Where Is The Heart Of The Church Today

Knowing Jesus is surpassingly valuable, and all the things the world has to offer are really nothing more than garbage.

"But whatever were gains to me

I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

What is more,

I consider everything a loss

because of the surpassing worth

of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,

for whose sake I have lost all things.

I consider them garbage,

that I may gain Christ."

Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV)

This holds true in our churches as well. Our focus should be on knowing Jesus and His Word; our ministries, our free time, and our money should be spent for the purpose of introducing others to this Great Treasure so they too can know Him as their personal Lord and Saviour.

"In Whom are hidden all the treasures

of wisdom and knowledge."

Colossians 2:3 (NIV)

The Bible says that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Most pastors and religious leaders are faithful to impress this principle upon the individual lives of their congregators, especially when tithing is low, but, hypocritically, they neglect to apply it to the corporate structure of their churches.

"For where your treasure is,

there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

All the material wealth we now see in many of our churches — the trendy and up-to-date programs and services designed to please, impress and entertain the congregators, the many highly-paid man-ordained ruling positions and the predominant titles that we must use in addressing these rulers — are really garbage compared to Jesus and His Word. When it comes down to it, Jesus and His Word are really all the body of Christ needs. But instead, most of our churches desire worthless vile.

Where is truly the heart of the Church today?