Weylan enjoys hunting and songwriting.

Be sure to check out Weylan’s website at: http://wdeaver.wordpress.com/

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Personal Note:

I thank Weylan for taking part in our “What I Love about the Church” series. As you read Weylan’s words, let them challenge you and inspire you to share the church with others. I appreciate Weylan’s writings from his website and his short words while following him on Twitter.

Thanks Weylan!

Chris