Duh---What exactly is 'the church' anyway?

What is the church?

  1. A church is the ecclesia—which means, the called out ones.  The Church in essence is the called out ones.  What is the church called out from?  What is the church called out to?
  2. Called out from:  
    1. The church is called out from life dominated by sin to life dominated by grace.
    2. The church is called out from the world’s way of doing things.  The world is controlled for a short season longer by Satan and demonic forces.  The church is called out from that domination.
    3. The church is called out from selfishness, egotism, narcissism, laziness, immorality, 
  3. Called out to;
    1. Love unconditionally.  
    2. Show mercy, humility and justice.
    3. To serve and help the hurting, the lost, the politician, the rich, the poor, the immoral, the lonely.

The Church is an organism formed/created by the actions of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NLT)  “Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.”  This miraculous, mystical event happens when individuals repent of sin, look to Christ for forgiveness of sins, and seek to honour Christ.  

This mystical organic manifestation of Divine Love —the church—receives ongoing
  • Grace—through Christ’s effective and perfect sacrifice
  • Empowerment—through the indwelling Holy Spirit
  • Revelation—through the instruction of the Holy Spirit

The church is simply fantastic!  It is a foretaste of the believer’s eternal destination and purpose.  The church has no race, age, gender, or ethnic barriers.  By the power of Christ, all believers are part of the church —and live in supernatural unity and love.  The church fulfills Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-21 (NLT)  “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.  I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.


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