Matt 16:18 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. NLT
I think it is important to note that the Church was God’s idea.
In fact, the book of Revelations is addressed to the 7 Churches
Church: Ecclesia “church”: a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public arena; an assembly or gathering of people
This is a secular term for any gathering called out for purpose and council: military, civic, social, etc.
Notice, called out of their homes!
The temptation is to stay in our homes and not be involved with our culture, in the name of being separate!
The mentality is, “If they want bother me, I want bother them”
The question that we must ask ourselves: when did the church building become the church, rather than a place for the church to gather for a purpose?
Most people, when they think about church, think about a building, instead of a movement.
Slowly the church became a location, rather than a gathering!
When the church building becomes the church, what will happen?
It will become a place to be lectured to rather than a place to celebrate and be edified!
Remember this: You can lock and shut down a “Basilica” but you can’t lock the “ecclesia”! Family or an Army?
Matt 12:48-50 48 Jesus asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!" NLT
Adopted by our Father, redeemed by our Brother, Co-heirs with Him, we are family!
Eph 2:19-20 19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. NLT
Family: Lineage, family, descendants, nation
We are in the lineage of Christ, we are a holy nation, we are image bearers, we are family!
Nowhere in the New Testament is the Church referred to as God's Army...never.
We are called the Body, family, His building, Church, Bride, etc. But never His army.
Families are messy
God instituted the church to help people heal and build strong relationships
Heb 10:24-25 24 Let us think of ways to motivate (Provoke) one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. NLT
Provoke: to stir up, provoke. In a good sense, a sharpening; used figuratively meaning an encouragement to some action or feeling. In a bad sense, the stirring up of anger, sharp contention, angry dispute Walking in "patience”
2 Tim 4:2 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. NLT
Patiently: having a massive capacity to endure difficult seasons and slow-growing people without losing your temper or giving up on them.
We are called to:
correct (point out error gently), rebuke (warn against sin without anger) encourage (build up)
On this discipleship journey
2 Tim 4:3-4 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. NLT
Familiarity breeds contempt
Num 20:1-14 20 In the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried. 2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people blamed Moses and said, "If only we had died in the Lord's presence with our brothers! 4 Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord's people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5 Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!" 6 Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, 7 and the Lord said to Moses, 8 "You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock." 9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. "Listen, you rebels!" he shouted. "Must we bring you water from this rock?" 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. 12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!" 13 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means "arguing") because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them. NLT
Moses had been leading these people through the desert for nearly 40 years.
During this time, he endured constant rebellion, griping, and lack of faith.
When the new generation repeated the exact same complaints as their parents—wishing they had died in Egypt and accusing Moses of bringing them to the desert to starve—Moses reached his breaking point.
Moses no longer saw the Israelites as God’s treasured, hurting possession; he saw them as an annoying, repetitive nuisance.
The Dangers of not checking your heart regularly!
Early in the Exodus journey, when the people rebelled, Moses (?) would fall on his face and beg God to spare them (Exodus 32).
By Numbers 20, the familiarity of their whining bred so much contempt that his(?) immediate reaction was insults ("Listen, you rebels!") rather than intercession.
Protecting yourself from letting Familiarity Breed Contempt…………..with………
1. With Long-Suffering and Patience
When dealing with difficult, repetitive, or frustrating people, scripture commands a posture of deliberate patience—reflecting how God treats us.
Col 3:12-14 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. NLT
Eph 4:1-4 4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. NLT
2. With Grace and Wisdom in Conversation
To prevent familiarity from turning into sharp or harsh speech, our words must be measured and carefully timed.
Col 4:5-7 5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. NLT
Prov 15:1 15 1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
James 1:19-20 19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. NLT
3. With Humility (right motivation)
Phil 2:1-4 2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.3 Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. NLT
4. With Forgiveness and Restoration
When relationships become "messy," the biblical mandate is to restore people gently rather than criticizing them harshly.
Gal 6:1-3 6 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important NLT
Conclusion: Church is not a building we visit; it is a family we belong to. And because we are a family, it will get messy. When slow-growing people and difficult seasons tempt us to let familiarity breed contempt—causing us to strike out in anger like Moses—we must choose the path of long-suffering. Let us protect our hearts with patience, guard our lips with grace, and refuse to give up on each other. You can lock the doors of a building, but you cannot stop a family called out by God, moving together in love, to change the world.
