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Delighting in the Truth: The Church, by Pastor Charlie Handren

By Anonymous
     From January to March, we are offering a series of devotionals on our Membership Affirmation of Faith. Our aim in this series is to help Glory of Christ grow in our understanding of truth, our love of the God of truth, our love of one another, and our love of unbelievers. The Affirmation is made up of eight articles of faith, the seventh of which is entitled “The Church” and reads as follows:
We believe in one holy, universal Church made up of all who trust Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and Supreme Treasure of their lives. We believe that God calls us to unite with other believers in local churches to help each other to value Christ above all, to praise Him together, to grow in our love and knowledge of Him, to stir each other up to good works, and to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ. We believe that Christians should be baptized and regularly eat the Lord’s Supper together. (Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 15:36, 41; 16:5; I Corinthians 16:1; Galatians 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4,10-11; Hebrews 10:24-25; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
     The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, and when it enters into and transforms the lives of individuals it creates what we like to call “gospel community.” In other words, God saves us in order to make of us a people for himself, and not merely a collection of individuals who are only more or less related to one another.
     Therefore, while every believer is a member of the global church and intimately united with all other believers, the Lord exhorts us to unite with local believers that we may live out our faith together. Indeed, to love the Church is to love the local church. And while it’s a privilege to love, value, praise, and share Christ together, it’s not always easy. But even the difficulties are part of God’s design, for he delights to use the challenges of life together to shape us into his image for the glory of his name.
     As you reflect on the church, take some time to ponder the following questions, preferably along with other believers: (1) How can a better understanding of the church help us to worship God? (2) How can a better understanding of the church help us to love other believers? (3) How can a better understanding of the church help us to gain a greater passion to share the gospel with unbelievers near and far?


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