The Church

 

Igniting the church through service to others creates the direct relationship of giving and receiving. Serving others is where we see the hand of God move. Giving here [domestic missions] sparks giving in the pews, the body begins to see Christ's truth shown in Luke 6:38,

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

The Church is a product of His work. She's beautiful in His eyes. The church exists for us to be in Christ our Lord, to be His people, and His hands and feet. Consider the promise to Abraham:

"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)

The covenant to Abraham represents one of the main themes of the Bible, that God fills and blesses us so we are not to ourselves, but are called to share it as the primary purpose for our existence, blessed to be a blessing! It started with Israel, and continues through us today. The church is born and continues to live by the people God chooses, and the response we give: “I will be your God and you will be my people,” this is the relationship God calls us to, to Himself and then to others. God is our God and we are called to be His people, so let’s do this.