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If you have known me for any length of time you know I have a policy about Heroes. Most of my Hero’s are dead because then they can not disappoint me. I learned that from one of my two heroes who is still living, Steve Brown. For today’s “blog” Comes from my second living Hero Several years ago he wrote for the Florida Baptist Witness and this is one of the best things that I have seen written on the church. It starts out with just how I feel about the church. In January of 1973 I came to know Jesus as my Personal Lord and Saviour. I can remember how excited I was. I went to every friend and neighbor that was on our block to tell them about what happened to me. That excitement lead to a relationship not just with Jesus but also His church. I have been honored to do many things in this life that I have loved and been honored to do. Made HUGE mistakes and miss-steps, along the way. In all that time there has been one constant in my life and that has been the “Local Church.” I was always excited about Sunday Morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night and Tuesday church visitation. Even in my teen years there was no place I would rather be except church. I had very few relationships outside the local church. In those years I was somewhat alone because what I wanted out of life surrounded the church. In fact all I ever wanted to do involved the church. I knew from the earliest days of my conversion that God and He alone called me to preach. Unworthy as I was and still am by the way. I healed on to a couple of things. The passage of scripture in Isah that says “Here am I send me.” and the fact that I know called me. I love to preach and I took to heart the scripture in Timothy that says “ Preach the word in season and out of season.” Now look at what Dr. Sullivan had to say about the church’s Glory.  He begins like this. “ The greatest experience of my life happened in the church house while the church was gathered or empty when I simply went to study and pray. I agree with Dr. Sullivan completely. I love the church and the buildings that house it.   Before commenting on the glory of the church that is reflected in this poetic imagery, let’s recall the theological and doctrinal implications of the church.

  1. There has always been people, a people of God, composed of those who had entered a covenant with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
  2. The church is composed of people, not things.  The Church is wherever people gather, for worship,evangelism,and praise. The building only houses the church. They do not constitute it.
  3. Jesus Christ is the head of the church. We as believers are a part of the body. We need to find our place and get with the program of service under His leadership.
  4. The church is the scattered and gathered.
  5. The church is militant (now) and totally victorious (future) 

All of these help comprise the glory of the church.We are part of something that is absolutely amazing! Fantastic! Marvelous! There is one word GLOTIOUS THAT CATCHES IT ALL. Over 20 years ago Dr. Sullivan shared this with the church of Florida and it is my belief that it is still prevalent today.Let’s share this with everyone and invite people to be a part of this family known as the body of Christ.

You think about that Amen