It was good to welcome Adam again this Sunday as he walked us through what the Bible shows us about what the Church is, and how it relates to us in Medway Valley now, in 2025.
He referenced to passages from Acts, Acts 14v21-28 and Acts 2v42-47
In the early Church, there was a gospel focus. They were preaching the gospel, reaching the unreached. There are multiple locations - some places they're there for a short period, and other places, they stay there for a long time.
There are ministers of the gospel and ministries that are also trans-local; particular people that move about across the churches
The Church meet, there's a strengthening of disciple, the apostles strengthening in the faith, in the word, encouraging the church to stand firm, particularly in the face of pressure and persecution.
So what is a Church? It’s a group of believers together. They gather regularly, devoted to Jesus, loving God and loving other people, growing in obedience, holiness. They know what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit together, and to keep in step with the Spirit of God as they're led together in those close relationships that they are building. Becoming more like Jesus, they'll be becoming more humble, they will be more lowly, they will be meek, those that are preferring one another, those that are not proud and self-seeking, but seeking the good of the whole community that they're part of, those that are relying upon the Lord, trusting in the Lord, like a tree that has its roots going down deep beside a river, and they gather to worship, to pray, and as part of that, that group will be sharing the Lord's supper, they will be baptising people (these are two really important things that are means of God's presence and grace to us), they will be witnessing in words and in works and wonders. And when they're together, they'll be contributing - everybody has a part to play. When you are together, everyone is a participator in the spirit of God, 1 Corinthians 14 talks about everyone having the spirit, so anyone can pray or prophesy or bring a word of encouragement from scripture, everybody's got a part to play. 1 Corinthians 12 talks about a body, that everybody has got a part, is like a part of the body, everybody gets to bring something to contribute.
Cornerstone City Church - Medway Valley Community https://www.cornerstonecity.co.uk/medway-valley
Email: wouldham@cornerstonecity.co.uk
Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cccmedwayvalley