Christocecentric meal treating the Church with honor part 2
Dr. Abel Damina, a renowned teacher, author, and founder of Power City International, has established himself as one of the leading voices in Christ-centered teaching, particularly in the realm of understanding the Church, its purpose, and how believers ought to engage with it. One of his popular teachings titled “Treating the Church With Honor Part 2” (part of an ongoing series) delves into the significance of believers understanding the Church’s role as the body of Christ and living in alignment with the respect and honor that God expects.In this teaching, Dr. Abel Damina emphasizes that the Church is not a mere physical structure or institution but rather the spiritual gathering of believers, whom the Bible refers to as the ekklesia—a called-out people. He highlights that Christ Himself is the head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23), and therefore, how believers treat the Church is synonymous with how they treat Christ. This understanding forms the foundation for believers to hold the Church in high regard, not as an organization, but as the living, breathing representation of Christ on Earth.
Key Points From the Teaching:
1. The Church as the Body of Christ:
Dr. Damina underscores that the Church, as described in Scripture (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), is the body of Christ. Every believer forms a unique and vital part of that body. Treating the Church with honor, therefore, means treating fellow believers—regardless of their position, gifting, or role—with respect, love, and humility. He points to passages such as Romans 12:10, which calls believers to “be devoted to one another in love” and to “honor one another above yourselves.”
2. Understanding the Ministry of Christ Through the Church:
According to Dr. Damina, Christ works His ministry on Earth through His body—the Church. He explains that dishonoring the Church equates to dishonoring Christ’s work. For instance, when believers gossip, criticize, or tear one another down, they work against the unity and purpose of the body. Conversely, when believers edify, support, and respect the Church, they actively partner with Christ’s ongoing ministry to reconcile the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
3. Serving the Church as Service to Christ:
Dr. Damina teaches that service within the Church—whether it be through ministry, acts of kindness, or giving—is ultimately service rendered to Christ. In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul reminds believers to “work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” This means every act done for the body of Christ—no matter how small—carries eternal value. Treating the Church with honor includes serving faithfully, cheerfully, and sacrificially, knowing that such service pleases the Lord.
4. Avoiding Division and Cultivating Unity:
Dr. Damina emphasizes the importance of unity within the Church, referencing Scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 1:10, where Paul urges believers to “be perfectly united in mind and thought.” Division and dishonor grieve the Holy Spirit and hinder the effectiveness of the Church’s witness. Believers are encouraged to pursue reconciliation, avoid strife, and maintain peace, understanding that the world sees Christ through the unity of His followers (John 13:35).
5. Honoring Spiritual Leadership:
In this teaching, Dr. Damina also addresses the importance of respecting spiritual leaders—those whom God has appointed to shepherd and teach the flock (Ephesians 4:11-13). He clarifies that honoring leadership is not about idolizing or blindly following
