Tuesday 5 November 2019

Christ's Passion for His Church


Glory to God!

In this year of transformation, we are seeing how God wants to bring reversal into our lives, the Church and our cities. As we continue on this powerful journey of repentance during our 180 days of prayer for 180° reversal, we are seeing how God is revealing His love to us in an even greater measure. Just as the apostle Paul was compelled by Christ's love to lay down his own life to serve the Lord, His people and His purposes, so the Lord is stirring us to repentance and action as we grasp the depth of Christ's love for us.

We are excited about this season we are in where God is adding to our number, more young people are joining us, the church is getting together during the week, and different types of meetings are being organised for people to grow in their relationship with God and one another. 

Two weeks ago Tobias shared a message entitled, "The two sacrifices" in which he spoke to us about the difference between Cain and Abel's sacrifices. Looking at the account in Genesis 4:2-12, Tobias showed us how Abel's sacrifice foreshadowed Christ as the sacrificial Lamb of God, whom God would accept on behalf of mankind. Whilst Cain's sacrifice points to man's effort to attain righteousness apart from Jesus, Abel's sacrifice points to the righteousness that is found by faith in Christ's sacrifice. Just as God looked upon Abel and his offering with favour (Gen 4:4), so the Father looks upon His Son and His sacrifice with favour. Even though "by faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did" and "By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead," the blood of Jesus "speaks a better word than the blood of Abel" (Heb 11:4; 12:24)! In response, Tobias' Life Group shared Scriptures and the Lord's Supper with the church that developed into a very precious time of worship that went beyond the conclusion of the meeting! God is stirring His people with His love!

On Sunday, after another powerful time in worship and sharing Communion together, Richard spoke to us about "Christ's passion for His Church." Looking at the seven letters to the seven churches as recorded in Revelation chapters two and three, Richard showed us that the reason Jesus wants His Church to overcome is because He is passionate about His people. Christ's Word to the churches reveals that He wants to be her first love (Rev 2:3-5); He wants His people to be with Him for eternity (Rev 2:10); He wants to confide in us (Rev 2:17); He wants to entrust us with authority (Rev 2:26); He wants to honour us (Rev 3:4,5); He wants to establish us in Him (Rev 3:11,12) and He wants to share everything with us (Rev 3:20,21). It is therefore not surprising that the apostle Paul prays that the Church would have the power to grasp "how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge" (Eph 3:18,19) because it should compel us to live for God, His people and His salvation purposes! Hallelujah!

Upcoming Events

Tuesdays from 19:00 - 21:00 - Bible Study at Alt-Hausen 34
27.11. from 19:30 - 21:00 - Church Prayer Meeting

2020
13.01 - 02.02.2020 - Prayer and Fasting

Photo by Gabriel Silvério on Unsplash



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