44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.
45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says
49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’[b]
51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
Reflection
Let’s cut right to the chase and read verse 48. It says: “the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands.” So, when is a church not a church? When we call it the house of God.
In 2019 I wrote a story called “Messy Church.” And if you are like me Messy Church might be the Church for you.
It began: “Messy Church is church, but probably not church as you know it.
“When traditional church doesn’t fit for a family, they can explore and worship together in a more relaxed format,” said Janet Westlake, the Minister of Discipleship at First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora “And they can do it together as a family.”
The local Methodist Church began offering a different type of church. Messy Church is for families whose busy lives, schedules, and ages may not fit with traditional Sunday morning experiences.
The first Messy Church began in 2004 in England when church leaders were frustrated because, as a church, they were hardly reaching any children, according to the Messy Church website.
They decided that it would be better for all ages to come together with the idea that walking the Christian journey was better with as many different people as possible. And it would also benefit families to grow together in their faith walk.
Messy Church began spreading across denominations and countries, with almost 4,000 Messy Churches in more than 20 countries.
There are five components to Messy Church. Messy Church values are about being Christ-centered; for all ages; based on creativity; hospitality and celebration, according to the website.
It is a church that helps people encounter Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Every element aims to be relevant and accessible to all ages. It reflects the creativity of God in its imaginative hands-on approach to being church together. And hospitality is also a key part of the church. In Mount Dora it begins with a meal.
“The celebration portion also reflects a God of joy who wants His people to have life in all its fullness, said Westlake.
Messy Church is a way the Mount Dora Methodist hopes to reach new people.
“Messy Church works for us because life is not always tidy,” said Westlake. “In contrast to sanctuary worship, which is more formal and predictable, Messy Church uses a variety of methods to connect people with God and help them be in relationship with God. This allows people from diverse backgrounds or family situations to feel comfortable at Messy Church.
by Rick Reed
For Pondering and Prayer
When is a church not a church? When it’s referred to the house of God. God asked, “Has not my hand made all these things? I know it sounds like double speak but hear the message. God wants us to have a relationship with him.
Prayer: Most holy and reverent God, help us to want that relationship with you. You are the church, along with those that want that relationship. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
