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The assault on the church is an assault on Christ.
However, though we might think it is the powers from the outside that seek to cripple it, rather it is those inside claiming to be the church.
It begins by exchanging zeal for complaceny, worship for laziness, and joy for bitterness. And though the bride is to be a place of respite for the believers, we muddy the walls by succombing to our own sin. But that is not what Christ desired.
Christ desired churches that will boldly proclaim the gospel and live out the gospel in the community for His glory. Thus, are we to be churches that fall prey to the lines of mediocrity and "relevance?" No,
THen what should the church look like? When we go back to the initial days of the church we see an outpouring of the spirit in the lives of the believer. And it all begins with a Supreme focus upon Christ and not self.
In this message, Pastor John Cox examines the early church, and how we are to fight for enduring ministry. For the moment we stop fighting for the righteousness of God within our selves, we turn into the Country club with a Cross on the door. |