OCTOBER 12, 2012
A
Working Church
Read: Revelation 2:1-7
We give
thanks to God always for you all, . . . remembering without ceasing
your work
of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. —1
Thessalonians 1:2-3
My
wife, Shirley, and I enjoyed a cruise along the fjords of Norway
in celebration
of our 50th wedding anniversary. As we journeyed
northward, we stopped in
numerous towns and villages, often
visiting churches. Among them was a
12th-century church that
our guide described proudly as “still a working
church.” I asked,
“What do you mean?” She referred to the days of the state
church,
when the state-appointed pastors simply collected their paychecks
but
no one attended the services. But this church had been faithfully
holding
worship services and actively serving the Lord for almost
1,000 years!
I
immediately thought of the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3
to whom Jesus
said, “I know your works” (2:2,9,13,19; 3:1,8,15).
In addition, the church of
Thessalonica was commended by the
apostle Paul for its “work of faith, labor of
love, and patience of
hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:3).
I
also thought of my church at home. For more than 130 years it
has been faithful
in preaching and caring for its congregation and
community. It is truly a
“working church.” What a privilege we have
if we’re part of a local body of
believers where we can grow and
serve our Lord!
Lord, thank You for placing us into Your family and
giving us the privilege and responsibility to serve
You through our churches. May we be a shining light
of Your love to our communities and the world.
The church is a living body and must have working parts.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
