" THE CHURCH "

" CHURCH: " Also called the Body Of Christ. In a more limited sense, it often refers to a Local Body, a local assembly Of Believers. Now Moses warned the people not to forget God when they entered the Promised Land and become prosperous. Prosperity, more than poverty, can dull our Spiritual Vision because it tends to make us self-sufficient and eager to acquire still more of everything except God. The same thing can happen in our church once we become successful in terms of numbers, programs, and buildings, we can easily become self-sufficient and less sensitive to our need for God. This leads us to concentrate on self-preservation rather than thankfulness and service. Not just my opinion, read or re-read the Holy Bible. The importance of regular worship is vital for us all. Now Jesus went to the synagogue "as this was his custom." Even though he was the Perfect Son Of God and his Local Synagogue undoubtedly left much to be desired, Jesus attended services every week. His example makes excuses for not attending church sound weak and self-serving. Make regular worship a part of your life. Once again Jesus is the Cornerstone of the Church, the Cornerstone unites two walls at the corner of a building and holds the building together. Without Jesus, there would be no church, because it wouldn't be able to stand. LAST POINT: Just as Peter had revealed the true identity of Christ, so Jesus revealed Peter's identity and role. Later, Peter reminds Christians that they are the church built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone. It is faith like Peter's that is the foundation of Christ's Kingdom. Until Next Time... Jim,