The Kind Of Church God Is Looking For.

However, many people today when they say they are looking for a church for their family they look for a church today the same way they are shopping for a new car.

That is, they are looking for a church that has certain features.

Such as a…

(1) Beautiful building to worship in.

If you find that hard to believe than why do many churches today spend millions of dollars on a church building because they know that some folks are looking for this kind of church to join.

(2) Some are looking for a church that has a lot of activities.

This is why many churches today have more activities than the local YMCA because they know that some folks are looking for that kind of church to join.

(3) Some are looking for a church to join that has prestigious members.

Illus: In Columbia, S.C. a business wanting to increase their business sent their salesman to join certain prestigious churches in the city.

The reason they did this they knew these kinds of churches may offer them some business contacts for their business.

(4) Some are looking for a church that has talented singers.

They know that everyone likes good singing.

I could go on and on why some people are looking for a certain kind of church they want to join.

They shop for a church the way some folks shop for a car.

Folks have some strange ideas about the church they are looking for in a church they want to join.

Yes, there are people all over this nation looking for a certain kind of church with certain kind of features.

But the question I want to ask you is this, "What kind of church is God looking for?”

Every Christian should be looking for the kind of church that God is looking for.

As we look at the scriptures, we are not without guidance concerning what kind of church God is looking for in a church.

For example, based on the scriptures we can see:

I. WHAT GOD IS LOOKING FOR IN A CHURCH

Let me tell you about Cowboy Joe who wanted to find a church that he was looking for….

Illus: Cowboy Joe was telling his friend Charlie about his first visit to the big-city church he wanted to join.

• He said, "When I got there, they had me park my old truck in the corral,"

Charlie said, "You mean the parking lot."

• "I walked up the trail to the door."

Charlie again corrected him and said, “You mean the sidewalk.”

• Joe continued, "Inside the door, I was met by this dude."

Charlie said, “You mean usher.”

• "Well, the usher led me down the chute."

Charlie said, "You mean the aisle."

• "Then, he led me to a stall and told me to sit there."

• Charlie said, “You mean PEW!"

• "Yeah, that’s what that pretty lady said when I sat down beside her, she said…PEW!”

Every born-again believer should be looking for the same kind of church the Lord is looking for.

WHAT KIND OF CHURCH IS THAT?

God is looking for a church that belongs to Him!!!

We often hear people say about the church they attend as “MY CHURCH”.

I myself have referred to this church…the First Baptist as MY CHURCH!

But really it isn’t MY CHURCH!

Notice, in our scripture reading the Lord referred to the church as, “My church”.

The Lord is looking for a church that is HIS CHURCH!!!

The reason it is HIS CHURCH is because HE DIED FOR HIS CHURCH!

We are privilege to join HIS CHURCH, but actually the First Baptist church belongs to HIM!

So, when a person joins the First Baptist, they are joining His church.

WHY DOES GOD LAY CLAIM THE CHURCH BELONGS TO HIM?

Because the Lord Jesus died for His Church.

Because the church is God’s people and God’s people belong to God.

Illus: We often hear people talk about going to church. WE DO NOT GO TO CHURCH WE ARE THE CHURCH.

The church isn’t a place; it’s people!

This congregation of believers is not my congregation, it is God’s Congregation.

For example, when the rapture takes place, He is not coming back for a bunch of church buildings, He is coming back for His church which is His people.

With the strength and wisdom, He provides us we can BUILD A CHURCH BUILDING PHYSICALLY, but only God can BUILD HIS CHURCH SPIRITUALLY.

1) He clearly states every Bible-believing church is HIS CHURCH

2) He also clearly states I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH.

However, sad to say however some church goers can refer to their church as MY CHURCH because their church is not BUILT BY GOD they are BUILT BY MAN!!!