Living Faith Christian Church of Collingwood

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What Does A Church Do?

What does a church do? One way we could answer this question is by observing churches in action. This might lead us to conclude that churches have lots of meetings and potluck suppers. Observing other churches may convince you that churches advocate for social reform and are politically engaged.

When we look to the Scriptures to reveal what the church does we may be surprised. Many things that we assume a church should be doing are absent. It may also be that many of the things the Bible says we should be doing as a church are not being done.

Here is a list of things the New Testament says we are to do, or not do, for one another in the Church:

  • Be at peace with one another, forgiving, agreeing, humble, accepting, forbearing, living in harmony, and greeting one another with a kiss.
  • Do not judge, lie, or grumble to one another.
  • Show hospitality to one another.
  • Be kind, concerned devoted, serving, and doing good to one another.
  • Instruct and teach one another.
  • Admonish, exhort, and stir up one another.
  • Comfort and encourage one another.

Questions to Consider:

  1. Which of these do you think you as an individual are good at and not so good at?
  2. Which of these do you think you as a church are good at and not so good at?
  3. What stops you from doing more “one anothering”?

Scripture References:

Mark 9:50; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:10, 16; 14:13; 15:5, 7, 14; 16:16; 1 Corinthians 12:15; 2 Corinthians 13:11-12; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:2, 32; 5:19, 21; Colossians 3:9, 13, 16; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11, 15; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25; James 5:9, 16; 1 Peter 4:8-10; 5:5, 14.

The Church is a Family

The Church is a family. In the third chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul refers to the church as a family. Everyone is born into this family as an infant and then has the opportunity to grow up. The path to maturity is marked by opportunities to say no the flesh and yield to the leading of the Spirit. Learn more in this message from Pastor Matthew Bennett

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Jesus Builds His Church

“I will build my church.” – Jesus (Matthew 16:18). Here is a bold statement from the Son of Man. When Jesus first spoke these words to the disciples, the church did not yet exist. Those who first heard this declaration may well have thought to themselves, “What’s a church?” There are at least three truths in Jesus’ promise that show how important the church is in God’s plan for us.

  • Jesus is the owner of the church. No one will ever have more invested in the church than Jesus does. We give of our time, our talent and our treasure to serve the church. Jesus gave His blood to purchase the church (Acts 20:28).
  • Jesus takes responsibility for the church. No one will ever care more for the church than Jesus does. A church is a place where people gather. Wherever people gather there will be challenges. No matter what challenges arise, we can trust Jesus to build His church.
  • Jesus is the authority in the church. No one will ever carry more weight in the church than Jesus does. Jesus appoints human leaders as part of His church, but the greatest calling in His kingdom is not leadership. It is servant-hood. He is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22).

In the centuries that have passed since Jesus first claimed ownership, responsibility and authority over His church, He has proven faithful to His promise to build His church. The church has grown from a group of twelve ordinary men in Jesus’ day to a global movement of over two billion members today. How are you participating in the church Jesus is building?