We see Jesus,

who was made a little lower than the angels

for the suffering of death,

crowned with glory and honour.

Hebrews 2:9

We continue to send our monthly mailing with the simple desire that the material sent would be a help and encouragement to all.

This month we will just have a little look at what we enjoyed together at the conference in Anthem Arizona.

±±±

In the 1st Reading/Bible Study we looked at the ways the Spirit of God uses the word Ekklesia in scripture, which has been translated congregation, assembly, church or simply a company of called out people.

It is used to refer to a company who were not believers in the Lord Jesus. Acts 7:38 - Acts 19:32 & 39

It is used to refer to a company that could be either christian or the Jewish remnant. Matthew 16:18 – Matthew 18:17

It is used to refer to a company that is not Jew nor gentile. 1 Corinthians 10:32

It is used to refer to a company that makes up the whole body of Christ. For example Acts 2:47

It is used to refer to a company that includes all Christians in a city. For example Romans 16:1

It is used to refer to a company of Christians and meet at a specific location. For example Romans 16:5

It is used to refer to local companies that are Christians and meet at various locations in a district, province, state, county etc. For example 1 Cointhians 16:1

It is used to refer to local companies of Christians though they are not meeting according to scripture. For example 3 John verses 10

It is never used to refer to a select number of gatherings that is smaller than all Christians, or all Christians in a city or all gatherings in a district.

2nd Reading/Bible Study we looked at Ephesians 2:12-22

The church of God as the Household, the building, the Temple and the Habitation.

In the earlier verses we considered the wonderful grace that, though we were far off and had no claim, brought us into a special place of blessing

Household

A household is made up of all the people that are in the house. Each one has a specific task and each one has a place at the table. In the Lord’s household every member has a unique place and specific tasks. It is made up of all Christians everywhere and every one is needed so the household can function according to the Lord’s desires.

The building

Fitly framed together. We can say that the plans for the building have been given. In the word of God we have the layout for the foundation and order for the construction so the finished product will be to the Lord’s glory.

The Temple

Remembering the four kinds of wood used in Solomon’s temple. The floor was planks of fir for strength. The walls were carved cedar for a display of glory. The doors of the entry were of olive and the ark that came from the tabernacle was of the indestructible acacia wood.

In 1Corinthians 15:42-44 we read of the resurrection body. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption – the acacia wood. It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory – the cedar wood. it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power – the fir. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body – the olive.

The Temple in all of it’s glory will be made of people in their glorified bodies.

The Habitation

An habitation is where the owner can be completely at home with everything in it’s place as he desires.

3rd Reading/Bible Study we looked at Colossians 1:9-18

The church of God as The Body and it’s Head

The Body

One of the things that Paul heard about those at Colosse is that they had a love for all the saints. With all the saints we have been brought into some of the greatest blessing that man can enjoy. That blessing is the result of the finished work of Christ. With all the saints we have become a part of the body of Christ with Himself as the head.

The Head

Christ as the head sustains, directs and controls the body by His word. He and He alone is to have the preeminence and we can acknowledge that by properly holding the head. In other words by allowing Him to sustain, direct and control us through His word.

4^th Reading/Bible Study we looked at Revelation ch 19 v 7-8, ch 21 v 1-2, ch 21 v 9-27 and ch 22 verse 17

The church of God as the Wife and the Bride

The Wife

The wife aspect of the church is that she will sit in administration with Christ during His thousand year reign. In Revelation 19 verses 7 and 8 the wife has made herself ready. Her garment is the righteousnesses (plural) of saints. In other words every stitch in that garment is a righteous act of one of His saints.

The Bride

The bride aspect of the church is something there for His pleasure. She will be marked by this aspect for all eternity. In many countries a bride is a bride for a day and the church will be seen as a bride for that coming eternal day.

In Chapter 22 verse 17 the Spirit and the bride say “come”, it is the only word that she says. Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodocia etc. are lost sight of. At the end all we see is the Spirit and the bride in complete harmony voicing the desire for the Lord to come. The rest of the verse suggests some possible reviving of the affections for Christ, the word of God and the Gospel. A marked contrast to leaving the first love in chapter two.

We also had two meetings for ministry where two or three can take part as set forth in 1 Corinthians 14 verse 29.

The first open ministry meeting focused on reaching out with the gospel.

The second open ministry meeting focused on making much of Christ which delights the father, be it in the gospel or as Paul did serving God and His people.

±±±

We hope you found this article interesting. We send out our material to the Lord's people, not in any party spirit but, in the spirit of the one body, seeking that it might be a blessing to all. Other helpful items can be found on our web site WeSeeJesus.com.

May the Lord bless and encourage you to go on in the pathway of faith for His glory.

Yours in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Don Lewis