Pastor Granillo: God’s Abode

By Pastor RAUL GRANILLO
Los Alamos

“One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organization do not constitute a church any more than eleven dead men make a football team. The first requisite is life, always.” A.W. Tozer

It may be cliché to say “The Church is not composed of a building, it is composed of people.” It may be cliché, but it is absolutely true, and very easily it can be taken for granted. After all, there are plenty of distractions in the world that fight for our attention; and if we allow them to, they will turn us into institutions that are primarily concerned with doctrine, money, or political influence—none of which will bring any lasting life to the world.

Paul said, “And in him [Jesus] you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22 NIV). When he wrote this, he was addressing the unification of the Gentiles and the Jews under Jesus Christ. These two divergent groups of people were to become one by the blood of Jesus (v 15-16). The call was for unity, but there was a purpose for that unity, “to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

See, the presence of God is the difference in an institution and the Church. Wherever the Bible references God’s Spirit you will find Him bringing life. He does this literally and metaphorically, He does this through creation out of nothing, and resurrection from the dead. The Holy Spirit brings life in the form of breath, hope, truth, and light. Without the presence of God, the church is dead. Without the presence of God, the church is, at best, an institution. The world does not need more institutions, it needs lasting life!

So how are we, the members of the churches, helping to make our church a dwelling for God’s Spirit? How are we, as individuals, being built into this amazing Church that God uses to bring life? If God’s presence seems to be lacking in a place, could it simply be because His Church is not there. And if His Church is truly composed of Christians, then what excuse do we have for not being there?

The presence of God is the goal of the Christian. His presence is the only thing that makes us into authentic human beings with a genuine love for others. We would do well to constantly seek the presence of God in our own lives so that we can be built into the Church that brings His life giving presence into all the world. Holiness, it seems, matters!

To find out more about La Vista Church, or to hear this and other messages, visit our website at www.lavistanaz.org or email me at raul@lavistanaz.org. Follow Pastor Raul on Twitter @RaulGranillo007. Please come join us as we fix our eyes on Jesus. We meet Sundays at 9AM for Sunday school and 10AM for worship. Everyone is welcome.

 

LOS ALAMOS

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