WHAT IS "CHURCH" ALL ABOUT?

1. CHURCH - THE “PLACE” It is a place where people meet with God; where God is acclaimed for His greatness and majesty; where in meeting with God, people come humbly before Him, because He is God and we are His created beings; where God's people are instructed and equipped. 2. CHURCH - THE PEOPLE “Church” is a people called by God to follow Jesus Christ; a people who have faith in Jesus Christ and His saving work at Calvary; a people who meet together especially on the “Lord's Day”, to declare thanksgiving for His gracious favour in saving lost sinners; a people who are God's disciples, who follow Christ and are taught by Him. 3. CHURCH - ITS EXISTENCE The Church exists for the glory of God alone; it exists to demon-strate the household of faith, the family of God; it exists to do the work of Christ upon the earth; it exists as the mission station of God, to send forth missionaries with the “Good News” of Jesus Christ; it exists to bring hope to the nations so that all people may know there is a God who cares; it exists to give us a “blessed hope” for the future. There is in fact no future without Christ and the Church is the “Lighthouse” to guide lost souls to Christ; it exists for the glory of God alone; it exists as a family where a person might be welcomed into and find love, peace, and joy. 4. CHURCH - ITS TRADEMARKS The trademark of the true Church is that it is comprised of people who are born again of the Spirit; is a people who have repented towards God, have faith in Jesus Christ and seek a life of holiness and separation from worldliness. The trademark of the true Church is its love towards sinners, but hatred towards sin and they have one foundation in Jesus Christ the Lord. The trademark of the true Church is to accept and adhere to the Scriptures as the only rule of faith and practice, and they firmly believe that Christ is the Head of the Church and all its members are joined in Him. 5. CHURCH - WHAT IT IS NOT! The Church is not perfect! It does not depend on forms, cere-monies, buildings, pulpits, finances, governments or any act of favour from the hand of men. The Church is not dependent on denominations or ministers or affiliations, but on the Lordship of Jesus Christ! The Church is not a charity organization or a place of entertainment and is not based on cultural, racial or social segregation. The Church is not a social gathering! Disbeliever? Skeptic or Sinner? No contentment, hope, or direction in life? You truly need to consider Christ as the Answer to all your needs. Rev. John Linton, Klerksdorp Baptist Church, 082 291 8888.