A CHURCH MARKED BY GOD

Family! We have made it to the end of this blog series on "Marked by God"!

We are ending strong by taking a look at 7 elements or spiritual ingredients any church that is marked by God should be seasoned with.

Now, I know when we hear the word "church", we automatically think about a physical location where followers of Christ gather to worship and fellowship as one, of course this is part of it as well. However, I want us to keep in mind as we look at the below points that we are referring to the "Church" as truly being God's people as a whole. The previous things we looked at, I wanted us to truly apply them on an individual basis, but this time, these elements must be reviewed as we reflect on the Body (Bride) of Christ as a whole.

1.JESUS

I know, I know! For some of you guys this one is obvious so you're probably saying "well duh 🙄 of course Jesus is the centre, why even mention it?" But let me tell you, you'd be surprised how many "Christians" are dabbling in anti-Christ activities or using different methods to access the spiritual realm while confidently believing it has no impact on their walk with Christ.

John 14:6 NKJV

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.No one comes to the Father except through Me."

If we are mixing our belief in Christ with myths , legends, the universe, new age, and any understanding of God outside of the being of Jesus Christ as the Son of God who came on earth, died, resurrected, ascended back to God the Father, and will soon return to declare judgement on wickedness and usher God's people into eternal glory - then we should re-examine the path we are following and where it may be leading us because it's definitely not heaven.

Unfortunately when God's people find themselves getting caught in such practices, as I like to say, we're truly just playing ourselves and leading ourselves to destruction.

2.THE WORD AKA THE ONLY TRUTH

Hebrews 4:12 NLT

"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."

Matthew 24:35 NKJV

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."

If the Church is built on any foundation other than the word of God which are the scriptures inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by the God's chosen servants and Apostles, it is standing on sinking sand. Any word spoken by God through the breath of His Spirit stands forever and cannot be challenged, nor can it ever be fruitless. God's word withstands the test of space, innovation, technological development, time, etc. It is the only word that is able to refine (sanctify, purify, & cleanse) while also edifying (build, strengthen, & fortify) the Church. We would be utter fools to call ourselves God's church yet are guided by texts and doctrines that do not even reflect God's character or principles as given to us in the Holy Bible.

3.BAPTISM - OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 11:15-16 NLT

“As I began to speak,” Peter continued, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

Acts 19:4-6 NLT

"Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied."

The Holy Spirit anoints the Church of God with power and authority to do the works of God on the earth. The Holy Spirit equips us to prophesy, deliver, and overcome darkness. We know there are many powers and spirits which are in operation in the spiritual realms - through which we can seek "revelation", but only that which is acquired through the Spirit of God is done permanently and leads to freedom (without bondage).

Only that which is acquired through the Spirit of God is done permanently and leads to freedom

4.LOVE

God's Church reflects 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is to be present in our interactions and relations with one another as part of the Body of Christ, and the characteristics of the love God wants His Church to carry within them and share with others resemble the below.

Patience; kindness; free of envy; free of boastfulness and pride; honour; selflessness; slow to anger; free of grudges; protective; rejoices in truth; hates evil; filled with trust, hope and perseverance. It is the love that never fails.

God's Church is a Place of Freedom for those crippled by fear - 1 John 4:18

"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love."

Remember I said the Church is not a building, so we can't wait for people to attend a church service before we can extend the light of God to them, but it means that wherever the Body of Christ is present (home, grocery store, mall, hospital, event, park, etc,) if we meet someone and through our interactions with them notice they are experiencing fear of any type (i.e., anxiety, weariness, depression, confusion, hopelessness, etc.) they should leave our presence with an sense of peace, or new revelation of God's love for them (even if you did not mention the Name of Jesus). This would mean that the Church is the vessel that carries God's love to and fro, and spreads it into the hearts of those who are tormented by fear.

A Place that gives to and forgives sinners while providing a safe covering for God's sheep

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

1 Peter 4:8 - "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

Honestly guys, it is so much easier to give to people who are always on your good side, never pushes your buttons, and are basically saints in your books. You could give your all for them because they are "faultless", but giving to that friend or family member who gets on your nerves (very often), don't always know the right thing to say, and always finds a way to make you mad is a whole other level of love. I'm not talking about giving to them while grumbling, but doing it with a joyful heart with no regrets.

One thing God has definitely taught me is that it is super easy for me to be in love with Him and create a perfect bond when I am in the secret place, however, my love for Him is only truly tested when I am in the midst of people and I am challenged to love, respect, value, and treasure them regardless of their flaws. I am forced to look at every individual through the lens of Christ who sees the best in people even at their lowest in life or character. Once we break through to that realm of acceptance and recognition that every individual is deeply loved by God, then we can freely give to them and forgive their trespasses against us since we acknowledge that God also extended the same grace to us.

People should never be made to feel as though they cannot enter the Church or feel unworthy to join the body of Christ because of their sins and shortcomings, if so, we have then failed to carry out the mandate of the new covenant which was fulfilled by the shedding of Jesus' blood on the cross. He paid the price so the door would be open for sinners to enter, not so it could be shut in their faces. They should be welcomed into the midst of the Church and find peace, safety, refuge, a home, and their identity. Jesus is a friend of sinners - His arms are always wide open to receive them as they are so that He may transform them through His perfect love. The emphasis on transform means that no one who comes to Christ as a sinner (having a lifestyle unrighteousness and corruption when tested against God's word and will for us) and surrenders to the leadership of His Holy Spirit should remain the same.

"You were not anointed to be cute and brag about it, you were anointed to set the captives free within the arena to which God has called you."

5.LIGHT

A Church marked by God is filled with the Light of God - purposed to shine into the darkness of the world

Matthew 5:14 AMP - “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden"

As the light of the world, no matter how darkness is ravaging, the Church that is marked by God will stand out as the ones who cannot be negatively impacted. Instead, we will stand to shine bright over the earth to reveal the truth of God to unbelievers.

Isaiah 60:2 NLT - "Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you."

This speaks to the fact that darkness will come (we cannot avoid it), but God's light will be a covering upon His people just as the Israelites were guided by the pillar of Fire, and that light will also benefit those in the dark by pulling them (souls) out of darkness. John 8:12 NLT - Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” In sum, the Church marked by God leads souls out of the path of eternal death into the path of eternal life.

6.DELIVERANCE

A Church marked by God operates in deliverance whether that means setting minds, souls, destinies, and bodies free from any form of bondage. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) God did gift us with the Holy Spirit as our Helper along with the gifts He brings with Him for the fun of it. In other words, you were not anointed to be cute and brag about it, you were anointed to set the captives free within the arena to which God has called you.

You were anointed to operate in a realm of power and authority that differentiates you from the rest of the world, and causes you to not remain bound by the limitations of the world (i.e., illness, poverty, depression, barrenness, etc.)

The Holy Spirit has been given to the Church so that we may do as Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1-3 tells us:

“TheSpirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

A Church that is marked by God must bear the fruits of freedom - this is when we can discern that our divine assignment from God is being accomplished on the earth.

7.PRAYER

A Church marked by God is a Church that PRAYS, because a church that does not pray is a dead church. Without prayer, we cannot establish God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven because it is prayer that opens the divine well of God to release His glory on the face of the earth. Prayer is vital to the standing and operation of the Church.

Ephesians 6:18 NLT

"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."

Prayer is the channel that helps us to align God's people to His will so that they may be protected from the works of evil while fulfilling their purpose.

Acts 12:5 NKJV (verses 5-10 suggested)

"Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church."

Prayer is the key that can change a situation from death to life, break the chains of destinies bound by the enemy, and open doors beyond human strength and comprehension.

Philippians 4:6 NKJV

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"

Prayer is our lifeline of communication from our spirit to God's Spirit. As heirs of GOD living in the natural world, God needs to remain connected to our spirits, and that access is given to Him through prayer. Otherwise, we lose sight of our identity, and forget we have a source of life in God.

Prayer is a vital organ of the Church (the heartbeat), and those who are marked by God must not neglect this organ, lest we become the walking dead of the earth.

Prayer is a vital organ of the Church (the heartbeat), and those who are marked by God must not neglect this organ, lest we become the walking dead of the earth.

Talking about prayer or reading about praying, and not actually praying would be purposeless, so I encourage you to join us here for a powerful prayer session as we target the heart of the Church and cry out for God's hand to rest upon us. I pray you have been blessed by this blog series, if you have not gotten a chance to read the other "Marked by God" blogs, I encourage you to go back and do so.

Blessings to you Apple of God's Eye,