Being Church
The Church's primary focus is on God and its relationship with Him, born out of the gospel that aims to bring God into human life.
The preacher delves into the significance of the holy kiss in the first century, which was a physical gesture of welcome or farewell among Christians, symbolizing love and friendship. The Scriptural uses of 'philema' or kisses are explored, emphasizing the importance of greeting one another with a holy kiss as a sign of brotherly affection. Various commentators highlight the pure and familial nature of the holy kiss, distinct from romantic passion, and its role in expressing Christian love and unity within the church.
Text
If we could bring together in one huge directory a list of all the organizations, great and small, that exist throughout the earth for the promotion of special interests we would be astounded at the number of them. Almost everything that human beings do or can do has its organization, association, society or guild to focus attention upon it and promote its ends. Some of these are good, some are bad, most of them are just neutral; but each one, however boring or comical it may appear to those who are not interested, has its starry-eyed devotees who live for it alone and who derive their keenest pleasure from their preoccupation with it. In the midst of all this there is one group of persons whose absorbing interest is, or should be, God.
That group is the Church.
The Church is born out of the gospel and that gospel has to do with God and mans relation to God. Christianity engages to bring God into human life, to make men right with God, to give them a heart knowledge of God, to teach them to love and obey God and ultimately to restore in them the lost image of God in full and everlasting perfection.
Sermon Outline
- The Church's Unique Focus
- The Gospel's Purpose
- The Church's Mission
- To give a heart knowledge of God
- To teach men to love and obey God
- To restore the lost image of God
Key Quotes
“In the midst of all this there is one group of persons whose absorbing interest is, or should be, God.” — A.W. Tozer
“The Church is born out of the gospel and that gospel has to do with God and mans relation to God.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should prioritize our relationship with God above all else.
- The Church's mission is to restore the lost image of God in humanity.
- A heart knowledge of God is essential for a meaningful relationship with Him.