Six + One

 Exodus 25:32 - "And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side."

Exodus 25:37 - "You shall make seven lamps for it..."

The lampstand was to have one post up the center, itself holding a lamp on the top. In three places on this center shaft, two branches would extend - one from either side. Altogether, this made for six branches, and seven lamps.

This is how incredible this blueprint for the local church is: From this one fact (six branches, seven lamps) we can see four major biblical doctrines that apply to every local church congregation!

He Is The Vine, We Are The Branches

John 15:5 - "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without Me you can do nothing." 

Jesus is that center post. We are the six branches. 

Churches need to pay attention to that last sentence in verse 5 - "without Me you can do nothing." No ministry, no matter how successful, can produce good fruit without Him. Even if a minister is skilled at what they do, even if they're charismatic and can draw a crowd; that will not matter in eternity! Only work done in Him will bring everlasting rewards.

#1 - True churches abide in Jesus, and produce fruit from their relationship with Him.

Gathered In His Name

Matthew 18:20 - "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

This is the very definition of a true church; it is a group of believers gathered together in Jesus' name. This is why HE is the center of the lampstand - Jesus must be at the center of everything that we do. 
 - Every local outreach to the community
 - Every song that we sing
 - Every message that's preached
 - Every dinner
 - Every word, every action, every thing that we do

There are too many religious groups out there (I can't legitimately call them "churches") that are obsessed with making a name for themselves. They're focused on their reputation in the community. They seek to draw in a crowd to themselves, to fill their seats. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, "Whatever you do to draw the crowd, you have to continue doing to keep them." That's not church, my friends - that a religious club. 

#2 - True churches do everything in Jesus' name and for His glory.

Making One Out Of The Two

Notice that there two clear distinctions of three branches on the one side, and three branches on the other side. 

Normally, this kind of observed pattern would be interesting to note - but not really biblically authoritative. But in this case, Exodus 25:32 doesn't just say "there are six branches" - it specifically mentions three on one side, and three on the other. The Bible describes two groups, of three branches each, that come together in one center post.

What does this mean for the church? It means that whatever area humanity can be divided into two groups, Jesus brings us back together again in His church! Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

No matter how the world tries to divide us:
 - Racially ("Neither Jew nor Greek")
 - Economically ("Neither slave nor free")
 - Along gender lines ("Neither male nor female")
 - Even extending all the way down to interests (i.e those who like football, and those who don't)
In Christ, we become one again!

There is no greater unity that mankind can achieve than when a group of believers lay down their differences and gather together in Jesus' name!

#3 - True churches don't take part in the cultural divisions of the world around them.

Turning Our Six Into Seven

Six is the number of man (Revelation 13:18). Specifically, it is the number of fallen man. It's one short of the perfect number seven. Romans 3:23 speaks of this when it says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".

The fact that we are represented by six branches on the lampstand implies this: The church is composed of imperfect people. Don't be concerned when you start seeing flaws in your fellow congregation members. The closer they get to you, the more they'll see your flaws too! Don't run from this.

This is why Colossians 3:13 (NLT) tells us: "Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." As part of a congregation of imperfect people, we need to cut each other some slack.

But here's the cool part: Even though there were six branches on the lampstand, there are seven lamps. The center post is itself a lamp! You see where I'm going with this, don't you? Jesus didn't leave us as a six - by being joined to us, He makes us a seven! This is righteousness!

Jesus wasn't interested in leaving me in a fallen state. As imperfect as I am, I've been made righteous. And what's more, this same righteousness also applies to my brothers and sisters in Christ. 
 - I'm made righteous by faith in Jesus Christ
 - That brother that offended me is also made righteous by faith in Jesus Christ
This kind of righteousness - not based on works, but on faith - is a great equalizer in the local church.

#4 - True churches are made of imperfect people who have all been made righteous by grace through faith.

So much powerful truth from this one detail on our blueprint!