Perspective:-
CONCERN FOR THE CHURCHES
AApostle Paul’s life and service have been a challenge and inspiration to believers down through the centuries. One of his examples that we urgently need to emulate is his concern and selfless contribution for the churches of Christ. Because this is an area of Christian ministry quite often many neglect knowingly or unknowingly.
While narrating his sufferings for Christ as a cross cultural missionary, Paul writes at the end, “Besides the other things what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2Corinthians 11:28). That means, more than the physical and mental troubles he faced from various quarters, his concern for the local churches burdened him constantly. Day and night his mind had been filled with various matters pertaining to the local assemblies in different localities.
Concern Reflected
We can notice his burden for the churches being reflected in three different ways: -
a. His preaching
b. His teaching
c. His self-sacrifice
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Do we love and care for the Church? What is the goal of our spiritual activities? Is to build up the church of Christ or something else? What is our contribution in the establishment and strengthening of local assemblies? Our loyalty and involvement for the church proves our love and appreciation for Christ. Let us do what the Lord is deeply...... >>>More
Outline:-
FACTS ABOUT THE FIRST ASSEMBLY (ACTS 2)
Genesis chapter 2 is about the beginning of Adam, and Exodus chapter 2 is about the Birth of Moses. Luke as a beloved physician gave the birth certificate of Lord Jesus Christ in Luke chapter 2. As a historian in Acts chapter 2 gave birth (beginning) details of FIRST ASSEMBLY.
Therefore, Acts Chapter 2 is a very important chapter for understanding ASSEMBLY FOUNDATION, FORMATION, AND FUNCTIONS. So, every reader must carefully go through this chapter.
- FOUNDATION OF THE FIRST ASSEMBLY
The First Assembly that was established in Jerusalem was founded on the:
- GRACE OF GOD,
- Preaching about the GIFT OF JESUS CHRIST and under the
- GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
- FORMATION OF THE FIRST ASSEMBLY
When they heard the preaching of Peter:
- ‘They were cut to the heart' (v. 37) i.e., SOUND CONVERSION,
- They were baptized (v. 41) i.e., SYMBOLIC CONFESSION and
- They were added (v. 41) i.e., SINCERE COMMENDATION
III. FUNCTIONS OF THE FIRST ASSEMBLY
They continued steadfastly in the:
- APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE i.e., SAINTLY CONDUCT
- FELLOWSHIP i.e., SWEET COMPANIONSHIP
- BREAKING OF BREAD i.e., SOLEMN COMMEMORATION
- PRAYER i.e., SACRED COMMUNION
So, whenever and wherever an assembly is established whether in Kerala, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, New York, Durban and London etc., it must be founded on these three principles.
By Bro. David Manchala, Hyderabad
Anecdote: -
DON’T FORGET YOUR PURPOSE
A preacher was in Atlanta, several years ago, and noticed in the restaurants section of the Yellow Pages, an entry for a place called Church of God Grill. The peculiar name aroused his curiosity and he dialed the number. A man answered with a cheery, “Hello! Church of God Grill!”
The preacher asked how that restaurant had been given such an unusual name, and the man said: “Well, we had a little mission down here, and we started selling chicken dinners after church on Sunday to help pay the bills. Well, people liked the chicken, and we did such a good business, that eventually we cut back on the church service. After a while we just closed down the church altogether and kept on serving chicken dinners. We kept the name we started with, and that’s Church of God Grill.”
— Source: Charles Paul Conn
Exhortation: -
CHRIST AND THE CHURCH
One of the sad realities of present-day Christendom is the gross neglect of Christ’s ownership and authority in His church. Many are ignorant of the basic church truths; at the same time, those who are aware of it neglect it for one reason or another. And the result is the utter misrepresentation of the church of Christ in this world. The world views the church in different ways. Even in certain cases, we may have to doubt the very presence of the Lord Jesus Christ among certain congregations as in Laodicea, Rev 3:20.
We must always remember the Lord Jesus who said, “I will build my church” is definitely doing it, Matthew 16: 18. The inauguration of this building up of the church began on the day of Pentecost and will continue till the day of rapture when the Lord Himself will descend from heaven and take away His people to be with Him. Cf. Act 2:15, 47; 1 Cor 12:13; 1 Thess 4:16, 17.
According to Mark, the gospel writer, even after His ascension the Lord Jesus Christ continued to work with the apostles, Mark 16:20. Further, through the book of Revelation, the risen Lord Jesus unveils not only the facts of the future programs but also of what He is doing for the church in this present age, Rev 1:11, 19.
Many approach the book of Revelation to know about the things to come. That is not bad, but we should not neglect the main topic given at the beginning of the book. Every local church should periodically go through the first three chapters to keep themselves familiar with the role of Christ in His churches today. The Lord specifically instructs John the Apostle to write what he sees and send it to the seven local churches. Those messages are very much relevant even today. Let us consider four general principles found........ >>>More
Gospel -
Consider
By Aby Kuruvilla, Mumbai
Consider the universe, its vastness, its majesty, and the wonders of it. Consider the precise position and movement of our planet within the solar system. Consider the preservation of our insignificant planet in the universe.
The psalmist says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard” (Ps. 19:1-3).
Great Universe
This great universe points to a God who is apart from and greater than all the visible and invisible things in it. Consider the glory of this God. The psalmist says, “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.” (Ps. 8:1). He is Absolute and Almighty.
But this God does also look upon the insignificant things of our earth. “Consider the ravens: for they
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Worthy Quotes:-
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