When We Assemble: Part I

    How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. I Corinthians 14:26

    The church, the actual supernatural expression of the Lord Jesus Christ in the earth is not an organization, it is a living organism! The problem is that our modern-day expression has become a ritualistic man-made structure!

    It seems that we have become complacent in our worship and accepted the mediocre assembly of the dead! Three points and a poem, sing, pray, sit down, stand up, take an offering, go home and take a nap! All in about an hour! If we had sex like we worship God, there would be no children! Don't get me wrong all churches are not like this but most ignore the instruction for our assembling!

    The apostle Paul had numerous instructions for our meetings and the assembly of the saints. The true expression of the Lord Jesus is nothing like our modern-day churches built by men! Because we have not paid attention to the word of God, we have become powerless and ignorant of what God truly has for us!

    For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. I Corinthians 12:12,13

ONE BODY, MANY MEMBERS

    And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," "nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you." I Corinthians 12:20

    The human body is also made up of many members which are necessary for the natural function of the body. The brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and stomach are very important but there are also many other parts that are also important. For the human body to function properly all the parts must also work properly.

    So also, the body of Christ must function properly with all of its parts, members and spiritual organs doing what they were designed to do. Today however in our mega-churches with millions of members and super-star preachers we have become spiritual quadriplegics! The members all sit and listen but are never trained, equipped and sent into ministry.

    The preachers become the eye and have had no need of the hands, feet and other members being used and so they shut down and die. I have watched several people in my life begin the process of death and their organs, one by one begin to shut down and then the end comes when they die! So it is with the Body of Christ, without the lesser members functioning properly the whole body is affected!

    Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. I Corinthians 12:27

THE SUPERNATURAL CHURCH

    And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. I Corinthians 12:28

    You walk into almost any church in America and its list of leadership consists of pastor,associate pastor, youth pastor, choir director and secretary, give or take a few! So, where is the apostle, the prophet or the Miracles Department? 

    It is so sad what has happened to the "Supernatural Church of Jesus Christ" over the eons of time as man has totally wrecked what God appointed! Jesus is our example to follow and as He made disciples and walked in supernatural power, so should we! Church is not a place to go, it is a "Person" to be!

    We have provided millions of square feet of beautiful buildings, fantastic musical events, super-star preachers and stuck a sign in the yard expecting people to show up! The problem is the people become spectators and the only signs are the time and temperature!

    And He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11,12

Your servant in Christ, Timothy Laughlin
   Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ