BUILDING THE CHURCH

BUILDING THE CHURCH OUR Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Initially built the church With the HELP of all The apostles and disciples The popes and saints of over 2,000 years And many other apostolic men and women Regardless of their faith Who put PEOPLE Above structures and buildings “You are God's BUILDING” 1 Corinthians 3:9 The church was rebuilt once By Saint Francis of Assisi AGAIN-I am talking About the PEOPLE OF GOD NOT the structures And it is UP To ALL of us people again In today's world To build an ALL-INCLUSIVE All-loving-all-forgiving church That at least affords EVERY PERSON The opportunity to belong IF they are indeed righteous “So it is with you Since you are eager For gifts of the Spirit TRY to excel In those That build up the church” 1 Corinthians 14:12 It is important That we remember That in every age God raises up HOLY men and women To recall the church To its PRIMARY MISSION To bring the teaching and example Of Jesus To people everywhere First and foremost WE teach by example By loving-by forgiving-by being KIND And practicing the commandments That Moses handed down to us And the two commandments That Jesus taught “FOLLOW my example As I follow the example of Christ,” 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul said “In everything Set them an example By DOING what is GOOD In your teachings Show integrity Seriousness and soundness of speech That cannot be condemned So that those Who oppose you May be ashamed Because they have nothing bad To say about us” Titus 2:7 Dear brothers and sisters In Christ Jesus BUILT the original church And it stands today Saint Francis of Assisi REBUILT the church In the 1200's It is up TO ALL OF US To build An ALL INCLUSIVE church And BRING Christ's teachings ALIVE again To this world It is UP to EVERY man and woman Of this world To begin truly living Christ's teachings After all- NO SERVANT is greater Than his master “The student Is NOT above the teacher Nor a servant Above his master It is ENOUGH For students To be LIKE their teachers And servants Like their masters” Matthew 10:24-25 Let us ALL-BUILD THE CHURCH CHRIST'S ALL-INCLUSIVE CHURCH OF LOVE Robert P. Wallman 11-8-15