A “happy church” is a joy to see. Believers are allowed to fully share and grow together under the loving guidance and care of a pastor who does his or her best to walk with the Father and serve our Lord Jesus Christ. But what about the times when Satan deceives spiritual leaders?
I remember our two-year-old son standing in my size-13 shoes. Sometimes kids want to grow up fast, overnight. But that’s not how most things work in real life. Plants take a while to grow, in stages. The same is physically true of animals and people. Jesus Christ worked lovingly and patiently with Peter to help him grow in commitment over time.
Believers Who Teach Us God’s Word
There are none just quite like them,
When you hear them, you’ll know what’s occurred,
For there’s fire and love and kindness,
In believers who teach us God’s Word.
We’ve seen that the church is an organic and growing, spiritual reality with Christ as its foundation. Jesus Christ made his heavenly Father the source and center of all he did. Today Christ is the head of the church, the body of Christ.
During his earthly ministry, Jesus Christ set the foundation for leadership and service to God. He taught his twelve apostles how to lead. They became the genuine leaders in the early church.
![th[5]](https://i0.wp.com/www.freedomlifelight.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/th5.jpg?resize=170%2C127&ssl=1)
I went for a run this morning along the ocean. At Point Fermin Park, I noticed a couple with a remote control glider. The operator controlled every move the glider made with the help of a rudder, ailerons, and a small engine. Then I saw a sea gull fly by. It glided, swooped, and continued on its natural path northward. They both flew, they both had direction—and they reminded me of the church today.
Coaching my son’s soccer team had a great many learning moments for me. One thing that I remember clearly was that each player had their own strengths: