“…let us consider how to STIR UP (prompt, provoke) ONE ANOTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD WORKS, NOT NEGLECTING (egkataleipō: to abandon or desert) TO MEET TOGETHER, as is THE HABIT OF SOME, but ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER, and ALL THE MORE AS YOU SEE THE DAY DRAWING NEAR.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
“But what about you?” Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are THE MESSIAH, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.” Jesus replied, “BLESSED ARE YOU, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but BY MY FATHER IN HEAVEN. And I tell you that you are Peter, and ON THIS ROCK (our mutual understanding, you know Me and I know you) I will BUILD MY CHURCH, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:15-18)
WE MUST NOT STAY OUT OF CHURCH, BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS …
- A PLACE OF PRAYER: “…my house will be called a HOUSE OF PRAYER for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:7)
- A PLACE OF PRAISE: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts WITH PRAISE; give thanks to Him and PRAISE His name.” (Psalms 100:4)
- A PLACE OF PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD: “I have PROCLAIMED the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know.” (Psalms 40:9)
- A PLACE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD: “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I AM THERE in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
- A PLACE OF THE POWER OF GOD: “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them PRAY over him, ANOINTING him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the PRAYER OF FAITH will heal the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. Confess your faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The EFFECTUAL (powerful) FERVENT (energeō: be mighty in) prayer of a righteous one AVAILS (ischuō: to exercise force).” (James 5:14-16)
“I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, IT WILL BE DONE FOR THEM by my Father in heaven. For where TWO or THREE GATHERED in MY NAME, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham