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The Bible tells us that the Church is a House where God lives - through His Word, by His Spirit. “…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit” (Ephesians 2:20-22). It is a place of salvation, healing, deliverance, protection and all of God’s blessings. Many people attend church every week but how many of them are there to see Jesus? Many come to church to negotiate business. Some come to church in search of marriage partners. Some come to church to meet friends and relations that they have been eager to see for a long time. Different things bring people to church. How many actually come to church to see Jesus? People today move around churches instead of moving around Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church. The essence of the true church is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Therefore, our attendance at our local church is merely symbolic. What counts is Christ in you – the hope of glory. Are you born again? Are you a believer in Christ Jesus? If you come to church, you must show your faith as someone who wants to see Jesus. “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people" (2 Corinthians 6:16). The church is made up of those who are truly born again – followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. You must be reborn by a spiritual miracle to become a member of the true Church of Jesus Christ. To be born again, the believer must first die with Christ and then resurrect with Him. When we resurrect in Him, we live in Him and have our being in Him (Acts 17:28). Unless we die with Christ, we cannot put on the new life in Christ Jesus. The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all mankind (Mark 16:15-18). Good News is the message of righteousness (right standing with God). When you hear this message, it will cause your faith to rise up in your heart. In the message of righteousness, there is no judgment or condemnation (Romans 8:1). What a rare privilege to tell the sweet story of our Lord Jesus Christ and His love – to speak of His power to forgive, His power to save, His power to deliver and His power to heal! Amen! |
A Shepherds Heart |