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The Church That Does Not Look Like the World - Part IV
The Church That Does Not Look Like the World – Part IV
In the first two articles, we saw the following. There is a path (righteousness vs. wickedness). There is a certain look (light vs. darkness). There are two leaders (Jesus vs. Satan). There are two people groups (believers and unbelievers). There are two types of houses of worship (one dedicated to God, the other to idols or demons). In the last article we saw that the church is to be separate from the world, is the temple of God, is to purify itself from things that contaminate the body, is to seek holiness and to revere God.
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)
Today we will look at the “Blessings of a Godly Church.”
8. The Blessings of a Godly Church.
A. He will receive us.
The Greek word used in our text today translated “receive” is unique. It is unique in two ways. 1) This is the only usage of it in the New Testament. 2) It does not signify to accept, but rather to admit. Father God admits us into His presence. That gives the idea that a price has been paid, and one has. Jesus paid the price on the cross for us and we are now admitted into Father God’s presence based on Jesus’ work.
This admittance has two phases. God receives us while we are on earth and still in the sinful body. God will receive us when we pass from this place and into His eternal presence.
Currently we have access to Him through the blood of Jesus and the presence of His Holy Spirit. We have access to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). We have the privilege of asking for anything we need in this life. This admittance or privilege is hindered in this life when we embrace sin. The stain of sin breaks our communication with the Father in this life until we come out from under that sin.
The earthly blessing is conditional. Sin is the determining factor. After His return, or our passing, the sinful flesh is removed and we are admitted into His presence forever more.
B. He walks among us.
This relates to a manifested presence. The blessing of God walking amongst us in this life is also conditional. The book of Revelation clearly warns the church in Ephesus that if they do not change and live for Him His presence will be withdrawn from them. God taught this lesson in the Old Testament as He withdrew His presence from the people of Israel as recorded in the book of Malachi.
The blessing is for the people or church that will follow Him and do the things listed in the previous three articles. His presence brings protection and power. His presence brings His comfort and love.
C. He is our God and we are His people.
This blessing is experienced in part in this life and realized in its fullest in the life to come. We are His people. We have been called out of darkness and into the light. He comes to live in us and to empower us to live for Him. This blessing cannot change once received. The impact of the blessing can only be affected by our relationship with sin, positively or negatively.
D. He is our Father and we are His children.
When we are saved, we become the children of God. This is irrevocable. The hard part is for us to live as the children of God in this life as we continue to battle the sinful flesh.
The encouragement for us is to know that we have admittance into His presence. We are blessed by His presence amongst us. He is our God and we are His people. He is not only our God but He is our Father. We are not only His people, but are His children. What great blessings are ours. With great blessings comes great responsibility.
We are called to live in way that brings blessing to us, honor to Him and draws people to the Father. The Christian life is not easy. The Christian life is rewarding.
Take a moment today and praise Him. Think about these four blessings that have been bestowed upon us, who are the true church.
Lord Bless,
Rev. Leonard R. Traina
Principles for Life
In the first two articles, we saw the following. There is a path (righteousness vs. wickedness). There is a certain look (light vs. darkness). There are two leaders (Jesus vs. Satan). There are two people groups (believers and unbelievers). There are two types of houses of worship (one dedicated to God, the other to idols or demons). In the last article we saw that the church is to be separate from the world, is the temple of God, is to purify itself from things that contaminate the body, is to seek holiness and to revere God.
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)
Today we will look at the “Blessings of a Godly Church.”
8. The Blessings of a Godly Church.
A. He will receive us.
The Greek word used in our text today translated “receive” is unique. It is unique in two ways. 1) This is the only usage of it in the New Testament. 2) It does not signify to accept, but rather to admit. Father God admits us into His presence. That gives the idea that a price has been paid, and one has. Jesus paid the price on the cross for us and we are now admitted into Father God’s presence based on Jesus’ work.
This admittance has two phases. God receives us while we are on earth and still in the sinful body. God will receive us when we pass from this place and into His eternal presence.
Currently we have access to Him through the blood of Jesus and the presence of His Holy Spirit. We have access to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). We have the privilege of asking for anything we need in this life. This admittance or privilege is hindered in this life when we embrace sin. The stain of sin breaks our communication with the Father in this life until we come out from under that sin.
The earthly blessing is conditional. Sin is the determining factor. After His return, or our passing, the sinful flesh is removed and we are admitted into His presence forever more.
B. He walks among us.
This relates to a manifested presence. The blessing of God walking amongst us in this life is also conditional. The book of Revelation clearly warns the church in Ephesus that if they do not change and live for Him His presence will be withdrawn from them. God taught this lesson in the Old Testament as He withdrew His presence from the people of Israel as recorded in the book of Malachi.
The blessing is for the people or church that will follow Him and do the things listed in the previous three articles. His presence brings protection and power. His presence brings His comfort and love.
C. He is our God and we are His people.
This blessing is experienced in part in this life and realized in its fullest in the life to come. We are His people. We have been called out of darkness and into the light. He comes to live in us and to empower us to live for Him. This blessing cannot change once received. The impact of the blessing can only be affected by our relationship with sin, positively or negatively.
D. He is our Father and we are His children.
When we are saved, we become the children of God. This is irrevocable. The hard part is for us to live as the children of God in this life as we continue to battle the sinful flesh.
The encouragement for us is to know that we have admittance into His presence. We are blessed by His presence amongst us. He is our God and we are His people. He is not only our God but He is our Father. We are not only His people, but are His children. What great blessings are ours. With great blessings comes great responsibility.
We are called to live in way that brings blessing to us, honor to Him and draws people to the Father. The Christian life is not easy. The Christian life is rewarding.
Take a moment today and praise Him. Think about these four blessings that have been bestowed upon us, who are the true church.
Lord Bless,
Rev. Leonard R. Traina
Principles for Life
Tags: church
Add a Comment
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Comment by Bev on June 26, 2009 at 6:21am - I can not fathom "being" any other way. Even before I knew what it truely meant I had no desire or will or inclination to be anything but His child. I still today have trouble figuring how anyone would not want to be His child. The gifts and honor and priveleges far out weigh anything one would have to put behind them or "give up". Out of the darkness indeed!! Thank you LT!!!!!
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Comment by Therese on June 23, 2009 at 9:39pm -
Amen,
There is nothing like it knowing we are the children of God our Father and when we know Who our Father is, it makes all the difference in the world.
Thanks LT, you are blessed!
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