God's Recognition: What God Thinks Is What Matters

God’s ownership of the church is exemplified well in one of the more emotional portions of the new testament. Paul showed the Ephesian Christians a blameless example of the Lord himself. He loved them so much and they loved him, for he had brought to them the words of life. While parting from these believers, he knew he would never see them again in his mortal life. It was a time of thanksgiving, worship, many tears, and victory. As Paul was about to leave the Ephesian Christians, whom he had laid his life down for, he had a very solemn warning and commitment. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” ~ Acts 20:28-30
Consider how it must grieve and anger the Lord for anyone to attempt to take ownership of the church that he has purchased at the greatest cost. Even Paul, who had laboured and sacrificed his whole life for this church, would not dare take the ownership for it in his last words to these saints. His life and ambitions were completely set apart to the one who had purchased him. Yet prophetically, he could see that all men would not be as him. In some, just as in Satan, the selfish will would arise and they would try to take God’s church for themselves. It is a terrible end to which these are appointed.
I’m not one to judge mere semantics, but how do you expect the Father feels toward one who refers to the church as “my church”, with reference to ownership? Certainly, even if that man had put in a sacrifice comparable to that of the apostle Paul, even then he would not be commended. The time has come that we commit back to God his rightful possession, even at the risk of him tearing down what stubborn wills have built up. The true church was originated by God and still belongs to him.

Not only is the church God’s possession, but God is also the only one who determines when a group that is commonly referred to as “a church” is really a church or not. In the book of Revelation, Jesus actually writes letters to his churches in Asia addressing his concerns. In this passage, we discover that “the seven candlesticks are the seven churches” and that Jesus “walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks”. One who reads carefully will come to understand that a group’s identity as a church is established upon the presence of Jesus Christ alone. He threatens to those churches who presently deny his Lordship that they are to “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. ~ Revelation 2:5
Because the church was purchased by Jesus, with his own blood, he can make such threats. Even if the pastor won’t take his sign down...even if the building is still full, if the candlestick is not in it’s place, then there is not church. Perhaps this passage from Revelation will speak loudly to the church established by God, but now choosing carnal methods. Moreover, I pray this passage would make you consider the foundation of every religious work. Some vital questions to answer: Did God build this? Does God maintain this today? Don’t allow the answers to be shallow either. Many people seek the lowest common denominator when it comes to Christianity. Example: Does God maintain this today? “Well of course, if he didn’t our building would fall over, our piano would quit working, our preacher would get severe asthma and we wouldn't have all these new people coming to church." While it is true that God’s longsuffering permits even our smallest breath, this is not the maintenance of which I speak. I’m talking about the glorious presence of Jesus being with the saints. I’m talking about the same spirit of God that began the church flowing through us on a regular basis. By God maintaining the church, I mean he must be there...NOTICABLY.
God actually does wonderful things in his church. In fact, he takes responsibility for leading his people into every good work. Without him, we can do nothing. The Lord builds the church in a marvelous way. He provides people with different gifts. He calls to repentance. He inhabits our praises. The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. ~ Acts 2:47
I would challenge all who read this book to take the time to read the second and third chapters of Revelation. For the intentions and concerns our Lord had for these seven churches are the same concerns he has for us. I’ve often promoted the goal of “getting back to grassroots new testament Christianity”. I still think that would be a step in the right direction for America’s lukewarm Christianity; but it is not the goal. For even many of these first century churches were found to be backslidden in our Lord’s judgement. They had already let the devil slip in, particularly with the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitenes. These doctrines abound in christendom today and they disgust the Lord.
One of these doctrines, that of the Nicolaitanes, takes the ownership of the church away from God and puts it in the hands of man. Jesus says that this is a doctrine which he hates. A very serious matter it is, to having something in our midst that Jesus hates. Paul saw these doctrines coming into the church soon after it’s inception. Men (grievous wolves) were already making attempts to draw away disciples after themselves. This was going to occur from within the professing body of believers. Having a good profession is probably the only way to establish a following among God’s people. They wanted God’s people for themselves. These wolves desired to dominate and coerce God’s heritage for their own gain. Either seeking monetary leverage or dominance and influence, these enemies of God began to sneak in and make their way in “the ministry”. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly (self-gratification); and by good (biblical) words and fair speeches (sermons) deceive the hearts of the simple. ~ Romans 16:18
In the same manner as Hitler, they would put people underneath them; hence, the doctrine Nicolaitenes (the clergy over the laity). So what is so grieving to Paul about this authoritative structure? What would cause Jesus to say that he hates it? This doctrine takes the Lord’s bride away from him. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. ~ Col 1:18

And (God) hath put all things under his (Jesus) feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. ~ Eph 1:22-23

Notice that Paul referred to those Ephesian elders as men whom “the Holy Ghost had made overseers”. It’s not something imaginary for the Holy Spirit to make the decisions of the church or of our lives. In fact, it is recorded in scripture commonly. There is far too much self-promotion and congregational voting going on. The answer to the problem of churches not resembling what the Lord intended is not more bible schools, better theology, board meetings, plurality of elders, and dispersing duties. The answer is begging God to light a candle, and submitting wholeheartedly to his counsel, and watching him produce leaders who give Jesus the glory. He will raise up those who are afraid to touch the ark of God. There is no haphazard attitude of “We can do what we want with God” among those whom the Holy Spirit makes overseers. Using God to have an advantage over other people is an abomination in the sight of the Lord. Committing everything we possess and desire to the will of God is well pleasing in his sight.