Jesus built HIS CHURCH while He was here AMY, in His fleshly body. “I WILL build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” (Matt. 16:18) Where is His church? “Now YOU ARE the BODY OF CHRIST, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corin. 12:27) “Christ is the head of the church, HIS BODY, of which He is the Savior.” (Eph. 5:23) What was the cost? “…take heed to yourselves to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with HIS OWN BLOOD.” (Acts 20:28)
“Christ Himself GAVE the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, to EQUIP HIS PEOPLE for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be BUILT UP until we ALL reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become MATURE, attaining to the WHOLE MEASURE of the FULLNESS OF CHRIST. Then we will NO LONGER BE INFANTS, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking THE TRUTH IN LOVE, we will GROW TO BECOME in every respect the MATURE body of Him WHO IS THE HEAD, that is, CHRIST. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and BUILDS ITSELF UP IN LOVE, as EACH PART does its work.” (Eph. 4:11-16)
Jesus HAS AND IS providing the ministry structure to EQUIP US AMY, for the work EACH ONE OF US has to do. “The Holy Spirit is given to EACH OF US…FOR THE GOOD OF ALL…Now you are the body of Christ, and EACH ONE of you is a part of it…EARNESTLY DESIRE the best gifts.” (1 Corin. 12:7, 27, 31) Jude encourages us to “…contend earnestly for the faith…BUILDING YOURSELVES UP on your most holy faith, PRAYING in the Holy Spirit, KEEP YOURSELVES in the love of God…” (Jude 1:3, 20-21)
-Bill Stockham