What Is Church

Summary

The script explores the evolving concept of 'church' from a building to a community of believers. It challenges the traditional view of God being distant and accessible only through the church. Instead, it suggests God is present everywhere, working through all people. The church's role is to embody Jesus' teachings, engaging with the world as His hands and feet, making disciples, and loving neighbors.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The church is viewed by some as a physical building or institution that serves as a conduit to God.
• 🌟 Another perspective sees the church as a community of believers, with God being distant and worship conducted within the church building.
• 🌐 A shift in thinking suggests that God is not distant but present everywhere, working through all people.
• 📖 The role of the church is to be a community that reflects God's presence and is active in the world.
• 🌟 The Holy Spirit is active globally, guiding people to know Jesus, and the church is part of this divine work.
• 🚶‍♂️ The church is called to engage with the world, not just to attract people into its walls.
• 🤝 The church's mission includes interacting with neighbors and friends to share and learn about Jesus.
• 🏡 While physical buildings are necessary for gatherings, they are secondary to the church's role as a community on mission.
• 👫 The church is described as a 'gathered and sent' body, meant to embody Christ's love and service in the world.
• 📜 The Great Commission to 'Make Disciples of All Peoples' is a central directive for the church to actively participate in spreading the teachings of Jesus.

Q & A

What are some traditional views of the church mentioned in the transcript?

The traditional views of the church mentioned include seeing it as a building or institution where God is seen as being above, and people must enter the church to connect with God.

How does the speaker redefine the concept of the church?

The speaker redefines the church as a group of people, not just a building. The church is seen as the body of Christ, sent into the world to engage with others and reveal Jesus to them.

What is the significance of Jesus according to the speaker?

Jesus was sent by God to live among a specific group of people, the church, to reveal who God is and to be an example for how the church should live and interact with others.

What role does the Holy Spirit play in the speaker’s understanding of the church?

The Holy Spirit is described as being at work everywhere in the world, drawing people to know Jesus. The church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is called to go out and love their neighbors.

Why is the church called to 'go into the world' according to the speaker?

The church is called to go into the world to interact with others, help them learn about Jesus, and act as the hands and feet of Jesus by loving their neighbors and making disciples.

What is the role of church buildings in this redefined view of the church?

While church buildings are acknowledged as important for gathering, the emphasis is that the church is not confined to a building. The church is the people who gather and then are sent out into the world.

How does the speaker suggest the church should view its mission in the world?

The church's mission is to be the body of Christ in the world, reaching out to others, loving their neighbors, and making disciples rather than merely attracting people to a building or institution.

What does it mean to be the 'hands and feet' of Jesus in the world?

Being the 'hands and feet' of Jesus means acting as Jesus did—serving, loving, and engaging with others in the world, embodying His message and mission in everyday life.

How does this redefined view of the church challenge traditional ideas about worship?

It challenges the idea that worship is only about gathering in a building to praise God. Instead, it emphasizes that worship includes living out Christ’s teachings in daily life and interacting with others to spread the message of Jesus.

What does the speaker imply about the relationship between the church and the world?

The speaker implies that the church is not separate from the world but is meant to engage with it. God is already at work in the world, and the church is called to participate in that work by being active in the lives of others.