Page 7 - Good News June 2011 paper

1. CHURCH - THE “PLACE” the nations so that all people may not depend on forms, cere- cultural, racial or social segre-
It is a place where people meet know there is a God who cares; it monies, buildings, pulpits, finan- gation. The Church is not a social
with God; where God is acclaimed exists to give us a “blessed hope” ces, governments or any act of gathering!
for His greatness and majesty; for the future. There is in fact no favour from the hand of men. The Disbeliever? Skeptic or Sinner?
where in meeting with God, future without Christ and the Church is not dependent on No contentment, hope, or direc-
people come humbly before Him, Church is the “Lighthouse” to denominations or ministers or tion in life? You truly need to
because He is God and we are His guide lost souls to Christ; it exists affiliations, but on the Lordship of consider Christ as the Answer to
created beings; where God's for the glory of God alone; it exists Jesus Christ! The Church is not a all your needs.
people are instructed and equip- as a family where a person might charity organization or a place of Rev. John Linton, Klerksdorp
ped. be welcomed into and find love, entertainment and is not based on Baptist Church, 082 291 8888.
2. CHURCH - THE PEOPLE peace, and joy.
“Church” is a people called by 4. CHURCH - ITS TRADEMARKS
God to follow Jesus Christ; a The trademark of the true Church Faith, Hope, Love
people who have faith in Jesus is that it is comprised of people
Christ and His saving work at who are born again of the Spirit; is
Calvary; a people who meet a people who have repented O ne of the most memorable sermons was preached by
together especially on the “Lord's towards God, have faith in Jesus the late Emil Brunner at the Fraumunster Kirche in
Day”, to declare thanksgiving for Christ and seek a life of holiness Zurich, Switzerland. It was based on the phrase,
His gracious favour in saving lost and separation from worldliness. "faith, hope, and love."
sinners; a people who are God's The trademark of the true Church The points were these: Every man has a past, a present, and a
disciples, who follow Christ and is its love towards sinners, but future. Every man has a problem in his past, a problem in his
present, and a problem in his future.
are taught by Him. hatred towards sin and they have
3. CHURCH - ITS EXISTENCE one foundation in Jesus Christ The problem in our past is sin, but God has an answer to that
The Church exists for the glory of the Lord. The trademark of the problem. The answer is faith - faith in the death and
God alone; it exists to demon- true Church is to accept and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
strate the household of faith, the adhere to the Scriptures as the The problem in our future is death, but God has an answer to
that problem also. The answer to that problem is hope - hope
family of God; it exists to do the only rule of faith and practice, and
work of Christ upon the earth; it they firmly believe that Christ is in Christ's return based on the fact of His historical resur-
exists as the mission station of the Head of the Church and all its rection and His promises.
God, to send forth missionaries members are joined in Him. The problem in our present is hate, and God's answer to that
with the “Good News” of Jesus 5. CHURCH - WHAT IT IS NOT! problem is love. It is the love of Christ lived out in the lives of
those who trust Him.
Christ; it exists to bring hope to The Church is not perfect! It does