Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Happy Sunday, Fishing Stagers and guests! Last week we finished our series on “Our Daily Walk With Jesus”. Today we are beginning a new series titled “The Church - What, Why, and How?” Over the next several weeks, we will try to “unpack” WHAT “The Church” IS, WHY we need it, and HOW each one of us can be a part of it. I’m NOT talking about JOINING or signing a membership card with any particular church ! Just sayin’.
(More on this in weeks to come)

There are many reasons for going to church - probably almost as many as there are people who go!
From what I’ve heard, there may be just as many reasons/excuses for NOT going.
Each church usually has their own “Mission Statement”, which briefly tells what their purpose is, but very few are exactly the same. There is a wide variety of churches, beliefs, and denominations, and also many different ministries mentioned in the Bible that need to be filled.

Starting next Sunday, we will begin looking at specific reasons WHY people go, or DON’T go to church, as told by them, to me. I would really encourage those who are interested, to add YOUR reasons why YOU go, or not go, to church.

When we are through discussing the “WHY” part, we’ll move on to the “HOW”, where we’ll find out how every person can be a part of this thing called “The Church”. As I said earlier, I’m not talking about any specific church or denomination.

For today, we are going to just talk about, and try to answer the question, “What is ‘The Church’?”
According to the Bible, “The Church” is not actually a building.
The Greek word used in the New Testament (translated as church) is
ekklesia, which means “an assembly”. In Old Testament Hebrew, the word for church was “kahal”, which means “the called out ones”. So we see the simple definition of “The Church”, in the Bible is “an assembly/group of believers”, also referred to at times as, “the body of Christ”. So, “The Church” is really flesh and blood, soul and spirit - not bricks and mortar or steeples and stained glass! We, as Christians, ARE the church!

When Jesus was on earth, much of His teaching and miracles were done in places other than at a Synagogue. (Jewish place of gathering) His twelve followers/Disciples went where He went, and as they traveled around, more and more joined them. By the time Jesus left and went back to Heaven, their number had grown to one hundred twenty. Then on the Day of Pentecost, when Peter preached and the Holy Spirit arrived, as Jesus had promised before He left, another three thousand people were added to “The Church” - or “assembly of believers”. This event also confirmed what Jesus had told Peter in the Book of Matthew:

“Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the past eight months of devotions, I have used several videos of Pastor Allen Jackson, from World Outreach Church in Tennessee. I have never actually been to their church, but have watched hundreds of his messages on TV over the last 3-4 years, and believe he ALWAYS preaches/teaches the truth, as it is written in the Bible. As such, I will continue to include his videos ( as well as those by other reputable ministers) whenever applicable, like today - it’s a perfect introduction to this new series. It is short (27-1/2 minutes), yet describes what “The Church” means, and also what the Bible teaches is the general purposes of the church. He also gives the “Mission” of their particular church, and touches on the “why” aspect of going to church. I just happen to agree with their Mission Statement, as an excellent reason for church.
If you have followed some of my previous devotions, and/or watched Pastor Allen’s videos, you know he is very straightforward, but also QUITE HUMOROUS in his teachings.
Expect more of the same! 😃
Like I’ve said before, if you are not watching the videos, you are missing the best part…

Thank you for reading/watching, and may God bless you all. 🙏🏻

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L80ex4w9N50

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Thanks Randy and excellent timing as I sit here early reading the stage after sleeping in and missing the 7am service this morning.

I will be listening to the video later today and receive the good word that way.

troyfrd1 Loc: Hampstead,NC

Great post Randy. I go because I need a word. Fellowship and the gatheyog Saints.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Thanks, Bob.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Thank you, Troy.
I appreciate the response on the question. 👍

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Another good video by Pastor Jackson again Randy. Follow ups in the weeks to come going to be interesting. Really liked his take on what to do with a growing congregation.

As for me going to church it is my go to place that I feel most comfortable expressing my Thanks for the past week, request for the upcoming days ahead and that special one on one feeling I get while praying .

Sure I could do that sitting here in a quiet room or out on the water from my yak because just like God, I feel his church is everywhere.

However, being in his house just seems like the place to be.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Thanks for your comments, Bob!
Yeah, Allen’s one “remedy” for a full church (the sign) was so funny and unexpected, Myrna and I both almost fell out of our recliners laughing!
He is SO funny!
I love to listen to him. I won’t “give away” anything in the upcoming devotions, but I think they WILL be interesting, at the least. From my own experience, I would suggest (steel toed) shoes, just to be safe… 🤣 just sayin’
I’ve never been one to “beat around the bush”. 🥴

MuskyJohn Loc: Benton Harbor, MI

Thank you for your comments!
I go because I have to go. I believe that it is the most important thing that I do. And, of course, I miss from time to time and have to watch online.
I live in Michigan and still attend the church I was raised in. A very good non denominational Bible based church.
It has always been my church home here.
I spend a fair amount of time Musky fishing in Northern Wisconsin. I recently was told about an amazing church up there. So, I have been there probably 4 times so far. Another Musky fishing family told me about it, which saved me the time in having to check out each church in the area.
When I walked into that church, I was thinking, "The poor people have no idea who just walked into their small church."
I was thinking that way because I am probably the world's foremost "conversationalist". I talk way too much.
But they have a meal after service every Sunday. And I realized that the entire church is exactly like me.
The church here, at one point in the service, they say to greet those around you, which is generally 3 to 6 people in your area of the church.
Up there, they take and intermission and pretty much everyone greets everyone.
It is hard to remember the names, but I do my best.

It can be hard to get a word in edgewise with that many people that love to talk.

But such a cool place. A church filled with like minded people and a whole lot of Musky fisherpeople.

Church is very important and more important today than at any time, in my life, with the craziness in the world today. High crime rates, disrespectful people everywhere, etc.
I could talk all day on that.
But I'll spare you.

See you at church.

God Bless.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Good afternoon, John! Thank you for responding to my question; I am hoping to get a lot of responses to this particular devotion, but I also welcome those who read and watch any of these
devotions, to respond or ask questions anytime.
Don’t worry about being one who likes to talk; communicating is a good thing, for the most part.
A former Pastor of mine came from Ann Arbor, Mi. where his Dad pastored a church for years. That was about 42 years ago. He married my wife and I almost 41 years ago, then several years after that, went back to his dad’s church to take over as Pastor when his dad retired. I believe he’s now somewhere in Missouri, but not sure where. Anyway… it’s nice to “meet” you, and hope to hear from you again. I can’t remember reading any of your posts, but probably have. I’ve been on here awhile! God bless you, and I hope you enjoy, and are blessed by my devotions. 🙏🏻

Mikeldean Loc: North Augusta SC

Although raised in church, I took it for granted for way to many years. I believe that you cannot reach the fullness of God's plan for you outside of belonging to a local church community.

God bless and great to see every means possible being used to proclaim the name of Christ to a lost world.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

John, I meant to tell you, the church I’m most recently from, is a Cowboy Church. We also practiced the same “intermission” time,
after worship and prayer, and before the message. We spent about 15-20 minutes greeting people and having a quick “breakfast” which the youth furnished; along with donuts and stuff that members of our congregation brought. My wife, Myrna, and I helped plant the church about 15 years ago, and I was the Worship Leader” for the first 12 years.(until Covid) Well… enough about me!
I’ll talk to you later.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Thank you so much for your response, Mikeldean! I totally agree with you, brother. In fact, you just stole ( almost word for word) part of a devotion that’s coming up in a couple weeks here!
😃 That’s fine - great minds think alike! 🥴
God bless you! 🙏🏻

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Randy, google the former pastors name and you might come up with a general idea where he may be.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Thanks, Bob; I’ll do that. 👍

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

We found him, Bob.
He’s in Fulton, Mo.
Myrna found him on Facebook, and I found him on Google. Recently retired as Senior Pastor of Victory Fellowship. She even found a nine year old pic of he and his wife. 👍