God's Church Part 1

 

God’s Church Part 1

 

The word translated church in the New Testament is the word ecclesia which means a gathering of the called-out ones. We tend to think as an institution or as what the church as an institution believes or does. God sees the church in terms of relationship, as to who we are.

 

How does the Bible define God’s church?

 

In Matthew 4:19 Jesus calls Andrew & Peter to follow Him. So, the church is people who follow not rules or religious traditions, but a person, Jesus. It is not about rules but relationship.

 

Raise the Roof & Remove the Walls is about following Jesus.

 

Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayers and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” So, the church is people who rely upon Jesus & not themselves or the things of the world.

 

Raise the Roof & Remove the Walls is about depending on Jesus as our Savior, Lord, & Provider.

 

James 1:18 says, “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” Firstfruits is the best. We as the firstfruits of all God’s creatures. The church is people who know that we are precious to God.

 

Raise the Roof & Remove the Walls is about seeing ourselves as being God’s beloved as His human creation.

 

Galatians 5:24 says, “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” The church is people who have their sin burdens nailed to the cross. When Jesus died, He took our sin & the guilty of our sin with Him and gave us His righteousness.  

 

Raise the Roof & Remove the Walls is about recking yourself to sin & alive to Jesus.

 

Church is not rules to make people perfect.

Church is imperfect people made righteous by Jesus forming a community of faith to help others come to Jesus & make Him Lord of their lives.

 

Raise the Roof & Remove the Walls,

                          Joe