The Church

<h1>The Church</h1>Author: <a title="Joshua Sparks" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/joshua-sparks/128100.htm">Joshua Sparks</a> Written by Bro. Josh Sparks. Praise the Lord Jesus our soon coming King. Today I am going to just post several thoughts about the church, God’s Ecclesia, locally and abroad. Though the Ecclesia (the church) meets in various ways, and in various places; the one thing that gives the church identity is the fact that is is built by Jesus. The Psalmist declared Psalm 127:1 (NKJV) Unless the LORD builds the house,   They labor in vain who build it;    Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. Jesus told the Apostle Peter in Matthew 16:15-19 (NKJV) 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  18  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” The bible teaches that  the church are to be built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, but that Jesus is the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20-21 (NKJV) 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. The Apostle Paul, the very same one who wrote the Epistle to the church at Ephesus, also wrote the Letter to the Corinthians and in 1 Corinthians 3:10-12 (NKJV) 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw.  Jesus is the rock the church is built upon and by no means was Jesus telling Peter that the church would be built on him. Jesus is the founder and foundation of His church. He is the head of the body and from that head the body is fitly framed together and grows unto a holy habitation unto the Lord. Colossians 1:17-18 (NKJV) 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18  And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. The church is the Lord’s building and yet so many try to build the church by their own means. The Lord and He alone can add to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47 (NKJV) 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. In spite of popular teaching Water Baptism in Jesus Name is obedience to Jesus command. Mark 16:16 (NKJV) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Water baptism is not what officially makes one a member of the church of the Lord Jesus. What then does make us members of Christ’s Church? Being baptized into the one body by the Holy Spirit.  1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NKJV) 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. The Lord adds to His church by baptizing them into the body by and through the Holy Spirit. We will look at some very important facts concerning the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. <ol> <li>God does not dwell in temples made with the hands of men. Acts 17:24-25 (NKJV) 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. Acts 7:48  (NKJV) “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says. </li> <li>We are God’s Holy Building that is made to be a Holy Habitation for the Spirit of God.   Ephesians 2:20-22 (NKJV) 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. </li> </ol> Those who reject the truth that the church is not a man made, brick and mortar building but a spiritual building that is God’s house made up of lively stones. 1 Peter 2:5(NKJV) you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. These have rejected that precious stone that was set at nought of the builders, because God is the builder of His house and man cannot build God’s Church and God will not take second place to what we call the church. I have heard so many say are you going to church tomorrow? I say no I am the church and wherever I am there God has a house and I can as a lively stone function in my calling in His Kingdom because I was fashioned to be a fit in the building blocks of His Church. I will close with these very powerful inspired words written by God’s Inspiration, penned down by the Apostle Peter. 1 Peter 2:6-10(NKJV) 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “ Behold, I lay in Zion  A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,  And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,   “ The stone which the builders rejected  Has become the chief cornerstone,”  8  and  “ A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Today we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. So many have gathered together today to remember the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the church and 3,000 souls were added to the church. I felt led of the Lord to write this article today in honor of what Jesus began to establish when the comforter came to the church. Not a brick and mortar building or building system, but a spiritual house made up of lively stones (people) who are the very temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? In the Name of Jesus Christ I post this article. Bro. Josh Sparks.About the Author: Bro. Sparks is a bible teacher who has been involved as a Pastor, Evangelist and International Radio Missionary. He has reached many through radio programs and the printed page for over 18 years. Bro. Sparks is a bible student and is only concerned with preaching the truth of God's Word.

Bro. Sparks is married to his best friend and faithful companion and fellow laborer of the Gospel Sis. Melissa Sparks and they have two sons, Ronnie age 7 and Elijeh 1 years old.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/christianity-articles/the-church-946752.html" title="The Church">The Church</a>

Written by Bro. Josh Sparks.

Praise the Lord Jesus our soon coming King.

Today I am going to just post several thoughts about the church, God’s Ecclesia, locally and abroad. Though the Ecclesia (the church) meets in various ways, and in various places; the one thing that gives the church identity is the fact that is is built by Jesus. The Psalmist declared Psalm 127:1 (NKJV) Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. Jesus told the Apostle Peter in Matthew 16:15-19 (NKJV) 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

The bible teaches that the church are to be built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, but that Jesus is the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20-21 (NKJV) 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. The Apostle Paul, the very same one who wrote the Epistle to the church at Ephesus, also wrote the Letter to the Corinthians and in 1 Corinthians 3:10-12 (NKJV) 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw.

Jesus is the rock the church is built upon and by no means was Jesus telling Peter that the church would be built on him. Jesus is the founder and foundation of His church. He is the head of the body and from that head the body is fitly framed together and grows unto a holy habitation unto the Lord. Colossians 1:17-18 (NKJV) 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

The church is the Lord’s building and yet so many try to build the church by their own means. The Lord and He alone can add to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47 (NKJV) 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. In spite of popular teaching Water Baptism in Jesus Name is obedience to Jesus command. Mark 16:16 (NKJV) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Water baptism is not what officially makes one a member of the church of the Lord Jesus. What then does make us members of Christ’s Church? Being baptized into the one body by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NKJV) 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

The Lord adds to His church by baptizing them into the body by and through the Holy Spirit. We will look at some very important facts concerning the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God does not dwell in temples made with the hands of men.
Acts 17:24-25 (NKJV) 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. Acts 7:48 (NKJV) “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says.
We are God’s Holy Building that is made to be a Holy Habitation for the Spirit of God.
Ephesians 2:20-22 (NKJV) 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Those who reject the truth that the church is not a man made, brick and mortar building but a spiritual building that is God’s house made up of lively stones. 1 Peter 2:5(NKJV) you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. These have rejected that precious stone that was set at nought of the builders, because God is the builder of His house and man cannot build God’s Church and God will not take second place to what we call the church. I have heard so many say are you going to church tomorrow? I say no I am the church and wherever I am there God has a house and I can as a lively stone function in my calling in His Kingdom because I was fashioned to be a fit in the building blocks of His Church.

I will close with these very powerful inspired words written by God’s Inspiration, penned down by the Apostle Peter. 1 Peter 2:6-10(NKJV) 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “ Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “ The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” 8 and “ A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Today we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. So many have gathered together today to remember the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the church and 3,000 souls were added to the church. I felt led of the Lord to write this article today in honor of what Jesus began to establish when the comforter came to the church. Not a brick and mortar building or building system, but a spiritual house made up of lively stones (people) who are the very temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

In the Name of Jesus Christ I post this article.

Bro. Josh Sparks.

Bro. Sparks is a bible teacher who has been involved as a Pastor, Evangelist and International Radio Missionary. He has reached many through radio programs and the printed page for over 18 years. Bro. Sparks is a bible student and is only concerned with preaching the truth of God's Word. Bro. Sparks is married to his best friend and faithful companion and fellow laborer of the Gospel Sis. Melissa Sparks and they have two sons, Ronnie age 7 and Elijeh 1 years old.

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/christianity-articles/the-church-946752.html

Article Tags: the church is not a brick building but the people who is god's habitation

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

How to Get Trained to See God's Presence

Play

Learn About Good Friday

Play

How to Choose Wedding Vows

Play

Holy Baptism 101

Play

Take Five Minutes and Worship Jesus With Me

Latest Christianity Articles
More from Joshua Sparks

Practical Guide to Christian Financial Freedom

By: Rachel Richmond | 23/12/2009
Everything you need to know about God's Step-By-Step Plan for You to Become Totally Debt Free Including Your Mortgage. How to Renew Your Mind to See Money, Tithing, and Giving From God's Viewpoint. How to stop praying for financial miracles and live in daily financial abundance.

The Moral Model in Counseling

By: Ralph E. Bass, Jr. | 23/12/2009
The Moral Model is the orthodox Christian position in counseling. Of necessity this model is characterized by certain views of man that are taught in the bible. Some of them would be:

The Parable of The Ten Bridesmaids - Explained - Part 2

By: Charles Crosby | 23/12/2009
In part one I explained how this parable is miss-taught by mainstream Christian 'ministers' and 'pastors.' I also explained how they do this in order to get the focus of the parable off of them, and on to their wretched and abused flocks. Here in part two I deal with issue of the unwise bridesmaids and their purchased oil and what it represents.

Why Do We Have Counseling?

By: Ralph E. Bass, Jr. | 23/12/2009
Counseling exists because people face difficult problems that they cannot always address solely with their own resources.

Musical Instruments - Tribe of Judah Instrument Co

By: Roni Gabriel | 23/12/2009
A company dedicated to honoring the LORD YAHWEH with Holy worship musical instruments. Each instrument is made exclusively for followers of Yeshua.

How to Unlock God's Perfect Plan for Your Life

By: Philip C Jones | 23/12/2009
Christians have struggled with the flesh since the early apostles walked the dusty roads of Jerusalem, hence the Bible states, "The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41b KJV). How do you overcome the flesh to unlock God's perfect plan for your life, the destiny especially designed for you by God?

The Other Side of Answered Prayer and Psalm 20

By: Joseph Jagde | 21/12/2009
This psalm gives a vision of the other side of answered prayer and the angelic help that occurs on that road. The vision includes your own wishes, which are only seen and understood clearly by the Lord who guides you in them on the road to answered prayer and the victory of answered prayer.

Sid Roth with Darren Wilson

By: Tyson Phillips | 21/12/2009
On It's supernatural : gold teeth appearing out of thin air, bread from heaven appearing in Bibles, folks being raised from the dead, see varsity children whose idea of weekend fun is bring miracles to absolute strangers. This isn't your old-time religion. It's mystical. Do angels exist? Are healing miracles real? Is there life after death? Can folks get mystical help from another dimension? Has the future been drafted in advance? Sid Roth has spent 25 years researching the ...

Baptized for the Remission of Sins

By: Joshua Sparks | 03/07/2009 | Christianity
After the Apostle Peter preached that wonderful, powerful model message on the day of Pentecost, model in that every message afterward was modeled or fashioned after that powerful Jesus Name message preached on the day of pentecost because in the message was given the procedures of obedience to the Gospel and these procedures if followed granted salvation to those obeyers.

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

By: Joshua Sparks | 03/06/2009 | Christianity
So many have parked their car so to speak at just speaking in tongues, and sporatic miracles and feelings of emotional high is why the Holy Spirit has been given to the church and this contradicts God’s Word. Jesus said the Spirit of Truth was given to lead and guide in all truth. Jesus said He would take of mine( from Jesus) and tell you of things to come.

The Church

By: Joshua Sparks | 31/05/2009 | Christianity
Jesus is the rock the church is built upon and by no means was Jesus telling Peter that the church would be built on him. Jesus is the founder and foundation of His church. He is the head of the body and from that head the body is fitly framed together and grows unto a holy habitation unto the Lord.

Father Forgive them

By: Joshua Sparks | 30/05/2009 | Christianity
This same Jesus who was prophesied before concerning His destiny to save His people from their sins and to be that sacrificial lamb that would be offered once for sins not continually that would replace the sacrifices of bulls and goats and forever settle the demands of justice and make atonement for sins.

God Does Not Change

By: Joshua Sparks | 30/05/2009 | Christianity
I am writing to you today about a simple yet profound thought the Lord has placed in my heart. God does not change. The bible is plain in proclaiming this very profound reality throughout all of it’s pages. Kings and Prophets have testified that God does not change. They have written about their adversities and there many trials and sufferings and bondages. And the testimony is always the same. God does not change.

Do you go to Church?

By: Joshua Sparks | 30/05/2009 | Christianity
Your man made hand made temples and buildings will be destroyed along with the doctrine of Babylon, or confusion. The book of Revelation calls the modern day spirit that calls itself Christianity mystery Babylon or mystery confusion and so many are confused today.

The destruction of body and soul in Gehenna

By: Joshua Sparks | 19/05/2009 | Christianity
In recent months and weeks we have looked at several topics that have been the cause of controvery for many in christendom. We have examined such subjects as; what the bible teaches about death. Also we have looked at such topics as Is anyone in Heaven? and Is man a spirit? We have also through sound bible teaching taught the truth that man is a living soul and not an immortal soul. Anybody who teaches man has immortallity within his self or her self is teaching false doctrine.

Worship God in spirit and truth

By: Joshua Sparks | 19/05/2009 | Christianity
Apollos was convinced that Jesus was the Christ and became of true worshipper of Jesus in spirit and truth and mightily or vigarously refuted the Jews proving by the scriptures (Old testament) that Jesus was the Messiah. he was worshipping God in spirit and truth. Are you offering true worship to God today or are you worshipping without an accurate knowledge of God’s Kingdom and His Plan of Salvation.