Many today think of the church as simply a meeting, a place to worship, or an organization. But the essence of the church is something else called the “Body of Christ.” What does that mean? How are we “the body of Christ”? Today’s program explores that subject.
From “Secret of His Purpose” by John Kennedy (chapter 4):
• A gospel that is only individual in nature is “half a gospel”
• The condition for entering into the “fullness of Christ” is subjection to Christ in His body
• The purpose of the Body of Christ is to give expression to His life
• The Body of Christ is a gathering of believers in a locality that function together
• Pattern and life are equally import to reach God’s end purpose
• The church as the Body of Christ expresses the authority of Christ here on earth
In Summary:
• We must be connected to the Head (who is Christ), under His authority
• We are related to each other by the Spirit (baptized into one body—I Cor. 12:13)
• Our functioning is according to the direction of the Head and His grace
• Submission to Christ in His Body deals with individualism (self-sufficiency)
• God’s purpose is that we give forth an expression of Christ together
• Love is the bond of perfection that enables us to move as “one man”
Additional resources at http://www.ntchurchsource.com/
Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne
Comments and questions welcome. Email David@AnchorOfTruth.com
A key theme in scripture relating to the purpose and plan of God is the family and household of God. God has a family, Christ Jesus being the “First Born” with us as his brothers and sisters. He has a household of whom He is the Father. He is bringing His sons and daughters to maturity in his household. How can that happen when our Father is in heaven? Today we explore this subject that we may see more clearly how God is bringing his family to maturity.
From Secret of His Purpose on God’s Household and House (chapter 7)
• Family defines relationship, but does not always result in a household
• A household implies being together, a common rule, and sense of responsibility
• The church is a local assembly, a spiritual family living as one household
• We are our brother’s keeper
• We get to know God as we dwell in his household.
Additional thoughts concerning the church as the household of God
• God has a family
o Born into His family through new birth (related now as sons and daughters)
o The relationship is because of our common relationship with God
o The family structure is designed to bring the children to maturity
• The church of God is primarily a family atmosphere
o Not an organization, program, or institution)
o Requires close relationships
o Requires commitment, responsibility of members
o Has structure, order
• Differences between the natural and spiritual family
o Our Father is in heaven
o Jesus is among us as our Elder Brother by the Spirit (Heb. 2:10-13)
o God governs His household by His Spirit working through men
o We must choose to be a part of a local expression of God’s family
Additional resources at http://www.ntchurchsource.com/
Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne
Comments and questions welcome. Email David@AnchorOfTruth.com
The issue of authority lies at the very center of the conflict that we face today. The conflict begins in each believer as they first come to God, and extends to the gathering of believers. To resolve the conflict according God’s way is the key to experiencing fellowship with God and fellowship with each other. Here is a summary statement to focus our thinking. “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Christ Jesus, and He administers that authority by the Holy Spirit in and through each believer.”
• Spiritual authority has its origin in the Cross
o Jesus submitted to the will of His Father and defeated the enemy at Calvary
o Calvary defined many things including spiritual authority
• All authority has been given to Christ (Matt: 28:18, also Acts 2:36, Heb. 1:13)
o The authority is spiritual
o The authority is administered by the Holy Spirit
o The authority is revealed in and through man
o The authority is for the building up of the household of God
• The opposite to spiritual authority is natural authority
o That which originates from man
o That which originates from Satan but finds it’s expression through natural man
• Submission to the authority of God is
o Essential to salvation
o Essential to unity
o Essential to experience the riches of God’s grace
o Essential to building in God
• How do we know we are under the authority of Christ as our Lord?
o There must be evidence (fruit) of Christ as our Lord
o Evidence of Lordship begins now and reaches into eternity
o Expresses itself in a spirit of submission to other member of Christ
o Is not defensive, but always looking for God to shed light to walk in
o Recognizes the grace of God coming through other members
Additional resources at: http://www.ntchurchsource.com/
Theme song "Will your Anchor Hold" sung by J. Ashley Milne
To see who Christ is by revelation is critical to the foundation of what God is doing today. Jesus told Peter that “upon this foundation He would build His church.” Many believers only know about a historical Christ, but do not have a personal knowledge of Him as God. While an intellectual knowledge of Christ may be a good beginning, without a personal revealing of the person of Christ there will be no power to walk in this world as God has designed.
• Jesus Christ must be revealed to us by the Father. He is building on this foundation (Matt: 16:13-19)
o The Father revealed to Peter who Christ was
o Christ builds on the revelation of who He is
o Authority comes from that revelation (union)
• Christ dwells in the midst of a people who are gathered in His Name (Matt: 18:18-20)
o Gathered in His nature
o Gathered under His authority
• Paul’s basis was the revelation of who Christ is. (Gal 1:5-16)
o The basis for his turning was a revelation of Christ
o The basis for his ministry (authority) was “Christ in you”
o Each one of us must have that same miracle from God
Additional resources at www:NTchurchsource.com
Theme song Will your Anchor Hold sung by J. Ashley Milne
The plan of God is how He is fulfilling His eternal purpose. His plan is being accomplished in the person of Jesus Christ. Everything God is doing is based on who Jesus is, what He has done at Calvary, who He is in us, and who we are in Him. This puts the focus on our relationship with Christ and how we enter into union with Him.
Some key topics from today's episode are as follows:
Some key scriptures to consider:
When a builder comes on the building site, the first thing he needs is the plan. Even though he may be an excellent workman, without the plan he does not know where to build.
God has a plan, and we must know that plan to be able to labor effectively. In this program we outline God's eternal goal. It can be summarized as follows:
God wants all of us to have a "controlling vision." In other words, God's eternal goal must control our thoughts and actions today. May God open our eyes to see all things as He sees them that our labor will be effective, or in the words of scripture "gold, sliver, and precious stones." (I Cor. 3:5-15)
This is an introduction to the concept and purpose of the Anchor of Truth podcast and an introduction to the host, David Sheats.
This show is intended to be a source of encouragement in your walk with God.