Do We Need the Church to Be With God?

Brother Richie Juatco: In today’s day and age of technology and convenience, almost everything is just a click away. We order food without speaking to a waiter, transfer money without visiting a bank, and communicate across the world in an instant. Middlemen are disappearing and immediacy has become the norm. But when it comes to our relationship with God, does the same rule apply?

Can we simply connect with Him directly? No mediator? No process? Or do we have to follow a step-by-step process that God set?

Stay with us. This is what we’ll be studying today, here on The Message. 

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Do We Need the Church to Be With God?

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The Message

Brother Richie Juatco:  Hi. Thank you for joining us. I’m Brother Richie Juatco. 

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Brother Mark Vasquez

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Richie Juatco

Minister of the Gospel

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Do We Need the Church to Be With God?

Brother Mark Vasquez: And I’m Brother Mark Vasquez. 

In a world obsessed with shortcuts and fast tracks, we’ve grown accustomed to bypassing steps. Yet in matters of faith, is bypassing really possible or even desirable? Many want to learn how to build a relationship with God. Yet there are those who wrongly say, “I don’t need a church or religion to build a relationship with God.” But Brother Richie, can we now approach the Creator of heaven, our Father in heaven, can we approach Him just like how we open an app—immediately, informally, or maybe just even on our own terms?

God’s Laws and the Need to Follow His Commands [1:25] 

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Can we approach God directly?

Brother Richie: Well, to answer that question, we’ll read what is actually written here in Psalm 119. We’ll read from verses 30 to 35, and it says this,

I am determined to be faithful and to respect your laws. I follow your rules, LORD. Don’t let me be ashamed. I am eager to learn all that you want me to do; help me to understand more and more. Point out your rules to me, and I won’t disobey even one of them. Help me to understand your Law; I promise to obey it with all my heart. Direct me by your commands! I love to do what you say.
-Psalm 119:30-35 Contemporary English Version

Brother Richie: Here, this servant of God acknowledges that God has laws, rules, and commands that must be followed. Because of this, what does he ask God? He is the one that says, “Point out your rules to me… Help me to understand your Law… Direct me by your commands!” 

Brother Mark: Brother Richie, how is it that God’s true servants really value God’s laws and His rules? 

Brother Richie: Well, this servant made [it] clear, He said that “I am determined to be faithful and to respect your laws… I am eager to learn all that you want me to do… help me to understand more and more… I love to do what you say.” So a true servant of God clearly understands that God is the One who tells us what to do and how to be. And we as His servants follow His terms, not our own. 

Brother Mark: So how does a servant of God, how do they feel when they don’t understand the law of the Lord God?

Brother Richie: Notice this servant said, “Don’t let me be ashamed.” Therefore, it is very clear to God’s people that in order to actually have God in your life, God’s laws, rules, and commands must be obeyed—they cannot be bypassed. 

Brother Mark: So now let’s ask the Bible, Brother Richie, what are God’s laws, rules, and commands that must be obeyed in order to be with Him?

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What are the requirements to begin with God?

Brother Richie: Let’s continue to get our answers from what is written. We’ll read now in Ephesians, chapter 4, the verse is 3. It says, 

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
-Ephesians 4:3 New International Version

Brother Richie: Here the Bible mentions the unity of the spirit. Based on the Bible—God is spirit—if we read in John 4:24.

Brother Mark: So how important is it to have that unity with the Lord God?

Brother Richie: Well we did read, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.” So how is the unity with God achieved? The Bible is the one that teaches, “through the bond of peace.” So we have to understand that there is no way [of] getting around this. We cannot bypass the bond of peace and then also have unity with God.

Brother Mark: Why can’t we bypass this, Brother Richie? What’s our condition or situation with God without that bond of peace? 

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What’s our condition with God without the bond of peace?

Brother Richie: You know, that’s a good question. What would be our condition without the bond of peace? Because if people think that they can bypass that, what is it that they would end up remaining as? Let’s read here in Colossians 1:21. It says,

At one time you were far away from God and were his enemies because of the evil things you did and thought.
-Colossians 1:21 Good News Translation

Brother Richie: Here we read the situation of those before they were able to have unity with God through the bond of peace. What was their condition? We read, “At one time you were far away from God and were his enemies.”

Brother Mark: Brother Richie, we read from the Bible that we became enemies with God. How do people become enemies with God? 

Brother Richie: Well, we read, “because of the evil things you did and thought.” So committing evil things or sinning, by actions or thoughts, makes people God’s enemies. 

Brother Mark: So how many people have done this and have committed sin? 

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Do We Need the Church to Be With God?

Brother Richie: You know, in fact, everyone has done this. You know, based on Romans 3:23, all have committed sin. Therefore, by our own fault, our sins have made us enemies of God. On our own, there is no peace. Therefore, we must be part of the bond of peace, because through it then we can have unity with or be with God. 

Brother Mark: Why is it that they have no peace? What’s the condition of those people who committed sin, or the people who became enemies with God? 

The Problem of Sin and Separation From God [6:01] 

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Why is there no peace being an enemy of God?

Brother Richie: Okay, let’s read. Since sin makes us enemies, why is there no peace being an enemy of God? We’ll read the answer here in Hebrews, 10. We’ll read verse 27. The Bible says this,

but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
-Hebrews 10:27 New International Version

Brother Richie: Here we learn what God will do to His enemies. What will happen? We read, “raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” Since this is the case, what do they have to look forward to? We read, “only a fearful expectation of judgment.” Therefore, there really is no peace for people that have sinned. 

Brother Mark: So what’s the only hope for those that committed sin or for sinners?

Brother Richie: Well, we need to be part of that bond of peace. 

Brother Mark: How can we be part of that bond of peace? 

Jesus Christ: The Only Way to Have Peace With God [6:56] 

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How can we be part of the bond of peace with God?

Brother Richie: Let’s find out, right. Since that really is what we need to do. We need to be able to be part of that. The Bible teaches us how. We’ll read here in Romans 5:1. It says, 

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
-Romans 5:1 New King James Version

Brother Richie: Here we read about those who, despite committing sin, were able to have peace with God. Apostle Paul made clear, “we have peace with God.” 

Brother Mark: How was Apostle Paul able to be part of that bond? 

Brother Richie: Well, he’s the one that clarified. He said, “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Brother Mark: So again, we could see that there is a step that we cannot bypass.

Brother Richie: That’s correct. We cannot approach or unite with God—without following His laws, rules—to go through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Brother Mark: Why not? What does the Lord Jesus Christ make crystal clear about coming to God? 

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What does Christ teach about approaching God?

Brother Richie: Let’s read what our Lord Jesus Christ teaches. We’ll read from what is written in John 14:6,

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
-John 14:6 New International Version

Brother Richie: So according to our Lord Jesus Christ, there is no other way to God. What is the only way? We read, “Jesus answered, I am the way.” Why are we sure that Jesus Christ is the only way? Well, He is the one that said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Brother Mark: Well, Brother Richie, if that’s the case, then maybe all one needs to do is just approach the Lord Jesus Christ. What is the condition that cannot be bypassed for us to approach the Lord Jesus Christ? 

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Do We Need the Church to Be With God?

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What condition can’t be skipped in order to approach Christ?

Brother Richie: You know, that’s a really good question, Brother Mark. It’s like asking, since God is the one that already set the process, is He no longer involved in who goes through that process? Well, our Lord Jesus Christ, He actually clarifies that here in the Book of John, chapter 6, and the verse is 44. He says this, 

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
-John 6:44 New King James Version

Brother Richie: The one speaking here is the Lord Jesus Christ. What is it that He clarified regarding coming to Him? Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” Therefore, it is really only God Himself that decides who can be with Him or unite with Him. There is no forcing our way. There is no doing it on our own terms.

Brother Mark: Therefore, those that God allows to be with Him are those that learn the rules He sets, understand His rules, and decide to follow His rules. These are the people that God calls to be with Him. 

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, where is it that God calls people to be with His Son and therefore having peace with Him? 

Being Called Into the One Body of Christ [10:00] 

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Where does God call people to in order to have peace with Him?

Brother Mark: Well, let’s ask the Holy Scriptures. We’ll read here in the Book of Colossians. We’ll read 3, and the verse is 15,

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
-Colossians 3:15 New King James Version

Brother Mark: Here we read of those who were called by God. What was the purpose of their calling? We read, “let the peace of God rule in your hearts.”  So these people have true unity with God. Through the bond of peace, which is through God’s Son, Jesus Christ, these people have true peace with God.

Brother Richie: But where is it that God is calling people to have that peace with Him? 

Brother Mark: Well, we read here, “you were called in one body.” Therefore, those whom God decides can come to His Son, God will call them to be part of His Son’s body. People cannot bypass being in the one body of Christ and somehow have unity with God. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. Now, although many people claim they already are in the one body of Christ, because they believe in Christ or they are members of various Christian-professing churches, we want to know—based on the Bible—what is the body of Christ?

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What is the body of Christ?

Brother Mark: That’s a good question. What is the body of our Lord Jesus Christ? We’ll read that answer here in the Book of Ephesians. We’ll read 5, and the verse is 23,

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
-Ephesians 5:23 New International Version]

Brother Mark: The Bible clarifies what is the one body of Christ which He is the head of. What is Christ the head of? We read, “Christ is the head of the church, his body.” Notice that since God calls people in the one body of Christ, He is calling people in only one church. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not have multiple bodies or multiple churches that He heads. Christ only has one body, which means He only has one church.

Brother Mark: This cannot be avoided or bypassed. People cannot be with God in their own way, just in any church or in any belief that they choose. 

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Do We Need the Church to Be With God?

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Which Church is the body of Christ?

Brother Richie: Now we know that every single church will claim to be the one genuine church that is the body of Christ. But, Brother Mark, since we want what is actually written in the Bible, which church is the actual body of Christ?

Brother Mark: Let us read that answer here. We’ll read together in the Book of Acts, 20 and the verse is 28,

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.
-Acts 20:28 George M. Lamsa’s Translation

Brother Mark: Here, the Bible specifies which church is the body of Christ. What is it called? We read, “church of Christ.” So it is the Church Of Christ that God calls people into to have peace with Him. It is the members of the Church Of Christ who are no longer considered to be His enemies. 

Brother Richie: So why are people no longer considered God’s enemies if they’re inside the Church Of Christ? 

Brother Mark: It’s because of what the Lord Jesus Christ did for His Church.

Brother Richie: What did our Lord Jesus Christ do for the Church?

Brother Mark: The Bible said here, “the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” 

Brother Richie: Now, since our Lord Jesus Christ purchased the Church with His blood, well, what happens to the sins of those inside the Church Of Christ, because we know everyone has committed sin?

The Importance of Christ’s Blood and Forgiveness [13:38] 

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What happens to the sins of those inside the Church Of Christ?

Brother Mark: Let’s read what happens for them in the book of Hebrews. We’ll read 9, and the verse is 22, and also verse 14,

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
-Hebrews 9:22 & 14 New International Version

Brother Mark: Here, we are able to understand the significance of the Church Of Christ because it was purchased with Christ’s blood. What is God’s law regarding blood? We read, “the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood.”

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, since our sins have made us enemies with God, what is needed so that we can have peace with Him? 

Brother Mark: We need the forgiveness of our sins. 

Brother Richie: Well, can we achieve that on our own? 

Brother Mark: No, that’s not the way that God set.

Brother Richie: So what is God’s way? 

Brother Mark: Well, the Bible told us here, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” 

Brother Richie: Well, if it’s shedding of blood that’s needed, can it just be anyone’s blood? 

Brother Mark: It can’t be the blood of a sinner. 

Brother Richie: So whose blood only is able to achieve the forgiveness of sins? 

Brother Mark: Well, the Bible said here, “the blood of Christ.” So since the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ was used to purchase the Church Of Christ, what are the members of the Church Of Christ able to do? We read, “we may serve the living God!” Only those who are called in the biblical Church Of Christ are able to serve God, because they are the ones united with Him.

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Do We Need the Church to Be With God?

Brother Richie: There is no way to bypass this fundamental biblical truth. There’s no fast track or shortcut. People cannot unite with God on their own terms, because people are not the ones who make the terms. True servants of God know and understand that God is the One who makes the rules, laws, and commands that must be obeyed in order to be with Him.

Brother Mark: Now, Brother Richie, and to our dear viewers, once people are inside of the Church Of Christ or become members of it, are they able to have unity with God on their own? 

[16:06] Unity With the Church and Its Administration

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Can we have unity with God on our own once already inside the Church Of Christ?

Brother Richie: You know, that’s a good question. It’s almost like asking, “Is being inside the Church Of Christ the only law that God has made to be with Him?” Well, we can read what is written in I John, chapter 1, the verse is 3. Here it says,

We give you word of all we have seen and everything which has come to our ears, so that you may be united with us; and we are united with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ:
-I John 1:3 Bible in Basic English

Brother Richie: The one speaking here is Apostle John, one of those that God has entrusted to oversee and administer the Church Of Christ in the first century. What did he instruct the members of the Church of Christ? He is the one that said, “be united with us.” 

Brother Mark: Why is it that members of the Church Of Christ should be united with the Church Administration? 

Brother Richie: Well, it was explained, he said because “we are united with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” This is another biblical truth that cannot be bypassed. No one can ever be united with God by bypassing His laws, rules, and His commands. 

Brother Mark: So to build a relationship with the Lord God, people cannot go around, or avoid, or bypass God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, cannot bypass being called into Christ’s body. People can’t bypass becoming a member of the Church Of Christ. And also, we cannot bypass uniting with the Administration of the Church Of Christ. 

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To be with God people cannot bypass:

• God’s Son, Jesus Christ

• Being called in Christ’s body

• Being a member of the Church Of Christ

• Uniting with the Church Administration

Brother Mark: But Brother Richie, for the sake of our viewers, how is it that people are able to unite with the Administration of the Church Of Christ? 

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How can one unite with the Church Administration?

Brother Richie: You know, since we learned that you have to unite with the Church Administration, the question of how is really important, and the Bible does teach how we can do that. We can read here in II Timothy 1:13,

Hold firmly to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you to follow, and remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus.
-II Timothy 1:13 Good News Translation

Brother Richie: Here, Apostle Paul is the one addressing the members of the Church. As part of the Church Administration, what did he teach to keep the brethren united? He said, “Hold firmly to the true words that I taught you.” The true words that the Church Administration teaches are God’s words. 

Brother Mark: When the Bible says to hold on to God’s words, how can one do that? How do we hold on to God’s words? 

Brother Richie: Well, Apostle Paul clarified, he said, “the example for you to follow.” So if we unite with the Church Administration, by following God’s words taught to us, what would we then be able to do? We read, “remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus.” This is the goal, in order to maintain true unity with God and have Him guiding us in our lives. 

Brother Mark: For those listening to these biblical teachings for the first time and feeling mixed emotions—on one hand, angry and confused because it’s very different from what you’ve been told in the past.

Brother Richie: You know, and that’s true. Maybe, on the other hand, grateful and excited because you’re able to actually hear God’s written laws about how to be with Him.

Brother Mark: Whatever emotions we might be carrying, we encourage you to keep listening and learning God’s true teachings. 

What blessing does God lay in store, Brother Richie? What’s the great blessing of the Lord God for those who follow His laws, His rules, and His commands? 

God’s Blessings for Those Who Follow His Will [19:46] 

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What blessings come from following God’s law?

Brother Richie: Well, we can read what is recorded in the Book of Psalms. We’ll read from Psalm 37:3 to 7, and it says this,

Trust the LORD, and do good things. Live in the land, and practice being faithful. Be happy with the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Entrust your ways to the LORD. Trust him, and he will act on your behalf. He will make your righteousness shine like a light, your just cause like the noonday sun. Surrender yourself to the LORD, and wait patiently for him. …
-Psalm 37:3-7 God’s Word

Brother Richie: Here we see the blessings that God wants to give His people. What will God do? We read, “the LORD… will give you the desires of your heart… he will act on your behalf.” This is the life we should all aspire for, a life with God present in our life and guiding us. 

Brother Mark: Who are the ones that God will bless to allow to be with Him? 

Brother Richie: Well, He’s the one that mentioned, “practice being faithful… Entrust your ways to the LORD,” and “surrender yourself to the LORD.” This is what we advise all of us to do. We should all surrender ourselves and trust—trust God’s laws, His rules, and commands written in the Bible, for us to prove our faithfulness to Him. 

Brother Mark: Keep learning more of God’s written words taught here inside the Church Of Christ. Come visit a congregation near you. Or if you want, ask us a question now by clicking the link in the description and inquire how to listen to the basic teachings of the Bible.

Brother Richie: Make sure that your spiritual journey does not stop here. Keep watching and growing with us, and stay constantly tuned in to The Message. 

On behalf of all of us here at The Message, we’re very grateful for you joining us in this episode. But before we conclude, please join us for a short prayer.

Brother Mark: Our loving Father in heaven. Thank You that we were able to receive Your words of truth. You made it very clear to all of us that there is a process that we need to follow for us to have a true relationship with You. So may You bless our hearts and our minds to remember this process that You have taught unto us. And may we put Your will above our own, and help us to follow all of Your commandments. 

If there are any challenges in our way, please help us to be able to overcome all of these so that we will have a true relationship with You inside of the Church Of Christ. May it be that You bless all of our friends and viewers who are joining us. May they also make the right decision to be closer unto You, and may it be that all of us will be able to serve You in spirit and in truth. 

Our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ, thank You for always mediating for us. Please, Lord Jesus, continue to mediate on our behalf and always bring us close to our Father in heaven.

Father in heaven, we have faith that You will bless all of us. You will also bless the Church Administration and help us to always stay united with them, because we believe our unity with the Church Administration is also our unity with You. 

Praise be to You, Father. Thank You for letting us hear Your holy words once again. 

We pray this in the name of our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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