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  THE PRESENCE OF GOD
  by Zac Poonen
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Summary: The primary mark of a new-covenant church is the presence of
Divine life, demonstrated by conviction of sins and acknowledgment of
God's presence.

Topics: "Church Life", "Gods Presence"
Scripture References: Psalm 16:11, John 16:8, Acts 2:4, 1 Corinthians 14:24, James 4:8

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DESCRIPTION
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Zac Poonen preaches that the primary mark of a new-covenant church is
not in its structure or form of meeting, but in the presence of Divine
life. Just like a baby in the womb first has life before taking shape, a
church must prioritize having God's life within it. The key indicator of
a new-covenant church is the tangible presence of God during gatherings,
leading to conviction of sins and acknowledgment of His presence among
the believers.

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CONTENT
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What is the primary mark of a new-covenant church? Many think that it is
having a particular pattern of church government and a particular form
of meeting. But it is neither of these. The important thing about the
church is that it should have Divine life .

When a baby is being formed in its mother's womb, in its early weeks it
does not even have the shape (pattern) of a human being. It only has
life. The shape (pattern) comes later. It is the same when a new church
is being established anywhere. It will take time for the proper pattern
to emerge. But meanwhile there must be life.

The primary mark of a new-covenant church is that God is present in its
midst. When the church comes together, and everyone prophesies under the
anointing of the Holy Spirit, those who come to the meeting should be
convicted of their sins and acknowledge that God is present in the
meeting (1 Cor.14:24,25). That, and that alone proves that such a church
has the right pattern.

If the presence of God is absent, we must confess that we have come
short of God's perfect plan - and we must repent.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/zac-poonen/the-presence-of-god/
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