Local

When they had finished distributing the several territories of the land as inheritances, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. 50 By command of the Lord, they gave him the city that he asked, Timnath-Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he rebuilt the city and settled in it. 51 These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel distributed by lot at Shiloh before the Lord, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. So they finished dividing the land. Joshua 19:49-51 (ESV)

I am sure that you have heard the phrase "Support local." That has come to mean everything from "Eat local," "shop local," and "Buy local" Of late for me, it has been of sorts a phrase I have heard in the church community of "Return to the local church." 

This week, I was reminded of the historical significance of our "local" family of faith here at Union Avenue. During the Easter morning service, I thanked those in attendance for being a part of a local historical gathering of Resurrection celebration for 120 years at this location in MidTown, Memphis.

On Monday morning, I received a weekly email update from Baptist Press, yet again reminding me of Union Avenue Baptist's significance as part of a local congregation of faith within the Southern Baptist Convention. The email was titled "On this day in History" On April 20, 1984, Ramsey Pollard died in Memphis, Tn, after a brief illness. The article shared his service to the SBC as convention president (1960-1961) and TBC president (1954). He served as Pastor at Broadway Baptist, Knoxville, for 22 years, before coming to Memphis as Pastor of Bellevue Baptist (1960-1972). The article then noted that following his retirement from Bellevue, Ramsey served as a revival preacher, adjunct professor, and interim pastor at several congregations in the MidSouth. His last interim was at Union Avenue Baptist, Memphis proceeding his death. 

A fair question is, "Why are you sharing this, and what does it have to do with the land inheritance in Joshua 19?" Friends, Joshua 19 concludes with final allocations of the promised land. All the land was distributed locally, and understood that those who inherited the land would protect it and maintain God's work. Some achieved that goal, and some did not. Joshua was the last to receive a portion. When he did, the text tells us that he "rebuilt the city and settled in it" It may be a stretch. Still, for the benefit of this writing, I believe that Joshua fulfilled his task of beginning the concept of "Support Local." 

The word translated as "church" is used 114 times in the New Testament. Ninety of those uses refer to a local church in a specific city or an area. The New Testament defines the local church as a local body of baptized believers. If we want to follow Christ, His church must be central to our lives as disciples. The church is God's conduit to bless both individual believers and nations. 

God's mission in the world is carried out through the agency of His church. You simply cannot be a devoted disciple of Christ, and you cannot fully make disciples of Christ apart from total commitment to a local church. Paul names here the seven fundamental spiritual realities that unite all true Christians.

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Ephesians 4:4-7

When thinking about the importance of the local church and the inheritance afforded its members, Paul is correct about the body of fellowship we should "Support local." 

Friends, Jesus has given the church the incredible privilege of knowing His truth, imitating His character, and displaying His fullness. The mission of Christ is completed through the obedience of His church. And love is the distinguishing mark of that mission. Therefore, we love those inside the church and share the love of Christ with the world by proclaiming His Gospel.

Return to your local church; you have been missed! Support local.