{"id":8529,"date":"2019-09-06T20:12:03","date_gmt":"2019-09-07T00:12:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ovcf.org\/ovcf_wp\/?p=8529"},"modified":"2019-09-06T20:12:03","modified_gmt":"2019-09-07T00:12:03","slug":"brideofchrist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovcf.org\/ovcf_wp\/2019\/09\/brideofchrist\/","title":{"rendered":"The Church – Capital C – The Bride of Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"

THEME: Unsinkable
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n

SERIES: Postcards<\/h2>\n

TITLE: <\/strong>The Church – Capital C – The Bride of Christ<\/h2>\n

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18, Acts 2:42-47<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h4>\n

I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What the Church IS NOT\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. \n
      \n
    1. (A Model or Formula<\/u>): The \u201cHOW-TO\u201d of a church does not define what \u201cchurch\u201d is!<\/li>\n
    2. (A Program<\/u>): The \u201cWHAT WE DO\u201d of a church does not define what \u201cchurch\u201d is!<\/li>\n
    3. (A Building<\/u>): This may be WHERE the church gathers, but it is not \u201cthe church.\u201d<\/li>\n
    4. (A Social Club<\/u>): Reducing the church to a social gathering strips the church of its power, its position and its purpose.<\/li>\n
    5. (A Pastor Following<\/u>): DANGER ZONE! People are fallible! Put your pastor on a pedestal and you be disappointed, the pastor will be burned-out and the church will be without its spiritual power or influence!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      II.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What the Church IS\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n

      Charles Swindoll in The Church Awakening<\/u>: <\/em>\u201cThe church is a body of people called out from among the world for the distinct and unique purpose of glorifying their Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n

      Minimalist Definition: \u201cThe Church is a \u2018family\u2019 of Christ-followers with a purpose: to make much of Christ!\u201d<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n
          \n
        1. FAMILY: not a blood family, but a spiritual family of 2.2 billion!<\/em>\n
            \n
          1. Transcends all (divisions<\/strong>) and is totally (diverse<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
          2. We are inseparably connected and in need of one another<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
          3. CHRIST-FOLLOWERS: we each individually relate to Christ!<\/em>\n
              \n
            1. He is the (object of our faith<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
            2. He is our (Savior<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
            3. He is our (Lord<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
            4. He is our (Greatest Treasure<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
            5. WITH A PURPOSE: TO MAKE MUCH OF CHRIST!\n
                \n
              1. Through (Worship<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
              2. Through (Obedience<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
              3. Through (Evangelism<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
              4. Through (Prayer<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
              5. Through (Love<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                Early Church Snapshot:\u00a0 Acts 2:42-47<\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                THEME: Unsinkable SERIES: Postcards TITLE: The Church – Capital C – The Bride of Christ Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18, Acts 2:42-47   I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What the Church IS NOT\u2026 (A Model or Formula): The \u201cHOW-TO\u201d of a church does not define what \u201cchurch\u201d is! (A Program): The \u201cWHAT WE DO\u201d of a church does not define what … <\/p>\n

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