In conversation about church there is always the obligatory reminder that the “church is the people.” That is true and should never be forgotten. But the church is also an entity in itself full of tradition. The church is made up, not only of current members, but of all who have gone before. She has a legacy of blood, sweat and tears. People have given their lives to form the institution.

As a Christian people, we belong to God. The Church belongs to God. She is the bride of Christ. She is his body made up of many members, yet one. She has a purpose.
Determining that purpose is often fraught with deep battles of will and conscience. Some see her as a well where Christians go to drink and be filled. She is. Some see her as a springboard for “going forth into all the world.” She is. Some see her as a source of social interaction in an otherwise lonely world. She is. The church, this battered institution, is all these things and more.

There is comfort in tradition. It binds us as a scattered people. Attending church in a strange town with folks who are unfamiliar to us, one can sing hymns and make statements of faith that bring unity. In this time and this place strangers are family. For this hour there is one church, the body of Christ. The tradition of the institution spans space and time. It makes tangible the promise of Christ that where two or more are gathered in his name, He will be in the midst of them. The communion of saints is mortar in a fragmented world. Worship is the tie that binds.

Worship is one facet of the institution. It is the heart and soul. Before the church can go out into the world she must acknowledge her Creator and Sustainer. The tradition, hymns and creeds come from a long line of people who could no longer contain their love of God and of His people. They put words to paper to offer back to God their souls in gratitude and joy. The people read and sing in hopes of making the same offering. Church, the institution, retains the legacy so that Church, the people, may express devotion to God as one.

The expectation is that this body of believers will leave worship refreshed , renewed and full of wonder at the grace of God through Christ and carry this wonder out into the world, out of the safety and familiarity of the institution.

The Holy Spirit draws us in, refreshes us and sends us back out.

The Institution is a Holy entity bought by Christ to make Himself evident to the world. As such she is to be loved.

Lisa Poole is a freelance writer living in Virginia.

There are many times in our lives where we ask ourselves the question;”What is my purpose in Life?” And there are some who make a living, telling others exactly what it is. Many write books covering the subject and others make movies and presentations, but none really address the answer very clearly. Haven you seen time after time children killing themselves because they say that there is no purpose in their lives? The demands of this life time and especially of this upcoming generation is weighing down many a persons spirit, cutting them to the bone, not leaving them any recourse but to go with the flow, being swept away with peer pressure and company abuse. So what is the answer, is it in a book, a movie, a presentation or a single mans idea of life? No, The answer is in Jesus. Lets read a little Scripture and look at the Son of Man.

Luke 17:20-24, And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

Counselors, psychriacrist and others say they know what people need, but they never mention Jesus. Jesus, The Son of Man, Son of God, Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Word, The Prince of Peace, The Lord of The Sabbath, The Christ, The Seeker of the Lost, The Avenger, The Rewarder, The First, The Last, The Eternal, The Faithful Witness,The First Begotten of the Dead, The prince of the Kings of the Earth, The Bright and Shining Star, The Alpha, The Omega, The First, The Last, The Morning Star, The Holder of The Key of David, and the Amen. Man writing book after book explaining what our purpose is in this life, giving us, theology, terminology, making trees, animals and even man gods to pray to and seek healing from. False hope, false doctrine, Idol worship and man science.

Trying to explain our origin from science, evolution and revolution, new wave religions that can neither hear nor answer prayer. Mankind building up man as a demigod, searching our purpose from the stars and from the Big Bang Theory.

Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Matthew 11:27 is a perfect place to start finding your purpose on this earth. You must be known of The Father, you must be recognized by the All Mighty, without Him there is no purpose in your life, except to die and be judged. Is your purpose in life to posses? James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Jer 17:11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

Luke 12:19-20 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
The Bible says no.

[Ref.Jam_1:6, Jam_1:7; Job_27:8-10, Job_35:12; Psa_18:41, Psa_66:18, Psa_66:19; Pro_1:28, Pro_15:8; Pro_21:13, Pro_21:27; Isa_1:15, Isa_1:16; Jer_11:11, Jer_11:14, Jer_14:12; Mic_3:4; Zec_7:13;]

Is our purpose in life to receive Glory from our name and position in life? John 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 2Co 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Phi 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) Well the Bible says no, mans glory is fading and foolish to try to achieve.

Is our purpose in life to gain riches? Jesus said; “Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” “the deceitfulness of riches” Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; James 5:2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Rev 18:15-17 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, Well again the Bible says no. So then you ask, “What is our purpose in life and who is this Son of Man, Jesus Christ?” The answer is simple; Romans12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Our purpose in Life is to be a living sacrifice to God, to seek His Glory, His Wisdom, His Knowledge, His Acceptance as Children of The Almighty. Our purpose in Life is to Serve as our Saviour Served. Then can we also say that our purpose in life is not to be subject to ordinances?

Col 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. Can we also say then, that this Son of Man is a living word from God that is a guide to righteousness, to Glory, to Honor, to Life, not as we know it but a life eternal in Spirit and not in the flesh? A regenerative Spirit that leads us to God?

Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Mat 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Jesus, The Son of Man, Son of God, Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Word, The Prince of Peace, The Lord of The Sabbath, The Christ, The Seeker of the Lost, The Avenger, The Rewarder, The First, The Last, The Eternal, The Faithful Witness, The First Begotten of the Dead, The prince of the Kings of the Earth, The Bright and Shining Star, The Alpha, The Omega, The First, The Last, The Morning Star, The Holder of The Key of David, and the Amen. Seek out the Son of Man while He still may be Found and know your purpose in Life.

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Sermons International
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/