What is God's dream for His church?

Sister Alvear · #1 09-19-2007, 01:32 PM

I await your response>>>
Can we fulfill God's dream?

#2 09-19-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I await your response>>>
Can we fulfill God's dream?

I see this as 2-fold.

First, we are to be the bride, the Lambs wife. Our desire is to be towards our husband, Jesus. We are to always be wanting intimacy and communion with him.

Second, and this is "birthed" out of the first, we are to produce spiritual offspring. Our lives should be a continual reach to bring others to Christ. Our desire for souls should be a reflection of his desire.

To me, these two are the primary vision God has for his Church. His "dream" is that we abide in his fullness, and produce children.

Sister Alvear · #3 09-19-2007, 02:20 PM

He wants us to see things as He does...He talked often about see, look, eyes...
I guess we could say He willed us His eyes...He wants us to have the ability to see as He does.

Sister Alvear · #4 09-19-2007, 02:38 PM

"Two distinguishing marks of the early church were: 1) Poverty and 2) Power." -
T.J. Bach
Most churches have neither...oh a few poor folks and a big noise...but real power like the early church...I have seen very little of it...We are too busy collecting things to have time to pray for power...

mizpeh · #5 09-19-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph

I see this as 2-fold.

First, we are to be the bride, the Lambs wife. Our desire is to be towards our husband, Jesus. We are to always be wanting intimacy and communion with him.

Second, and this is "birthed" out of the first, we are to produce spiritual offspring. Our lives should be a continual reach to bring others to Christ. Our desire for souls should be a reflection of his desire.

To me, these two are the primary vision God has for his Church. His "dream" is that we abide in his fullness, and produce children.

This is an awesome answer!

To add to it, we as his bride and as his body are to represent Him to the world. We are Christ's ambassadors and are to be like Him. We bring light and salt to a dark and unsavory world.

mizpeh · #6 09-19-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

"Two distinguishing marks of the early church were: 1) Poverty and 2) Power." -
T.J. Bach
Most churches have neither...oh a few poor folks and a big noise...but real power like the early church...I have seen very little of it...We are too busy collecting things to have time to pray for power...

Other distinguishing marks of the early church are Love and Fellowship.

stmatthew · #7 09-19-2007, 09:31 PM

Another great thread that has the potential of great substance, and already has begun to take that shape with the posts thus far.

Michael The Disciple · #8 09-19-2007, 10:55 PM

He wants it to grow up into HIM in all things.

11: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
14: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15: But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Eph. 4:11-15

A man does not go out looking for a little girl to marry. He wants a woman the same stature of himself that they may fellowship in understanding.

#9 09-20-2007, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

"Two distinguishing marks of the early church were: 1) Poverty and 2) Power." -
T.J. Bach
Most churches have neither...oh a few poor folks and a big noise...but real power like the early church...I have seen very little of it...We are too busy collecting things to have time to pray for power...

that's not true...

the early church wasn't that poor, they were just underground, there is a difference...

There is direct evidence that as early as Paul's ministry people who were mayors and very wealthy land-owners were converts...

Look at Philemon... Ananias & Saphiris... you can't sell property if you don't own property and you don't own property if you aren't wealthy in the ancient world...

Rico · #10 09-20-2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redeemedcynic84

that's not true...

the early church wasn't that poor, they were just underground, there is a difference...

There is direct evidence that as early as Paul's ministry people who were mayors and very wealthy land-owners were converts...

Look at Philemon... Ananias & Saphiris... you can't sell property if you don't own property and you don't own property if you aren't wealthy in the ancient world...

You are forgetting the land was given to them.