The Church of the Living God (Pt. 3) - The Believer’s Relationship with the Church

Scriptural Anchors

• 1 Timothy 3:14-15

• 1 Corinthians 11:27-35

God’s word is two-edged, revealing both blessing and judgement. In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira faced immediate judgment for dishonoring a sacred practice in the church, while in the same early church, extraordinary miracles like angelic deliverance and Philip’s supernatural transportation served as signs of God’s favor on their alignment with Him. These events demonstrate the dual nature of God’s word: it affirms what aligns with Him while exposing and correcting what does not.

Similarly, in Exodus 40, when Moses completed the Tabernacle according to God’s exact specifications, God’s glory filled it as a mark of approval, making it hallowed. Yet, the same glory that marked approval also created reverence—they could no longer enter carelessly. Today, when we gather in unity and honor Christ, His presence is both a source of blessing and a call to reverence. In such an environment, healing, deliverance, and transformation flow naturally, but only when we align with His holy standard. The two-edged nature of God’s word reminds us that His love and judgment work together to sanctify His people and uphold His glory. So how do we fall on the positive side of this?

Discern Accurately

Whatever we haven’t discerned accurately, we can never respond to correctly. If we don’t understand something properly, even if it’s a spiritual matter, our response or relationship with it will be flawed.

For example, in the Bible, when Jesus visited Nazareth, they saw Him as the carpenter's son, not as the prophet He truly was. Because they didn’t discern Him correctly, they missed out on the mighty works He could have performed there. The Bible says He could do no mighty works there because they did not discern Him as anything more than the son of Mary. If they had understood that He was more than just the carpenter's son, they would have received more from Him. The same is true for us—our discernment impacts everything. If we don’t understand something deeply, our relationship with it is off.

Many people only see the church as a social gathering, missing the deeper spiritual connection. Some might come to church only when they’ve lost their job, hoping to network or find a new job. If we discern the church as just a place for social benefit or networking, we miss the deeper purpose. If we understand the church as an extension of heaven, a place where anything possible in heaven is possible, our experience changes. We’ll approach the church with expectation and reverence, knowing that we are in the presence of something divine. If we discern the church properly, our behavior will align with that understanding, and we won’t act carelessly. When we recognize the church as the house of God, an embassy of heaven, we’ll approach it differently, expecting to be transformed.

Be Planted and Contribute

Our primary relationship with the church should be one of being planted. Being planted means being consistently involved, not just casually attending. The Bible says that those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish. Being planted means we don’t uproot ourselves after a short time, but commit to one place for growth. If we keep switching, we may look like we’re growing, but we’re only stunted compared to those who stay rooted. Just like a tree in good soil, we need to be firmly rooted in the body of Christ to grow spiritually. Our connection to the church is essential for our spiritual health. If we don’t plant ourselves in the church, we miss out on spiritual flourishing.

Secondly, we must play our part. The church is a collective, and we each bring something valuable—our prayers, our energy, our faith, and our joy. We need to bring our spiritual substance, not just come to receive. We can’t just show up cold; we should come prepared to contribute—whether it's through our fire, our enthusiasm, or our faith. When we all bring our best, the collective experience is exponentially greater. Being intentional about our participation, bringing our best, and contributing to the community helps everyone grow. The church isn't just a place to receive; it's a place where we play an active role in building the spiritual atmosphere. If we come to church expecting to give, to bring energy and joy, then we create a space where everyone can thrive and also have their needs met.

If we approach the church with these perspectives—discernment, planting, and participation—our spiritual lives can thrive, and we will experience the full potential of what the church is meant to be.