Introduction
In Western society, our underlying philosophy is expressive individualism. This is a fancy term, but it means a couple of simple things. First, we believe that personal expression is more important than sacrificing our preferences for the benefit of a group. People say things like “Be true to yourself” and “You do you.” Authenticity has the highest value. Second, expressive individualism is anti-institutional. In other words, you shouldn’t trust any of the major institutions in our society (schools, the government, the medical establishment, churches, etc.). Third, it holds to the idea that you are only strong when you are completely independent of all social bonds. You need to be strong enough to do life 100% on your own.

In Ephesians 3, Paul discusses the church's importance to followers of Christ and society at large. This counters the narrative of our present age that we can do life alone.

Today’s Scripture
Ephesians 3:10-11 (New Living Translation)

"God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Explanation and Reflection
Paul loves the church.

1. The Church is the Primary Vehicle for Sharing the Gospel
   We are still in a section of Ephesians where Paul is talking about evangelism. The church is a big part of that. According to Paul, God uses the church to “display his wisdom in its rich variety” to the world. The way of Jesus, taught, shared, and lived out collectively in community, is a “city on a hill” and a “lamp on a stand” (Matthew 5:14-16). We do evangelism together, not alone.
2. The Church is Bigger than Gospel Exposure
   The church is not just about hearing the Good News, coming to faith, and being done. It is meant to be the primary social support system in a believer’s life. To put it bluntly, the church is not optional for followers of Christ. The authors of the New Testament had no vision of life without the church. The New Testament describes the church as the “household of God” (1 Timothy 3:15). You have a family, and you are expected to participate in it in a socially meaningful and deep way.
3. The Church is the Imperfect Yet Beautiful Bride of Christ
   We live in an age of church scandals, church hurt, and messy church life. If you look at church history, including the New Testament, this has always been true. This is not to make excuses for bad behavior or bad people, nor does this give the church license to continue in any form of immorality. The church should strive for moral excellence, integrity, and consistency with the teachings and life of Jesus. However, it always has and always will be an imperfect bride. Yet, it is and always will be the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-30) and worthy of our time, money, energy, attention, and talents.
4. The Church is God’s Primary Place for Maturing Believers
   The process of becoming a mature Christian is called sanctification. It means “to be set apart” and conveys the idea of being used according to the designer's design. Sanctification happens to us through many private means, such as listening to good teaching, reading God’s Word, praying, and other spiritual disciplines. However, another tool God wants to use to mature us is community. This includes family members, problematic peers at work, friends from college, and many other social engagements. Among these groups, the most significant one that God wants to use is your church. We mature when we weekly rub shoulders with other believers in the context of large and smaller gatherings. The Holy Spirit works miraculously when we laugh, cry, challenge, and support our brothers and sisters in Christ. Christianity is not a solo sport.
5. The Church Wants Your Gifts
   Notice the term “wants” used here. God does not need you. Independent of you or me, God will fulfill his plans. Why would you not want to be a part of God’s big, beautiful plans? The God who created the heavens and the earth, raised Christ from the dead, and will come to judge the living and the dead wants you to participate in his kingdom through the local church. He gave every believer gifts to bless other people in the body of Christ. When you aren’t using your gifts regularly at church, you rob God of worship, others of your talents, and yourself of transformation.
   An old saying by the early church fathers says, “You can’t have God as your Father if you don’t have the church as your mother.” Healthy, committed, and regular participation in church is not optional for those who claim Christ as Lord. It’s critical for advancing God’s kingdom and maturing you as a believer.

Question of the Day
Here's a question for you to think about and apply:
What is your relationship with the church? Are you engaged in a regular, committed, healthy way? What gaps do you have in your involvement, and how can you improve them?