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  THE CHURCH NEGLECTS WHAT GOD WANTS IT TO BE
  by Andrew Murray
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Summary: The church neglects its purpose when it fails to live solely
for God's glory and prioritize the perishing world, leading to a
dependence on man's wisdom rather than the Spirit.

Topics: "Divine Calling", "Church's Mission"
Scripture References: Matthew 5:14-16, Acts 1:8, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:15-16, Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Peter 2:9

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DESCRIPTION
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Andrew Murray emphasizes the church's neglect of its divine calling to
be a light to the Gentiles, highlighting the need for Christians to live
solely for God's glory and the salvation of others. He points out that
this neglect is often unintentional, stemming from a lack of awareness
of their true calling and the consequences of their disobedience. Murray
argues that despite the abundance of scripture, the church fails to
grasp the truth because it is often approached through human wisdom
rather than the power of the Holy Spirit. He calls for a return to a
faith that is rooted in the demonstration of God's power, rather than
mere intellectual understanding.

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CONTENT
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"Christ sent me to preach the gospel... not in persuasive words of
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith
should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." I Cor.
1:17; 2:1-5

We looked at one proof of disobedience to God's command, the neglect of
the church to be what God wants it to be, a light to lighten the
Gentiles; the refusal of Christians to live wholly and solely for the
glory of God in the salvation of men.

We dare hardly say that this neglect, this refusal, is willful. Men do
not know that they are called to such absolute devotion; that the
perishing world is really their cause; that God refuses to bless them
because they refuse to live only for him and their fellowmen.

When we ask how it is that with scripture so constantly read and
preached, and with its commands and principles so plain, the truth is
not apprehended, we are led to one of the deepest sources of all the
evil and failure in the churches.

The truth is held, is preached and received in man's wisdom, (but) not
in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

(Excerpted from The Coming Revival, by Andrew Murray , pg. 17)

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/andrew-murray/the-church-neglects-what-god-wants-it-to-be/
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