Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:25-27
Jesus is coming for a glorious Church. Jesus is coming for a Church which walks worthy of Him, a Church, a community of believers, who show forth His fullness and His love. A Church walking in honor, integrity, and in union with one another and His Spirit. A Church above reproach, a Church, a people submitted and committed to Him in all their ways. Jesus is coming for a glorious Church, and we cannot be a part of that glorious Church without taking our place in our local church.
RESTORATION OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
This is the hour of the local church. It is a pitiful condition that many of God’s people are in, who say,“I love the Lord, I’m His child, I’m saved and I belong to Jesus,” with their actions are contradicting these very words. Like the church of Laodicea, they are indifferent to the things of God and are ready to be spewed out of His mouth (Revelation 3:14-22). Bible reading is pushed to the side; church attendance is at best sporadic for many or nonexistent. And yet the Church is to be that called out assembly, the representation of Christ on this Earth.
The world sees the Body of Christ through the local church. Each member of the Body of Christ is called to his or her own fold.
“But I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries where I have driven them,and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:3-4
What a powerful influence! What a change would happen in our communities, in our cities and states and in our nation and beyond if the Church body as a whole would give themselves faithfully to their local church. What glory and honor it would bring to our heavenly Father for all of His children to be working together in unity for His Kingdom. People want to walk in the power of the early Church. Well, the early Church knew the power of coming together and working together. They knew and were faithful to their own company.
The Body of Christ coming together the first day of the week is something the Scriptures reveal that the early Church did.“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together . . .” (Acts 20:7).“On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2).
The Bible tells us not to forsake our assembling together:
And let us consider