The Spirit of the Church

The Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple complex He found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and He also found the money changers. After making a whip out of cords, He drove everyone out of the temple complex with their sheep and oxen, He also poured out the moneychangers coins and overturned the tables. He told those who were selling the doves, "get these things out of here! Stop turning My Father's house into a market place." And His disciples remembered that is is written: Zeal for Your house will consume Me. John 2:13-17

Each church carries a 'spirit', a signature of who they are at the core. I have been in churches where a nasty spirit resides, yet in others where a 'spirit of worship' resides, others where the presence of God is honoured.

In the temple, in the above passage, the leadership had allowed it to become a place of usury, a marketplace instead a place of worship. Jesus was incensed.

Recently I have had the pleasure to be involved in a local church where a beautiful spirit, I have not met before resides. I did not expect it as I had come to know the denomination as a legalistic organisation yet this church is far from that. Not only is this a surprise it is very refreshing.

What causes the difference? I believe it comes form the top. The ministry team set the tone of an organisation, their priorities, their passion become the flavour of the church.

In the local church I mentioned above, I know the word of God is honoured, the people love it but there is more, they are genuinely friendly and now they are purposing to worship the Lord like they never had before, a hunger is growing in them. You would agree good attributes in a church.

The amazing thing I have found that ever since I have been in Wodonga as a divorcee I have invited many couples to my home but never been invited myself. Within a few weeks of being at this church I have my first invitation, from a couple. They are really friendly. Do you know how attractive this is?

Last night I went to a bible study group and sensed that same spirit there, I liked it. I don't feel like I have to fix something but just relax and inhale something, I love it. There is a fragrance there that is so becoming, so tantalising, so wooing.

It makes me love my Lord all the more to know I have discovered a part of Him that I have never experienced and now am getting to know. A truly lovely experience.