which God builds up the believer in the faith. Using the word “church” I refer to all groups which love Je sus Christ and are seeking to honor Him. Be sure you belong to a church which preaches the Gospel. Don’t waste your time where liberalism has taken over and the social gospel is the only thing that’s presented Sunday after Sunday. Take your children and go yourself to a church where the truth is really proclaimed and where the minister loves people for God. These are the functions of the local church. Its’ to be a place of doctrine, prayer, fellowship, spir itual growth and of winning the lost.
A minister was delivering a funer al service for one of his beloved church members. Without thinking of how it should sound he learned later that he had made a grave mis take. In speaking he said in very solemn tones, “This corpse has been a member of my church since be fore I came here as a pastor.” There is a great danger simply to play church and not be real. We will be dead and not alive in the things of Jesus Christ. In the Bible God gives us the example of a living, function ing church which is filled with zeal. The responsibility of the local church is to present the Gospel to the world, becoming the instrument through
FOR THE BELIEVER"
" THE LORD'S COMING
hungry for biblical truths, especially those dealing with prophecy. The study of this biblical doctrine of the Lord’s coming has brought great comfort and blessing to every believ ing heart. Paul was looking forward to either the Lord’s coming or his own death, and he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of right eousness, which the Lord, the right eous judge, shall give me at that day: and not only to me, but unto all them that love His appearing” ( I I Tim. 4:7,8). Note those words, “but unto all them also that love His appearing.” Is this true of us as well? The Holy Spirit is now at work down here in this world. There are only two groups of people who have ever lived. They are the unconverted and those who believe in Christ.
As we consider important events of the future none is quite as thrill ing as the coming of Jesus Christ in the air to receive the Church, made up of all true bom again believers to be with Himself (I Thess. 4 ¡IS IS ). This cataclysmic event will close the age of the New Testament Church, ushering in the hour of Tribulation upon the earth. During this time the anti-Christ will make his appearance and the campaign of Armageddon is going to be fought. The truth of the return of the Lord certainly fills a large part of biblical teaching. Any minister who fails to preach on this subject is ne glecting a tremendous opportunity and privilege. If we know that Jesus might come at any moment surely every believer would realize that he should be a better Christian. It is a terrific incentive for proper living and dedicated service. People are Page 30
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