We are beginning this new series about “The Body Works”. I want to give full attention to how the Body of Christ works, how it functions, who gives it direction - we're going to explore all of that in the next 10 weeks.
 

This Sunday we're going to kick it off with the “Director” of the church. It's the job of the film director to understand the script; and to understand the characters and the theme of the story that's unfolding; to guide in the development of the characters, to choose locations, to pre-plan and to see the film through to its final completion.
 

Jesus is the “Master Director “of the church. He is what the Bible calls the Author and the Finisher of our faith. He is the One who ordained this institution called “The Church” - He is planning - He knows how the story unfolds before it happens because He is the “Alpha and Omega” - the Beginning and the End.
 

We first hear the term “Church” in Matthew 16. Jesus is the One who utters that word; in the Greek it is “Ecclesia” - it means the “ called out “ ones. He doesn't use it to describe an event like, are you going to church today? He doesn't use it to describe a building; that's a beautiful Church!  The context that He uses is for “the people” that make up the church.
 

Matthew 16: 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Christ takes personal responsibility for the direction of the Church from the time it is authored (on Day of Pentecost) to the time that it will be raptured – that we go into Glory. This is a great comfort for those who are called to ministry because if you're doing your work; Jesus will build His church.
 

 It also means that you can’t take too much credit for what goes on in the life of the church because Christ is the One that is building the Church. We simply need to lift up His Name and if we do that the Bible says that all men will be drawn to Him.
 

Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “The Director.”
    

Blessings,                                                                                                                                                             

Kevin