Godly Purpose, Part 1
First published October 19, 2009
Acts 2:46-47
And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
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I recently heard a friend say that he no longer attends church because he led the same life without going to church. There was not purpose in it. Ouch! It hurt even more when I asked myself, “Do I really know what the purpose of the Church is?” I had to be reminded.
First of all, the Church was established by Christ who said in Matthew 16:18, “And I also say that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.” Knowing this makes Jesus Christ the center and focus of its purpose.
It exists to bear witness through the ages of the compassion of God upon His created man through His Son. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10:27, “What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.” And before ascending into heaven he said to the eleven in Matthew 27:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The book of Acts is so important in helping us understand the early church. Notice that the zeal of the apostles seemed unending, as they spread the gospel throughout the known region. As part of the model, we see that apart from his encounter with the appearance of the Lord, Paul’s conversion involved another person, Ananias in Act Chapter 9. And although Paul was a zealous “brainiac”, he attended gatherings of the believers regularly. He did this for the purpose of learning (1 Corinthians 14:26), teaching (Acts 17:19), preaching (Acts 20:20), worshiping (Acts 13:2), and fellowship (Acts 2:42).
This great Godly Purpose had tremendous results: “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.” (Acts 9:31)
Now woven all together, the Church created by Christ for Man, is spectacular evidence of our Creator’s love for us. How more “Wow!” can this get?
Amen.
Copyright 2009, Karen Vaughn
Acts 2:46-47
And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
**** ****
I recently heard a friend say that he no longer attends church because he led the same life without going to church. There was not purpose in it. Ouch! It hurt even more when I asked myself, “Do I really know what the purpose of the Church is?” I had to be reminded.
First of all, the Church was established by Christ who said in Matthew 16:18, “And I also say that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.” Knowing this makes Jesus Christ the center and focus of its purpose.
It exists to bear witness through the ages of the compassion of God upon His created man through His Son. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10:27, “What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.” And before ascending into heaven he said to the eleven in Matthew 27:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The book of Acts is so important in helping us understand the early church. Notice that the zeal of the apostles seemed unending, as they spread the gospel throughout the known region. As part of the model, we see that apart from his encounter with the appearance of the Lord, Paul’s conversion involved another person, Ananias in Act Chapter 9. And although Paul was a zealous “brainiac”, he attended gatherings of the believers regularly. He did this for the purpose of learning (1 Corinthians 14:26), teaching (Acts 17:19), preaching (Acts 20:20), worshiping (Acts 13:2), and fellowship (Acts 2:42).
This great Godly Purpose had tremendous results: “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.” (Acts 9:31)
Now woven all together, the Church created by Christ for Man, is spectacular evidence of our Creator’s love for us. How more “Wow!” can this get?
Amen.
Copyright 2009, Karen Vaughn
posted by Karen Vaughn | 9:25 AM
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