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The Church of God
By John Thiel
Throughout the ages God’s church has always remained the same. Unconquerable and one day it will stand as strong as a mountain. Although the Church of God is pressing steadily towards the mark of becoming the church triumphant, the Bible warns us that the church faces great perils at this time because we are now living in the most perilous time of the earth’s history. The reason why the perils of our time are so great is because they have an unconscious effect upon mind that unless revealed to us through God’s appointed agents in His church, the perils will deceive even the very elect. It is for this reason that the Laodicean message is given as you say you are rich and increased with goods because you have it all and yet you do not know how wretched, blind, miserable poor and naked you really are.
Christ looks mournfully upon His professed people who feel rich and increased in the knowledge of the truth, and who are yet destitute of the truth in life and character, and unconscious of their destitute condition. {TDG 228.2}
What a perfect display of this meaning, increased with a knowledge of the truth and yet destitute of the truth in life and character. Let me explain this further with an illustration; many children learn their times tables at school perfectly, but when they have to actually apply their times tables to a practical problem, they can’t do it. They may tell their teacher that they know it all off by heart, but in reality the situation is quite different. This is a condition that we’re in danger of falling into; a condition where the mind has become so deteriorated, simple Godliness is not discerned. It is this condition that we will deal with in relation to the topic of the Church of God. Read the rest of this entry
The Church of God and its Role in Our Lives
By John Thiel
Why you are attending church today? What is your reason for being here and for being a member of this church? In Christianity in general there are many reasons why people want to become part of a church but the main reason is for social interaction. The human race is a web of human interaction and this is the predominant reason for church fellowship. In this respect, the reason for church is for a sense of well being. We like to have a lovely sense that we are Christians. But there is also another reason why people attend church. It is so that they can teach someone else something – they can teach others and this activity in itself becomes a missionary motivation. People also attend church because they want to provide a certain environment for their children or because they want to stand different to other people. Very few people are conscious of the real purpose for being part of God’s church. In Ephesians we find the real reason for attending church and being part of it. I place it before you carefully to see if this is the reason why you want to attend:
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Church leadership is identified.
Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, (this is the purpose) for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Did you pick up the reason for being part of this church?
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
The real purpose for being part of God’s church is that you would change. You can’t remain the same person that you are at this present time. To be part of God’s church requires you to become changed from the person you are now into a perfect person. This process requires cleansing and experiences that will change your personality. Are you happy being the kind of person you are right now? Some people are. They think to themselves I am very well just the way I am thank you very much. Read the rest of this entry
Recognising God’s Church
By John Thiel, mp3
Scripture reading: Jeremiah 6:2 I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate [woman]. 3 The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch [their] tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place. Read the rest of this entry
Are You In A World-Loving Church?
Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered. Nothing must be done untimely. {1SM 57.2}
What Is a World-Loving Church?
If the professed followers of Christ would accept God’s standard, it would bring them into unity; but so long as human wisdom is exalted above His Holy Word, there will be divisions and dissension. The existing confusion of conflicting creeds and sects is fitly represented by the term “Babylon,” which prophecy (Revelation 14:8; 18:2) applies to the world-loving churches of the last days. {PP 124.1}
We should not be disheartened because those who have no love for truth refuse to be convinced by the clearest evidence. We need not flatter ourselves that the formal and world-loving churches of this age are more ready to receive the teachings of God’s word than were those of ages past. Paul’s worst enemies were among the Jews, who made the highest claims to godliness. It was to this class that Christ said, “Ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God.” The most bitter opposers of truth today are found among those who profess to be its defenders. {LP 278.3} Read the rest of this entry
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