Basic Principles
GOD’S PROMISES AND PROVISIONS FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH
I. God anointed Jesus (the Anointed One, The Messiah) to preach the Good News to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, release the oppressed and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18-19). God gave his only son, Jesus as a blood sacrifice for the sins of the world (John 3:16). Simeon, in the temple, saw the baby Jesus and acknowledged Jesus as God’s salvation for mankind. “Mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” (Luke 2:30)
II. Jesus accomplished His anointed purposes on earth. To continue His anointed purposes, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit and established the church.
“Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” (Matthew 16: 18-19)
“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” (Psalms 127:1)
III. The church is Christ’s body, the completion of Jesus:
“God put all things under Christ’s feet and gave him to the church as supreme Lord over all things. The church is Christ’s body, the completion of him who himself completes all things everywhere.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)
IV. God has empowered the church (God’s People) with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2) to be the church God designed it to be and for the ministry God entrusted to the church and to do greater things than Jesus.
“I am telling you the truth: those who believe in me will do what I do- yes, they will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)
V. The church is like a human body (I Corinthians 12:27) with Jesus as the Head (Ephesians 4:15) of each church and every member as an important part of the church.
“All of you are Christ’s body and each one is a part of it.” (I Corinthians 12:27)
VI. New Testament churches were established through the Holy Spirit by proclaiming God’s Word and appointing elders to be leaders/servants.
“In each church they appointed elders and with prayers and fasting, they commended them to the Lord.” (Acts 15:23)
VII. Christ has established the church with five basic purposes:
Love God – Worship – “Love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
Love people – Fellowship – “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 23:34)
Grow into likeness of Christ – Discipleship – “We must grow up in every way to Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)
Service – Ministry – (I Corinthians 12:27-36; Romans 12:6)
Mission – Evangelism – “Go ye therefore into all nations” (Matthew 28:19)
VIII. God has marvelously provided for every church through the “5 Fold Ministry.”
“He appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers.” (Ephesians 4:11)
IX. The Word of God transforms the minds of believers and the Holy Spirit infuses churches with life. In the Valley of Dry Bones the Lord said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the Word of the Lord.” Ez. 37:4. The 5 Fold Ministers proclaim God’s Word. The Holy Spirit sends life.
“Tell the wind to breathe into these dead bodies and to bring them back to life.” (Ezekiel 37:9)
X. Many churches are in disrepair and not living in the fullness of God’s design. God wants to rebuild these churches using Nehemiahs who have a heart and vision for rebuilding.
“Let me go … so that I can rebuild the city.” (Nehemiah 1:5)
XI. God will provide a unique vision for each church.
“Without a vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)
XII. The Holy Spirit gives gifts (I. Cor. 12:1-11) and produces fruit. (Gal. 5:22-23)
“Every believer has received spiritual gifts for the benefit of the body” (congregation). (Eph. 4:12)
XIII. Six words characterize a vibrant, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered church: Relationship (Covenant), Purpose, Vision, Empowerment, Faith, and Obedience.
XIV. God wants to plant people in a church where they will flourish and bear fruit and always stay strong. “They are like trees planted in the house of the LORD, that flourish in the Temple of our God, that sill bear fruit in old age and are always green and strong.” (Psalms 92:13-14)
XV. Planting denotes blessing. Wandering denotes curse. When Cain killed Able, he was punished by a life of wandering. “If you try to grow crops, the soil will not produce anything; you will be homeless wanderer on the earth.” (Genesis 4:12) Many Christians seem to prefer “wandering” to “being planted,” trading a blessing for a curse.
XVI.The inheritance of salvation granted through Jesus’ death on the cross includes a life of purpose and destiny in a Christ-centered, Bible based, Spirit empowered church where we learn love, forgiveness, and experience blessings and fruitfulness.
