THIS IS NOT THE CHURCH

 

Copyright:123RF Stock Photo 21856734 

 

THIS --------- IS THE CHURCH

Copyright: 123RF Stock Photo 34573807

The church is: fallible human Jesus believers bonded by the Holy Spirt to each other and to God, following a COMMANDMENT of LOVE, Service to others and to live a life that honors God. The building is merely a place for the "called out" to gather.

WHY GO TO CHURCH?

"It affects the spiritual world in ways we cannot know" LL

7 Short Clear Reasons to THINK about

#1 Certainty that you are in the PRESENCE OF GOD:

   God Says He is PRESENT when believers are together in Matthew 18 verse 20 “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (NIV)

# 2 Source of life:

It feeds your spirit by gaining teaching of the word, corporate worship, and prayer with like-minded people. Matthew 4 verse 4 Jesus answered and said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."(NIV)

# 3 Source of Love:

it provides opportunities to build relationships with other believers, to sharpen, encourage, and strengthen each other by prayer, fellowship and LOVE. Building a love relationship with other believers is a commandment from our Lord. "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love." Romans 12:10 (NIV)

# 4 It is a silent testimony to the world:

of your Love and Commitment to God -It's putting to action what you say you care about, walking the walk not just talking (lip service). Matthew 15:8 (NIV)

# 5 It is a accountability tool for you: (to keep you from hypocrisy)

 helping you to measure your life against what you proclaim - in the complete knowledge that others outside and inside the church are watching you - in the hope really - that you are what you say you are. (and yeah --- it does matter what other people think - because life is not ALL ABOUT YOU - as a Child of God - you live for OTHERS and what you do that effects their souls ) Philippians 2:3&4 says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility -- consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also the the interests of others."

# 6 Sign to others :

it’s a physical sign of separation from the world - that you are striving to live a BETTER LIFE - that you Honor God - that you ARE NOT ASHAMED OF CHRIST. Romans 1:16 (NIV)

# 7 It shows honor to God:

by taking TIME out of your busy life and making an EFFORT to go to a designated place to worship. More importantly, its being obedient to God who clearly tells us in his word to not stop gathering together. " Let us not give up meeting together,and all the more as you see the day approaching." Hebrews Chapter 10 verse 25 (NIV)

THINK

Image ID : 13606790StockPhoto ModelReleased: Yes Copyright : Danil Chepko

WHEN TO GO TO CHURCH?

At least ---- once a week. because:

* gives you a regular infusion of spiritual strength and power to combat the enemy

* it immediately becomes an effective witness to others - that God is important to you

* #7 above: it is obeying God who tells us to gather together. Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)

* Your mind needs to be convinced that this is an important part of your life - you do this by scheduling time with God on a REGULAR basis.

 

WHERE TO GO TO CHURCH?

A CURSE from 2000 years ago "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all....... But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemed." Galatians 1:8 (NIV)

Spend TIME looking for a *BIBLE teaching church. UNBELIEVABLY there are churches teaching from false "Bibles" that have purposefully LEFT OUT scriptures that are not politically correct or don't teach who Jesus really is.

If you visit a Church that doesn't even "use" a Bible --- find another Church. Finding a "real" Church is imperative.

there are many many deceivers and the word says in the last days......there will be many many more. Open your eyes and ask God for discernment (the Holy Spirit ability to see TRUTH)

If a church is using "additional revelations" or an “additional teaching”to the Bible that changes what an authentic Bible says RUN AWAY!!!

* Look for a church that follows a translation of the Bible from the original languages-  Aramaic, Greek and Hebrew original documents.  There are bibles for sale and in churches that have been seriously corrupted. Why? GREED - Scripture says in 2nd Timothy 4:2

"For a time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, .......They will gather around ....teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." What does this mean? People don't WANT to hear about sin and things they shouldn't do, they will to go somewhere that will tell them WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR, and Churches with their focus on MONEY and building a large membership, will gladly tell them what they want to hear so they will stay and give their money......Take the time to go to a Bible Bookstore, or search on line and READ the forwards of a few Bibles. Do a little research on who edited the Bible, is it as close to possible a word for word translation, have there been changes in the last 20 years to "correct" translations to something more Modern (politically correct)

CHURCH : the Greek word is "ekklesia" translated to English "a calling out" 

1) The church was created by Christ who ````2) purchased His believers with His blood and ````3) binds them together by the Holy Spirit To believe, repent and receive Jesus -which brings a````4) spiritual cleansing by the blood sacrifice of Jesus - and grants you ````5) the "right" to become a child of God - and ````6) enters your name - YOUR NAME - in the lambs Book of Life

1) Matthew 16:18 ``` 2) 1 Peter 1: 18 & 19``` 3) Ephesians 4:4 ``` 4) 1 John 2:2``` 5) John Chapter 1 vs 12```6) Revelation 21:27