WELL

“FOR WITH YOU IS THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE.” – Psalm 36:9

“You must speak my words to them, …” We find those words in Ezekiel 2:7. But the people are in revolt, they are rebellious, they are obstinate and stubborn.

Some people are listening and some people are not listening.

A. SOME PEOPLE ARE LISTENING

a.  Nehemiah 8:3:

b. First Kings 4:34:

c.  John 10:27:

“My sheep listen to my voice.”

B. SOME PEOPLE FAIL TO LISTEN

a.  Second Kings 21:9:

b.  Isaiah 66:4:

c. Daniel 9:6:

Ezekiel 2:5 says, “And whether they listen or fail to listen – for they are a rebellious house  – they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

A beautiful flower

“The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” – Psalm 25:14

KAEO: Wesleydale Memorial Church

“Nowhere in the New Testament is the word “church” used for the building in which any particular Christian community met.” – 20th Century Bible Dictionary

Today I am reading about the request to  move a church from one place to another on the front page of  one of our local papers. (Northern News, Wednesday, June 1, 2016)

There is also a picture of the people who are determined to keep the church where it is.

Reading that makes me ask the question, “What is the Church?”

The Church is Christ’s body.

The church consists of all regenerate souls. Each one is redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Each one is transformed by God the Holy Spirit.

REGENERATION means the New Birth.

The Scriptures plainly teach in John 3:3 that all need to be born again.

What are the results of regeneration?

• The heart is changed.
• Sin is hated.
• Christ is loved.
• The life is changed.

Christians are “in Christ,” called out from the system of the world. The word “Church” comes from the Greek word “Ecclesia.” “Ecclesia” means “to call out from.”

I hope that all of us know what the Church really is, especially the 14 people on the front page of the Northern News. (I counted them.)

“Praise the Lord for the sun of joy when it rises, and for the gloom of evening as it falls. ” – C. H. Spurgeon

THE SUN

“There is beauty both in sunrise and sunset.” – C. H. Spurgeon