WHAT IS THE CHURCH? PART 1

We introduced this topic in a Blog on June 2nd. Throughout the Summer we have been preaching about what it means to be God's Church! Part 1 of this Series covers the Relationship aspect of the Church in 4 Sermons. These featured the Church as a Family, a Bride (in 2 Sermons!) and a Body! Relationships are SO VALUABLE to God!

As a FAMILY, we are connected to each other through our New Birth. God adopts us into His Family when we surrender our hearts and lives to Christ. We become Children of God (before this, we are His Creations but not His Children). It's so special to be welcomed into His Holy Family as a Full-fledged member with all the privileges that go along with that (Having His Guidance, Love, Protection, and Blessings). It includes knowing that we are bound for Heaven when this life is over! This connects us with all other born-again believers in Christ as our brothers and sisters. It's a huge family that includes every Christian in our local Church, all Christians across the United States and around the World, AND all the Saints who have ever lived throughout all of History!

As a BRIDE, we recognize that the Lord uses the analogy of Marriage to help us more fully understand the Love Jesus has for us. We see how He values us, giving His life for His Bride to cleanse her and purify her. Jesus does this for us as individual believers as well as for His Church. He loves us so much that He will not let us remain in the flawed condition in which He found us! Instead, He sets us apart and makes us Holy, which brings great pleasure to Him and deep satisfaction to us! We have been assured that He will someday return for a spotless Bride, without blemish or wrinkle! He is coming back to make everything right with His Church and the World!

As a BODY, we are reminded that we are the hands and feet, eyes and ears of Jesus in a hurting world! He is the HEAD, meaning He is the Lord who gives guidance and direction to His Body. We are the BODY, which means several things. We are individually representing Jesus to the world. But in addition, our Local Church, our Denomination, Every Other Christian Denomination, and the whole World-Wide Church is also on a Mission to show Who He is to a Lost Planet! It's quite an assignment! We are to discover the Spiritual Gifts He has specifically given every Believer, and then put them into practice in our own unique way as a Member of His Body!

So how do you fit into the Relationship God has designed for His Church? Are you a member of His Family through the New Birth? Are you being shaped as a Bride by a loving Husband (the Lord) into a beautiful, spotless Bride? Have you found your place in the Body of Christ to spread the Good News of His Love to this Wounded World? Have you found a Local Church where you can develop fully into the person God created you to be? If not, we'd love to have you join us here @ Komstad Covenant Church!