The Church Part 2

16th March, 2018


In the previous study, we discussed the first 3 points:
1. The Church is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
2. The Church is the body of Christ.
3. The Head of the Church is Jesus Christ.


In this study we discussed points 4, 5 and 6.




4. The Church is a constitution of true believers, born again of
    the Holy Spirit.
    John 3:6  'Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.'
   
   Discussion on why splits happen within churches: power, ego,
   difference in vision, lack of humility...... because of fleshly desires.


   But we cannot have one foot in the world and one foot in the Bible.
   Colossians 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17  and   1 Peter 4:2   remind us that
   the old person has been put to death, including all fleshly desires.
   In the ideal church, there is harmony, one vision (God's vision),
   people open to correction, humility.... God came to build a spiritual
   church.


   Our church's vision is to WIN, BUILD and SEND.




5. The believers are also born of the Word.
     1 Peter 1:22-23 (NKJV)

The Enduring Word

²² Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit^[a]
    in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
  ²³ having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through
     the word of God which lives and abides forever,^[b]








      We can see the Holy Spirit is coming in again. The true Church is born
       of the Word of God. What is of the flesh will die on day.
      The Word speaks to us, breaks lies, strongholds, .... and the Word
       remains forever.




6. The believers also live an overcoming life.
     Ephesians 5:27
     ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having
        spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and
        without blemish.
 
    To achieve this we must be overcomers in our walk with God.
    
     Revelations 21:27







The Church and The Members.
1 Corinthians 12:7-12
This passage talks about the spiritual gifts.
The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one and is
for the benefit of everyone.




Interesting to note that wisdom and knowledge are together
What is the difference?
Knowledge is knowing but wisdom is knowing with understanding.
God can give one person knowledge and give a different person
the wisdom to understand that knowledge. Knowing alone could be
dangerous.
As a Church we should use these gifts to edify and build each other up.



Faith and healing are also put together.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (Faith is a gift from God)
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes
to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those
who diligently seek Him.


Each of us has been given a portion of faith. We can operate
in faith and build each other up in faith. We pray for healing in faith.




Miracles includes healing. Other miracles are...
changes in government policies, seeing unbelievers start believing,
being kept away from a car crash.....




We should desire these gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:7-12