The Church: God’s Wonderful Design for His People
The glorious, overcoming Church that Jesus is building is these last days is
exciting. We should never be afraid to join ourselves to something so wonderful,
something so full of adventure, so alive, powerful and God-given.
- We Need the Church For Spiritual Safety
Acts 20:28-31 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the
Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which
he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will
come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number
men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after
them. 31 So be on your guard! (See also Heb 13:17, Eph 4:14)
We Need the Church For Spiritual Accountability
Heb 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called
"Today," lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin. (See also James 5:16, Heb 13:17)
We Need the Church For Spiritual Fellowship
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to
the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. See also Heb.
10:25
We Need The Church For Spiritual Deployment
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be
prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of
Christ may be built up.
2 Tim 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift
of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (See also
Acts 13:1-3, Acts 6:5-6)
We Need The Church For Spiritual Direction
Phil 3:14-17 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward
call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are
mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God
will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we
have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the
same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those
who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
Eph 5:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up
for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (See also 1 Cor
11:1, Heb 12:1-3, 1 Thess 2:14)
For Spiritual maturity
1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by
it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord
is good.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Heb 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on
to maturity (See also Col 2:6-7, Eph 4:11-13
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"Growing up in a Catholic church, with a traditional family, I lacked a true passion for knowing Christ. I came to know Jesus in 1996 at Evangel Community Church, where Pastor Mark’s word and ministry introduced me to living in Christ daily.
Then in 1999 I began to date my future husband. One year later, he too gave his life to Christ. Since then, God has been the foundation in our relationship to our marriage.
Pastor Mark’s ministry is a daily reminder that Christ is not finished with us yet."
-Jennifer Davis with her husband, Greg.
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