by Pastor John Boone
Last Sunday, we discussed the importance of being about the Father’s business as we anticipate the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus in these last days. What does it mean to be about the Father’s business? I believe it boils down to four things: Worshipping God, loving one another, serving others and sharing God’s love. That is what we are to be about as “the church”.
Acts recounts the beginning of the church 2,000 years ago. Following the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the church begins to function the way God designed. Notice how the four elements of being about the Father’s business are found within this passage, Acts 2:44-47:
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. (Serving others) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. (Worshipping God) They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Loving one another) And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Sharing God’s love).
Our methods of doing church have changed over the centuries, but the basic elements of “being” the church has not! When we lose any these attributes, we lose something of what God intended the church to be. God’s plan is for His church to be those who worship, love, serve and share! That’s what made the church the dynamic force that changed the world.
Jesus doesn’t need to prepare for His return. He is ready whenever the Father says “it is time.” However, Jesus is preparing His bride for His second coming by encouraging us to be ready because “our redemption draws near.” The way we do that is to return to our roots and “be” the church by being about the Father’s business. Jesus is coming soon for His bride! May He find us living like the first century church, concerned with worshipping Him, loving one another, serving the body and sharing His love. Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
