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  WHAT IS THE GREATEST NEED IN THE CHURCH TODAY
  by Alan Cairns
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Summary: The greatest need of the Church today is to know and live
according to the Gospel, taking it seriously and proclaiming it to the
world.

Duration: 3:30 Topics: "Gospel Truth", "Justification By Faith"
Scripture References: Acts 4:12, Acts 12:5, Romans 1:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, James 5:16

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DESCRIPTION
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The greatest need of the Church today is to truly understand, believe,
and live by the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture. This
involves taking the Gospel seriously, not conforming it to modern
culture but confronting culture with the unedited truth of the Gospel.
Emphasizing the importance of grasping the biblical doctrine of
justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone as a
motivating force in personal and corporate church life. Additionally,
there is a crucial need for the church to prioritize and practice
fervent, scriptural prayer as commanded in the Bible.

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CONTENT
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The greatest need of the Church today is what it has always been. Times
change, but men don't. The greatest need of the Church today is to know
Christ as he's revealed in the Gospel, to know that Gospel, believe that
Gospel, and live according to that Gospel.

Now that's simple. In words, it has a profound effect upon life. What
I'm saying is that the need of the Church of Jesus Christ is to take
seriously the Gospel we pretend or profess to believe.

And I'm not saying all profession is a pretense. Some people only
pretend to believe it. Some people profess to believe it with truth.

You know where you come in there. But we've got to take the Gospel that
we pretend or profess to believe, take it seriously, take it according
to its own terms as revealed in the Scripture, live by it, and proclaim
it. There are too many churches and too many Christians who are wanting
to cut away at the Gospel, edit the Gospel to bring it into line with
modern so-called culture, whereas what they ought to be doing is be
willing to confront the culture, the people of today, in the lifestyle
they're living, with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us know the Gospel. Let us apply the Gospel. Particularly, I would
say it's very, very important that we would get back to where our
reforming forefathers were and grasp the full import of the biblical
doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ
alone.

If we understand that, and that becomes the motivating power of our
lives, it would make a world of difference personally and also to the
corporate life of the church. So broadly, I would say, get back to the
Gospel. In some specific terms, one great need of the church is to learn
the biblical art of prayer.

That which the Bible speaks about constantly, it commands it, it calls
for it, attaches great promises to it, we all pay lip service to it, and
yet, how few churches really give themselves to prayer. How few churches
really have a prayer meeting where the church, as in Acts 12, meets to
pray. These are the needs.

Now, if these needs are met, that will mean that we have a church that's
once again unashamed to be separated from the world and separated unto
Christ. Ultimately, that is the great need of the church.

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Video: https://sermonindex2.b-cdn.net/RwJnOoR9ZxM.mp4
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/alan-cairns/what-is-the-greatest-need-in-the-church-today/
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