A Church Without Walls!
- Selah Avery
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
Philippians 4:21-23 ESV
Christ doesn't just work inside the walls of a church building.
The building itself is just regular stuff; wood, glass, metal etc.
So put this building up for sale and whoever has it next doesn't have to use it for a church. In 1911, The Tabernacle in Atlanta used to be a church but now the building is used as a club and concert facility. And before you say it won't work - know that it's been VERY SUCCESSFUL since 1996, hosting acts like Prince and Dave Chappelle.
One of my favorite shows to watch is where people renovate buildings.
People have repurposed churches to live in.
So the church building itself isn't what makes it a church - it's what we call it when we decide we're going to operate in it a certain way.
So the question begs : how do you operate OUTSIDE of it?
Do you only act like the church while you're IN the church?
If so, you are the ones known in the streets as “church folk”. No shade - just real talk.
So here Paul makes mention of the people of God in Caesar's house. Yeah that Caesar- the ruler of Rome. He wasn't necessarily an enemy but notice this says in his house - not in the church. History reveals that Julius Caesar (100–44 B.C.) was highly regarded by Jews for reversing harsh policies imposed by Pompey and granting significant religious and civic privileges. Following vital Jewish military aid in Egypt, Caesar permitted the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, reduced taxes, and recognized Judaism as a legitimate religion, allowing Jews to follow their own laws.
For the people who are lost, What I'm saying is God never meant for us to JUST operate holy INSIDE the church.
The saying goes "we ARE the church". That means even if — AND ESPECIALLY -- If you're working for or in close proximity to the enemy, you are expected to BE THE CHURCH!
A better breakdown :
If you are within arms reach of the president and you claim to be a follower of THE WAY, it should still be SEEN among those you're around that you are.
Even if it costs you that cushy, benefits laden job, because as Esther had to be told by her cousin Mordechai - "who knows if you were sent for such a time as THIS" — to tell the president what THUS SAYS THE LORD!
Listen God ain't putting us in places OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH to blend into the background!
Matthew 5:13-16 states:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
This applies to you UNLESS YOU never had the light in the first place...
Yes – that's shade -- to be able to throw shade you gotta have some type of light! And baby I got it -- HIS LIGHT!
So stop thinking all that God has put in you is only to be used in the church.
His Word says we are in this world but not of it! John 17:14
You go to work every day and there are 1 and a half "Christians" there and bc you're scared, you're the half!
You're in the world being affected instead of INFECTING others with HIS LOVE AND LIGHT!
I'm not saying wear scripture pinned on your shirt like dollar bills like it's your birthday – but I am saying SHOW SOME SIGN!
Psalm 107:2 says Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble
You ain't gotta be in the grocery store shouting and laying hands with extra virgin Olive oil on people – although many need it LOL - But every now and then your store visit should be interrupted because you felt the unction of the Holy Spirit telling you to go and pray for someone while you're in the meat section.
Yes it's happened to me quite a few times.
I'm like "man Holy Spirit – I just wanna get my snacks and go 😂 -
That lady is enjoying looking at that high priced meat -- can i just go?" 😂
Pray in the grocery store⁉️
At the gas station⁉️
OUTSIDE of the church⁉️
YEP!
OUTSIDE DOING THE LORDS WORK‼️
ON TUESDAY ‼️
AT 4:37 PM ...
No praise team. No devotion. No announcements. 😜 No drums. No organ.
Just all outside acting like JESUS!
1 Corinthians 3:9 is clear, stating
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
2 Timothy 2:15 also states Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
YES SHOW JESUS -
In Caesar's house, in the highways and by ways, in all of Samaria and the world....
Not JUST in the church.
In the world – a church without walls.
I get it.
Walls make us feel safe.
During tornado season they say get away from windows and have as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
Walls represent shelter and hiding.
But God doesn't want us to hide the gifts, skills and talents He wants to use in us.
Read how The Parable of the servant with the one talent ends… you’ll see what I mean.
Matthew 25:14-30
The story of the servants with the talents (money at the time) proves this.
He wants a return on what He's given.
Hiding the talents is crazy.
But the other 2 had to go outside of the Master's place to increase what he entrusted them with.
Like, you really can't be mad at people who started in the church but went outside of it and leveled up.
THE TRICK IS NOT TO ACT LIKE THE WORLD WHEN YOU GET OUT THERE!
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
You got out there and got caught up and didn't do what He wanted. Dulled His light. But the thing about God's grace is HE KNEW YOU'D TAKE A DETOUR OR 2-- and He's always available to redirect You.
Ask the prodigal son. Luke 15:11-32
So we're hiding behind the church walls with His gifts and His glory!
He's not pleased.
He'll let you hide for a season but when he's ready for His stuff to be used for HIS PURPOSE, you best believe He knows how to find you.
- Ask Moses. Hiding on the west side of the mountain. Exodus 3:1
- Or ask Joseph. Hiding in the pit and prison; albeit involuntarily but God knew where he was every step of the way!
God is gangster. 🤣
He's keeping tabs and receipts. He's keeping an eye on His investments.
And when He's ready to call in a favor, he'll make you an offer you can't refuse 😂
Romans 12:1 puts it this way:
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
God is saying :
"Man lissen --
My son shed his blood over you -YOU OWE ME!"
God calls in favors at some of the WORST TIMES tho 😂
I mean, Sleeping GREAT -- drooling and snoring -- THEN HE WAKES YOU UP ALL OF A SUDDEN....
Talking about "I need you to pray for so and so.....!"
Me: "BRAAAHHHH 😂😂
It is 3:17am I don't care NOTHING about so and so and ‘nem right now!"
ME: "Did you wake them up to pray for me?
Lord if I got to be up, they got to be up 😂 we all gone be up together -- looking at the ceiling and talking to the air..."🤣🤣🤣
But then when you get your spirit right and start telling Him how amazing He is... And start feeling His presence... Then you don't even realize you've been talking to the Lord about somebody else's stuff for over an hour!
And the sleep after that is remarkable!
See He wants His stuff done when He wants His stuff done....
So you are a follower of The Way AND you're in Caesars house = the World, the white house..... You get the point…
Are you praying in there or just staying and laying in there?
You can still pray in secret. Matthew 6:6
And you can always pray in season and out no matter where you are. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Prayer is the ultimate carry-on!
There and not just praying in Thanksgiving for your position, safety and the benefits but praying God's Angels set things straight in that place! Praying that God's will be done in that place.
You're not there for decoration brothers and sisters. You're there to pray God's Will be done AND YES YOU CAN PRAY WITHOUT shouting the building down – ask them folks marching around Jericho those 6x!
Trust me -- there is a time and place for that shout and HE WILL LET YOU KNOW! Joshua 6:1-20
See, God ain’t scared of the world, your house or the walls they call the white house. HE RULES A KINGDOM!
So as you’re doing His Will, even in enemy territory, KNOW HE IS WITH YOU!
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
NOW GO OUTSIDE & BE THE CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS!
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