What is a Church?
How can a Church, an ideal Christian church, be described using the fewest words possible?
"A Bible fellowship!"
The church is a group of people striving together to live life as described in God’s Word.
This is the all encompassing goal of the church. The individual has no need to ask the question, "What is God’s will is for me?" God’s word is God’s will. It does not change. It was the same for all those seekers who have come before and all who will continue after.
To grow as result of obedience is genuine selfless growth. Growth in response to the arrival of broken people sent to a faithful church family is a truly awesome process. It is evidence of God’s truth compassionately presented to our community. We can rejoice in these new opportunities here and in other countries!
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:13-26
Interesting article from the not to distant past.
God has a plan and with obedience and humility we can bring it to bear good fruit.
