Camp22 - Lawrence - Representing God as a Church

Representing God as a Church

The church was spoken of in the New Testament. That is where it started. And here is God's commitment to the church

Verse: Matthew 16:18

18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

How do you be part of the church? Simply by declaring (confessing)

Verse: Romans 10:9‭-‬10

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

And here is privilege of being part of the church - you are a child of God

Verse: John 1:12

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Our life flows out of our faith. So it is important to know what you believe is right. The Thessalonians accepted the word of God through Faith

Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:6

6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.

Faith in Christ brings transformation and opposition

So is confession just enough? There were demons who confessed the who God was.

Verse: Mark 5:7

With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!”

 It is important to follow God after confession. Following also means being disciples. 

And disciples makes more disciples..... 

As image bearing Church we are called to do this. The Holy Spirit is the one that enables us and the Holy Spirit is for every believer.

Verse: Acts 19:2

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

And the local church becomes powerful through the Word of God

Verse: Acts 19:10

This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.

This was so powerful that people throughout Asia heard the Word of God. Again the church influence spread far and wide... see verse below

Verse: Acts 19:20 

So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.

As a church we need to continue representing God and not loose sight. If we fall short of in our love, we don't represent God.  

Verse: Revelation 2:4

“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!

We need to come back so that our lampstand is restored.

Verse: Revelation 2:5

Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

Lampstand represent light for our us and the community around us. We affect the community in a strong way.

As a body of Christ, we are lighthouse and a blessing to our community

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