THE CHURCH
When I first started writing tracts years ago, I got the idea for a name from a Mormon tract. They were called "MORMON MISCELLANEOUS" so my original tracts had "CHRISTIAN MISCELLANEOUS" on them. For some reason they were not received very well. People kept associating "CHRISTIAN" with "RELIGION". I would share John 10:10 AND OTHER verses to show Jesus Christ came to give us life not religion... I changed the name later to "EKKLESIA COMMUNICATIONS". The "CHURCH" is "EKKLEISA" in the Greek. It is the "CALLED OUT ONES". I used it for my ministry since it sounded more "New Age". I was trying to reach those out in the world and "CHURCH COMMUNICATIONS" didn't work very well. The established church has a bad name with the world in different ways other than the name of Jesus Christ.
I Cor. 9
"21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
We will be going deeper in I Cor. 9 in a few minutes...
People would ask me what the name, "EKKLESIA COMMUNICATIONS" meant. I would then get to share with them the ministry that hte Lord called me into without sounding too religious. I would talk about the true church, the body of Christ. How the church is called to be lights in this dark world.
We talk a lot about "going" to church but we "need to be" the church. We are saints of the most high God. The term "CHRISTIAN" is used very little in the word of God but "SAINTS" are used continually in it speaking of those who have been born again, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
When Christians, saints come together then we make up the church. We are the "CALLED OUT ONES", the "EKKLESIA". But there are special ministers in the church".
Eph. 4:11,12
"11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
As the other side of the brochure that you received shows, we as Christians have a gift that God gave us and we should find out what it is and use it. All of the body of Christ are important and needed... I Cor. 12 and 14 talk about some of the gifts that God gives the body of Christ. There are other places but this is a good start.
Acts 5:42
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:3
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
From this we see that they were in the temples preaching Jesus Christ to the lost and in the houses teaching believers what they are and have in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Saul made "HAVOCK" of the "CHURCH" by entering in houses and hauling men and women to prison...
Some seem to think that this is a bible study. I've led a few bible studies in my time but never like this... A bible study is where believers come together to study the bible together. They normally would know what they are going to be talking about since the subject or chapter would be laid out ahead of time. They might come together to discuss a chapter or subject and do a study while they are together. This second type usually keeps the believers together longer since they are studying together or coming up with ideas as they meditate on the word.
Rember bible studies are super important whether in a group or alone. But this is not a bible study, we are coming together to discuss certain chapters laid out ahead of time nor are we discussing a chapter that we have mediated on during the week or here at this fellowship. One of the best ways to study the word is to take what you received at a church service and meditate on it, study it out at home, read, memorize whatever speaks to your heart.
Acts 17:11
"11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
II Timothy 2:15
15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
SOME SCRIPTURES CONCERNING THE CHURCH...
Acts 8:1
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Here we see persecution against the church. You don't persecute a building but the people and they are the church.
Acts 11:22-26
22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Buildings don't have ears but the "CHURCH," God's people do...
Acts 12:1-5
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Once again, you don't vex a building but you can vex God's people...
Acts 13:1
13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now this verse seems to say that the church is the building but it is showing that the believers within the building make up the church and hence the building where they are meeting is called the church... but when the believers leave, it is a house again. An illustration would be the building used today to house the church. The church, God's people get together in them usually on Sundays and Wednesdays but when they leave it is an empty church building or empty building that held the church in it for a day or two a week.
Acts 14:27
27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
Here we see that the "CHURCH" had gathered together and and they had went over the things that had transpired, showing that the church is God's people not the building.
Acts 15:2-4
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
But don't send people on their way but people can...
Acts 15:22
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
A building is not pleased to something but people can be.
Acts 18:22
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
Def: salute-- to meet with kind words, to bow, clasp of the hand, kiss, etc.
You don't meet a building with kind words or a bow or shaking hands or kissing do you?
Acts 20:17-21
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Elders are ones more mature within the Christian body and they will never be an elder to a building.
Acts 20:28
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
By now I think you should be able to see that "THE CHURCH" is God's people, those who have been born again of his Spirit, washed in his blood, made new creatures in Christ Jesus...
READING SOME CHAPTERS...
I Cor. 9
1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Phil. 4:10-22
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
II Cor. 9:6-15
"6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."
Luke 6:38 says,
"38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
God blesses givers... I have not been talking about money or giving to get something from you. I am sharing what a minister of the gospel is to do and those who feel they are being fed by that minister are to do their part. I am not a government approved non-profit organization even though I am very non profit... I preach the gospel because I have been called to do that not because I thought I was going to get rich off of it. I am rich in my spirit and that is the most important thing in this life...
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