Unit 10, God's will and the church.

TEN. God's will and the church.


--in a nutshell <daily sidebar>


 1. When a church allows God’s presence and activity to be expressed, a watching world will be drawn to Him.
 2. A church comes to know the will of God when the whole body understand what Christ –the Head—is telling it.
 3. A church needs to learn to function as the body of Christ.
 4. I understand the will of God for my church when I listen to the whole body express what they are experiencing in the life of that body.
 5. Right relationships with God are far more important than buildings, budgets, programs, methods, church personnel, size, or anything else.

--in more detail <daily subheadings>


(1) The church: Being is more important than doing [holy, unified, loving], Knowing and doing God’s will as a church
summary> When a church allows God’s presence and activity to be expressed, a watching world will be drawn to Him; church mission to carry out the Father’s redemptive purposes; God wants His people to be holy and pure; and to display unity [of heart; of intention –not simple conformity]

(2) Discerning God’s will as a body: church decision making, real motivation
summary> Every believer has direct access to God, Individual opinions matter less than God’s will, Church needs to learn to function with Christ as the head; must wait for God’s timing

(3) The body of Christ –part 1: The Holy Spirit equips each member to function in the body, The body of Christ in 1 Cor. 12
summary> The Holy Spirit is the gift; God puts spiritual leaders and members in the body where He wants them to be; Members of the body should have equal concern for one another; different assignments for members and leaders for the good of the whole body

(4) The body of Christ –part 2: God’s concern for the body of Christ
summary> Jesus is the body’s head; God is concerned about body unity

(5) Life in the body: A covenant relationship, God builds the body to match the assignment
summary> God doesn’t add members to the body accidentally; God equips the body to carry out its assignment; I will pay attention to the people God adds to my church

::::: DVD message notes 1-5, p223