Category: Biblical Church

So a fork lift drops a skid of bricks in front of you and then a skid of natural stones.  You’re asked to build a wall.  Which would you pick? 

Hmmm, well I guess if you were considering how long it would take or how easy it would be, you would pick the bricks.  You would start with the first row, add the mortar, stagger them and add another row and another and in no time you would have a wall.  Natural stones are in all shapes and sizes.  You would most likely lay them all out on the ground, consider each one and then come up with a plan.  Maybe the larger more uniform stones would be placed at the base and then the others would have to be fitted, determined by your hand and skill.  This would take much longer and would be much more of a challenge.

We find bricks in the Bible at the story of the Tower of Babel. 

They settled there and said to each other, ‘Let’s form bricks and bake them.  Let’s build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky.  Let’s make a name for ourselves, for otherwise we’ll be scattered across the face of the earth.

Genesis 11:2-4

Bricks are also a key element with the children of Israel in Egypt.  Both seem associated with the key phrase in Genesis 11 – Let’s make a name for ourselves, let’s build something that will be a monument to our greatness. Bricks are also associated with slavery.

God seems to love stones, natural and beautiful.  In fact if you read in Exodus 20:25 or Deuteronomy 27:4-6 when God says “build me an altar” He not only wants natural stones, He gives instructions not to hew them or use iron tools on them.  They are perfect the way they are! Maybe you’re perfect the way you are?

If you’re like me, you’ve found yourself in many brick and mortar churches throughout your lifetime.  The leadership wants to build high and fast. It seems no matter how much the Pastor and the leadership try to hew you and cut you up, you just can’t fit into their wall. It becomes painful to become a brick in a wall that is elevating one person.  After a while you get frustrated, maybe leave church all together, thinking there is something wrong with you.  If you’ve ever struggled with this, let me assure you, you’re a stone.  Each of us is created differently, we’re all different sizes and shapes, different colors and textures.  It’s God’s plan to take each of us and examine us and fit us into his Holy Temple based on the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ. 

It’s so freeing to be part of a group of believers that is not determined to build something that is a monument to someone’s greatness.  We are aware that each one is beautiful and different and we are allowing Christ to gently fit us together. 

Mama always knew that when I went back home for a visit I would want her to cook me my favorite.  That was, of course, her meatballs…famous in the Tri-State area. 

I found out later that she had a secret ingredient: stale Italian bread.  I always wondered why there was a loaf of stale Italian bread in the bread cupboard.  She would soak the Italian bread and then use it to make her famous meatballs.  She would make enough to eat and then freeze the rest so I could take some back home.  My father made an outrageous tomato salad that I would also request…yummy!  When we would have family gatherings people would always bring their specialties, often requested by other family members.  I’m sure we can all relate.

Meatballs, tomato salad, whatever food we prepare will cost us time, money, and labor. There is no comparison when we try to duplicate the experience at a restaurant.  Nobody can make meatballs like my mama! 

Spiritually it’s the same way.  It’s interesting to compare the corporate church model to the house church model, which I believe is more Biblically based.  Think of your restaurant experience…you decide to go to a restaurant with a famous chef, get dressed up, you drive up, if it’s a fancy place you can get valet parking, you enter and get seated, you check out the menu, get served, eat the food, pay and leave a tip, then you leave.  If you don’t like the food or experience, next time you can go to another restaurant, maybe one not so big and fancy. Eventually you’ll find a place that fits your style and taste.

Compare that to a family gathering or a picnic.  You have to give some thought to the event, decide what to bring, go out and prepare your meal, make enough for all to enjoy, share your gift with others and hopefully take home some leftovers that others lovingly prepared.  When we meet together we are expected to bring something. Participating is good for us and good for the church.

I Corinthians 14:26 What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be constructive and edifying and done for the good of all the church.

The challenge in today’s Christian experience is that we are accustomed to pay for services rendered. We expect an experienced cook and staff will do all the work. We just show up, enjoy and pay for it.  If we don’t enjoy the experience we feel free to go to another church.  As stated in scripture, a proper house church needs everyone to participate and bring something.  In my experience this is the hardest hurdle to overcome.  It’s so hard to break the mindset of coming to a meeting expecting to get and not give.  Yes it takes work, time to interact with God and courage to share something personal but over time each of us will develop a special dish (gifting).  We will eventually find joy in the preparation and joy as others consume.  Also, don’t forget to make enough so others can take some home.

Author: Jonathan Rovetto