Day 4 -- The Church

For the record and your review let me state the 16 principles I have gleaned from Scripture on the nature and work of the church. Here they are:

1. The church has some very hard work to do. Fields don’t plant themselves and the harvest doesn’t happen without some hard work. The church has been given the specific spiritual task of sowing, planting, and harvesting.
2. The church has the immense responsibility of preparing the soil, planting the seed, watering the plants, and harvesting the fruit at the appropriate time.
3. The church can only function when it is connected to Jesus. Without Him we can do nothing. When we take our focus away from Jesus we begin to wither and die.
4. The church must understand its relationship to Jesus and learn to recognize His voice. Ultimately, the church is charged with hearing and obeying Jesus.
5. The church is to exhibit the love, care, honor, loyalty, and intimacy that are found in healthy family relationships. We are to take care of each other.
6. The church is to fully accept anyone that God calls family. We don’t choose our brothers or sisters or parents … we are simply called to love and honor them.
7. The church, as a living organism, needs to be fed, nurtured and encouraged in its quest to fulfill its reason for existence.
8. The church, as a living organism, has a reason for living and a mission to fulfill.
9. The church is in a global and epic battle against Satan and his reign of evil.
10. The church is under constant and aggressive attack from Satan and his powerful allies.
11. The church was created and equipped for this battle.
12. Ultimately, the battle will be won by the power of God.
13. The church experiences spiritual growth (success) when operating in unity, like a team.
14. Christ is the head of the Church. He alone is the captain of the team.
15. The life of the Church is like a race that requires discipline and training to gain victory.
16. The common goal of the team is to run a good race, cross the finish line, and gain the reward.

Study them. Pray over them. Can you add others? It's important for us to know who we are, collectively, in Christ.

Blessings,
Pastor Ellis