“I KNOW THY WORKS….”---THE WORKING CHURCH OF TODAY!!! Good evening Fb! Today, I am meditating on the Church but specifically a “working church.” I will be meditating in the Book of Revelations (2nd Chapter) The definition of “Church” is the whole body of Christian believers. It is any division of this body professing the same creed and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical (religious) authority or Christian denomination. It is the collective body of all individuals serving the Father our almighty Creator following the teachings of Christ. The “working” church of today has a unique but diligent task of keeping God in the minds, hearts, and souls of its constituents in such a way that it promotes GOD’S WILL & PURPOSE AT ALL TIMES!!! Citing several scriptures for this evening’s spiritual discussion: 1) I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. Revelation 2:2 Spiritual conduct becoming of a person who possesses the “mind of Christ” speaks for itself! We KNOW through application of God’s Word that we are to exemplify character that others can witness to God residing (through the Spirit) within us in our thoughts, speech, and subsequent actions IN THE NAME OF Jesus Christ! (Reference scriptures: 2 Peter 1:5-7 and 2 Timothy 4:5) 2) I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Revelation 2:9 EVERY MAN (AND WOMAN) is afflicted with adversity because this truly tests our faith in God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Being physically “poor” is totally irrelevant when you are spiritually “rich” through God’s good and awesome grace! (Reference scriptures: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10) 3) I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives. Revelation 2:13 Jesus Christ spoke the High Priestly Prayer declaring that he had been a faithful servant of the Father through his teachings to both Jew and Gentile. His intentions for all mankind to be one with our Creator is the foundation of our Christian faith though HIM alone. These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said , Father, the hour is come ; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent . I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do . And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was . I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were , and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. John 17:1-11 4) I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Revelation 2:19 LOVE: “Owe no man any thing, but to LOVE one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 FAITH: “Through FAITH we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:3; 6 SERVICE: "That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care one for another. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." 1 Corinthians 12:25, 27 PERSEVERANCE: “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22 The membership which comprises “The church” is both visible and invisible. The church visible comprises all those individuals throughout the world that profess the true religion. It is called "visible" because its members are known and its assemblies (worship services and the like) are public. Our Creator desired for his chosen heirs to organize into distinct visible religious communities of believers living spiritually disciplined existences for the great purpose of giving visibility to HIS kingdom. This action includes making known the Gospel of that kingdom and attracting all its elect subjects. These communities (which are faithful to the great King) are an important part of the visible church. The church invisible comprises the total number of the elect (or chosen) that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one unit under Jesus Christ. This spiritually pure society is “the body” of Christ. It is called "invisible" because, for the most part, individuals inhabiting this part of the church are already in heaven or haven’t been born yet. They are only known to God and its membership is private. The church (in relation to the promises given by our Lord and Savior) is a spiritual body consisting of all true believers. We all possess our own individual (Godly-inspired) talents which should be utilized for the honor and glory of our Lord! The working church of today is not just confined to a building we worship in on Sundays, but it is an institution encompassing our everyday Christian experience with God the Father through His son (Our Lord and Savior) Jesus Christ! Believer, strengthen your ability to contribute your special talents to YOUR CHURCH in your own special and unique way through the awesome grace of our loving God TODAY and EVERYDAY! Everyone have a very blessed evening!
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 01:59:03 +0000
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