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  MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: A.W. Tozer's sermon emphasizes the individual nature of
salvation and the essential role of the church in nurturing spiritual
growth.

Topics: "Spiritual Growth", "The Church"
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:12

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes that the essence of Christianity begins with an
individual's personal encounter with God, rather than collective church
efforts. He asserts that while the local church provides an ideal
environment for spiritual growth and the exercise of God-given gifts,
the true meaning of 'church' has been distorted over time. Tozer reminds
us that the Church is fundamentally the Body of Christ, the Bride of the
Lamb, and the dwelling place of God through the Spirit. He stresses the
significance of the Church, which was purchased by Christ's blood, as
the most important entity on earth.

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CONTENT
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Not all of the pooled efforts of any church can make a Christian out of
a lost man! The Christian life begins with the individual; a soul has a
saving encounter with God and the new life is born. All else being
equal, every individual. Christian will find in the communion of a local
church the most perfect atmosphere for the fullest development of his
spiritual life. There he will also find the best arena for the largest
exercise of those gifts and powers with which God may have endowed him.
Unfortunately, the word "church" has taken on meanings which it did not
originally have.

The meaning of the word for the true Christian was fixed by our Lord and
His apostles, and no man and no angel has authority to change it!

The universal Church is the Body of Christ, the Bride of the Lamb, the
habitation of God through the Spirit, the pillar and the ground of the
Truth. Without doubt, the most important body on earth is the Church of
God which He purchased with His own blood!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/ministry-of-the-church/
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