Many mourned as they stood outside the Notre Dame Cathedral and watched it burn. This structure with its national and historical significance has stood for 850 years. During that time, it has found a place in the heart of the French people. Before the cost could even be evaluated, the French President vowed that it will be rebuilt. Several wealthy Paris families have already pledged 320 million dollars towards its restoration. The importance of this structure is evident.
This concern for a religious structure gave me reason to think. Would we be as concerned as the French people at the burning of a national treasure if we thought that the Lord’s church was in danger? It must first be stated that the church as a whole will never have a victor over it. “The gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matt. 16:18). However, a local congregation of the Lord’s church can have destructive forces come in “like savage wolves” (Acts 20:29-30). We need to see the importance of Christ’s church.
The church is a divine institution founded by Christ (Matt. 16:18). Jesus is the head of it (Col 1:18). It is directed and governed by God. It is the spiritual body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23; Rom. 12: 4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-31). It is the body of people who believe in the Lord, have repented, have been scripturally baptized into Christ, and thereby been added to His Church (Acts 2:37-47; Rom. 6: 3-5; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27). The church is divine by reason of purchase (Acts 20:28; Titus 2:14; 1 Cor. 6:19-20). The church was founded on Christ and the gospel. Christ promised the church that was planned before the world began (Luke 24: 46-48; Acts 1:3-4, 8; Eph. 3:8-11). The gospel produces the church (Luke 8:11; Acts 2: 21-36). The church is the household of God (1 Tim. 3:15). God is the Father (Eph. 4:6). We are His children (1 John 3: 1-2). We are heirs of God, our Father, when we are born into the family (Rom. 8:15-17; John 3:5). The church is the Kingdom of God and heaven. Christ is King (Col. 1:13). We are fellow citizens (Eph. 2:19). The church is the Bride of Christ. He is the Head and Savior (Eph. 5: 23-32).
The church Jesus built is not what many believe it to be. It is not a man-made institution. It is not a sect or denomination (1 Cor 1:10-13; 3:16-17). It is not one among many that a person chooses to join. It is a not a social club that we go to for the activities and programs (Rom. 14:17). We must see to it that we don’t bring into the precious church any of these ideas. We must protect it from division (1 Cor. 12:25). We must not introduce any false teaching (Acts 20:30) We should behave ourselves in such a way as not to be that spark that would ignite so much turmoil in the Lord’s church.