by: Pastor Lonnie Phillips
What is the role of the Local Church in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ?
The role is to be:
1) A people Empowered by the Holy Spirit and under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18 and John 15)
2) a people called to sharpen one another through the word of God.(Proverbs 27:17)
3) an intentional gathering where God's people are being stirred to love in the sacrificial love of Christ and good deeds as they see the day drawing near(Hebrews 10:24)
4) a house of Prayer where God's people are presenting their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is their spiritual worship.(Matthew 21:13, Romans 12:1)
5) the gathering together where there is communion being taken in order to remind God's people of God's continual grace given through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:19)
6) A pillar and support of truth whereby the world has the opportunity to be drawn to Jesus who is The way, the Truth and the life.(1 Timothy 3:15)
7) a called out people where the disciples are being equipped for every work of service (Ephesians 4:11)
8) About the mission of Jesus in a world lost and in need of God's grace and truth (Matthew 28:18-20)
As imperfect as the local church is, it is never an option for a disciple of Jesus Christ to forsake the local gathering together thinking that they can do without. The Local Church is imperfect because we are there but it is being perfected in Christ Jesus because He is present and He will never forsake His own Body!
What is the role of the Local Church in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ?
The role is to be:
1) A people Empowered by the Holy Spirit and under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18 and John 15)
2) a people called to sharpen one another through the word of God.(Proverbs 27:17)
3) an intentional gathering where God's people are being stirred to love in the sacrificial love of Christ and good deeds as they see the day drawing near(Hebrews 10:24)
4) a house of Prayer where God's people are presenting their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is their spiritual worship.(Matthew 21:13, Romans 12:1)
5) the gathering together where there is communion being taken in order to remind God's people of God's continual grace given through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:19)
6) A pillar and support of truth whereby the world has the opportunity to be drawn to Jesus who is The way, the Truth and the life.(1 Timothy 3:15)
7) a called out people where the disciples are being equipped for every work of service (Ephesians 4:11)
8) About the mission of Jesus in a world lost and in need of God's grace and truth (Matthew 28:18-20)
As imperfect as the local church is, it is never an option for a disciple of Jesus Christ to forsake the local gathering together thinking that they can do without. The Local Church is imperfect because we are there but it is being perfected in Christ Jesus because He is present and He will never forsake His own Body!