Love for the Church

Background Scripture: Psalm 48; 1 Corinthians 12
Lesson Scripture: Psalm 48:1–14

Introduction

God has planned that those who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ will be gathered together for nurture and fellowship. Here His Word is taught so we can understand how to keep ourselves pure and live together in harmony. The ordinances are observed to help us remember what God has done for us. The church nurtures us so we can stay on the road to heaven. We love her because she gathers us together so we can enjoy a blessed life with a secure future.

Key Verse

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Rev. 21:2).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was the heart of life for God’s people. The cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night lingered over the tabernacle. Figuratively, God dwelt there among His children. When these symbols of God’s presence moved, His people took up the tabernacle and followed. When God spoke to them, His glory was evidenced in the tabernacle.

When the children of Israel settled in the promised land, they no longer needed to move God’s dwelling place, so they eventually built the temple. King David desired to build it, but God did not permit him because he was a man who had shed much blood. Though David was permitted to gather much of the material for the temple, his son Solomon was given the job to build it.

Jerusalem was likely located at the same site of the city formerly named Salem, where Melchisedec, to whom Abraham gave tithes, lived. It was already a fortress before the children of Israel conquered the land of Canaan. After it was taken by King David, it became the capital city of the Israelites and was where the temple was built. One of its three hills was called Zion. Some of the names for the temple came from these geographical places.

God’s people went up to the temple to offer many different types of sacrifices. This was also where the people gathered for their religious feasts. It was their center for worship; very likely they had gone there many times since their childhood. It was a place of rejoicing as well as where they celebrated their solemnities. The temple was greatly respected by every sincere Hebrew.

Psalm 48 begins with praises for the Lord. He is to be worshipped above all else. Even though the city and the temple were valued highly, they were only the place where the people came into the presence of God’s holiness to worship.

The temple was built on an elevation, making it visible from a distance. The worshipers had to “ascend into the hill of the Lord” (Ps. 24:3). The temple was “beautiful for situation.”

Zion was not only the city of David; it was the city of God, the great King and ruler of the universe. God is known in her palaces for a refuge. When the kings of Israel brought the threats of their enemies and laid them before the Lord, He gave them direction. He went before them, and they were victorious in battle. When God’s people were in His favor, the kings of the earth hasted away because they feared the power of the Lord.

When the Israelites recalled the miracles that God had wrought for them, they remembered His loving kindness. Even though they had been unfaithful at times, He forgave them when they repented. They had confidence in His righteousness and judgments.

As God’s chosen people looked over the city, they were comforted by seeing the towers where the watchmen were stationed to alert them to dangers from without or within. The walls and the beautiful palaces gave them security. As they shared their past experiences, it planted faith in their children. They had confidence that the Lord would be their God even unto death.

Psalm 137 gives this example of how God’s people felt about Jerusalem: “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy” (vv. 5–6).

Practical Truths for Today

In the key verse, John saw the holy city coming down from God out of heaven. Often that is thought of as occurring at the return of Christ. Perhaps it should be considered more as the origin of the church on earth, which was the conviction and teaching of our Anabaptist forefathers.1

We often hear the statement “our church” or “my church.” We are likely saying this because we have accepted this church for ourselves. Speaking of the church in a possessive way may suggest that men have fashioned her when in truth she is God’s church. He has designed her and has set in order her authority, her doctrine, her functions, and her mission. The church is God’s possession; He owns her. Those who are baptized and become members of the church could be likened to stones who are placed in the temple walls according to God’s pattern.

Throughout history, people have tried to take away from God’s plan, as well as attempted to add to it, wanting to remake the church to their own ideal, often not realizing that because of their error, they are no longer inside of her perimeters. “I am the Lord, I change not” (Mal. 3:6). Gratefully, there have always been those who, with humility and submission to God, have continued in the true faith. Jesus promised that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). From the third century until the eighteenth, the so-called Anabaptists or Mennonites, who have been known by different names through the centuries, have carried on the true faith. We enjoy the blessings of the church as we conform to God’s pattern. As we follow His plan, we clearly see the beauty and wisdom of His design.

The church is unlike any other organization. In 1 Corinthians 12, it is exemplified as a body—a living organism with Jesus as the head. The life of the body flows from the head to each member of the body. The members as living spiritual beings complement one another by sharing what God has given them. When one member suffers, all are affected. Each member contributes to the whole, and that member who is thought to be less honorable is bestowed with more abundant honor. Envy or emulation has no place in the church because each member has a particular work and value. There shall be no schism or division in the organism.

The New Testament says, “A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matt. 5:14), so the church is beautiful for situation. People of the world see her because of her high standards, and even though they do not appreciate the reproof to their lives, they have a deep regard for her. Much more so her members hold her in profound admiration.

We rejoice in God’s loving kindness toward His children. In His mercy He suffers long and is ready and willing to forgive the penitent sinner. He is a righteous Father, and we are thankful to be His sons and daughters.

As children of the King, we have a refuge in His kingdom despite the insecurities of life. Many of the apostles and our Anabaptist forefathers who suffered persecution and death gave their lives with joy because they knew they had joined an eternal kingdom as the psalmist said, “God will establish it forever.”

Sound teaching and pure doctrine are valuable gifts from God given to the church for our well-being. Carefulness in keeping the doors into the church is evidenced in the proving of converts so that all who are received by baptism have spiritual life. Church discipline helps those who have defiled themselves to be washed again in Jesus’s blood. Discipline also separates those who are unwilling to repent so that the body is kept undefiled. These all are very valuable for the spiritual prosperity of the church.

We are filled with wonder as we behold the church. We notice the towers, those places where God has placed watchmen to warn of the enemy’s approach and to observe and care for those that are within. We see the solid walls as the doctrine of truth placed as bulwarks to protect us. Our God is the One who has provided all this, and He will continue to guide and provide for our needs even until death. Jesus said, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20).

The New Testament teaches that the church is now God’s temple. “[You] are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:20–22). God dwells in His church, His Spirit directs her, and He empowers her. We think of the beauty of the temple in the Old Testament and the beautiful furnishings that held so much meaning. The church is likewise very beautiful and inspires us with love and admiration, not because of who we are but because of how God has designed her.

The church also functions as a mother to us. We are nourished and nurtured by her, and she cares for us when we are spiritually sick. She teaches us how to walk and grow spiritually. As we accept her love and care, we develop a heartfelt appreciation for her.

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy” (Ps. 107:1–2). “And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (vv. 7–8).

Questions

1. What causes a church member to think that the church is too restrictive?
2. Is it possible to love Jesus and not love His body, the church?
3. What is the fruit of my love for the church?
4. 1 For example, see Dietrich Philip Hand Book, pp. 400–407
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).