| "The Church Today" |
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On Sunday morning, Pastor Evon started his new series "Walking in
the Footsteps of Jesus". Today's message, which was a prelude for the
series of messages was entitled "The Church Today." Pastor's
scriptural text was from Act 2:1-4, which describes the New
Testament (or "A2" - Acts 2) church. It was started in Jerusalem, probably
because that is where the 120 were gathered in the Upper Room, and it was the
place for Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. As the 120 gathered, they were
in one accord, and the Spirit of the Living God came into the room as tongues of
fire, settling on each one present. They were touched and forever changed,
thus beginning this new spirit-filled church. After this happened to them,
they were used mightily of God and were able to focus on what their call was and
move in the power of God like never before.
Being in the Church means that you belong to God. We are part of a family
and are capable of doing much more together than if we are apart. (i.e. One
can put 1000 to flight, where 2 can put 10,000 to flight). As we move
together, the sky is the limit as to what we can accomplish. Because we are a
family, there will be times when we disagree and have family feuds. However,
we are still family and we need the true grace of Jesus (in forgiveness and
reconciliation) to be extended to one another in the love of Christ. The Acts
2 church was birthed by the Holy Spirit with a focus on souls. God's focus and
His heart is for souls and we are all to be vessels that carry His glory to
reach the lost and help bring them into the Kingdom. Each of us are broken
vessels, but God uses us this way on purpose, for it is then that we depend on
Him completely and not our own abilities or giftings.
The Characteristics of the Church:
1. Faith - they believed and had a personal laying hold of Jesus. People
may know about Jesus, but they must believe in Him.
2. Souls - this is God's focus. Throughout history, persecution and
tough times tends to bring people to God in mass numbers.
In the 1700s, John Wesley was anointed to preach, and thousands
would gather and be saved during the Methodist Revival - which completely
changed the English society at that time. John Wesley had a full
surrender of the Holy Spirit in his life. This was why his ministry was so
effective. He called for
change and repentance and it brought people back to the basics
and foundational truths. This is what made most of the great men and women of
God so
effective throughout history.
3. Fellowship and unity. Stay plugged in because the enemy attacks us
when we are separated and alone. It's about all of us together, allowing the
Holy
Spirit to flow in and through each of us in unity with each
other. In 1 Cor. 12, it states that "when one part of the Body hurts, the rest
hurts too."
4. Consecration and Holiness (meaning set apart). We are holy because we
exist in His Holiness - no other reason than that. God puts His finger on
all
parts of our life and wants us to deal with it. This is a process
that continues as long as we live.
5. Empowerment - The New Testament, Acts 2 church was marked by power.
It was known because of the difference it made. God uses everyone and
empowers us to do whatever He's called us to do. For an
impartation of empowerment, we invite the Holy Spirit to come and let Him change
us. We must
yearn for and be so thirsty for more of God, that we are willing to
be totally obedient to whatever He requires of us.
 
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