daddy4ms

Here are some quotes from books I am currently reading: We daily face the temptation of self-worship. the Holy Spirit's purpose is to point our attention continually to Jesus. Regardless of whether you're conscious of the Spirit's work in your life, he is still working. He doesn't need you to help him. He is who he is and he does what he does. The preaching is the steering wheel of the church. Is it enough simply to get sheep in the pasture while leaving them thereafter unfed? Gospel-driven preaching that proclaims and exults in the revealing of God's glory in Christ. The point is to point them to he living God in the content and through your passion so that that they might respond to God's good news in worship. for the sermon cannot do any good unless there is a savor of Christ in it. The worship gathering ought to seek to orchestrate an encounter with God, not an experience of him. The worship service is primarily about helping people...

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

As I have mentioned before, I am reading through several books this summer on our identity in Christ.  I am almost finished with Who Do You Think You Are? by Mark Driscoll, but decided to pick up another book called Identity by Eric Geiger.  The chapters I read last week were entitled, "You Are The Priest & You Are the Bride."  Here are a few thoughts from Geiger on identity: "You are a priest because God calls you a priest." "If you are a follower of Christ, God has qualified you to enter His presence." "Many Christians live defeated because they believe the lie that they are prisoners of sin. The reality is that Christ has set us free from sin. In fact, the word sinner is never used in the Bible of a Christian. While we still sin, and will struggle with sin, our identity is no longer that of a sinner. We are brand-new people." "You are the bride of Christ because Christ brought His righteousness into the relationship."

In Chapter 6 of Creature of the Word by Chandler, Patterson, & Geiger, they discuss this question in great length.  It begins the second part of the book where they explain in more detail how the church and its leaders need to keep the gospel central as they seek to be prophet, priest, and king following Jesus' example.  We will not do it perfectly, but all of these need to be present. Here are a few quotes from the chapter: "The healthier the culture, the more likely the church will impact the community around her." "Spiritual growth is the working out of what God has worked and is working in us and church ministry consists of intentionally forming culture while realizing He is the One who ultimately does the transforming." "For a church culture to be centered on the gospel, there must be harmony between theology, philosophy, and practice." "All three types of leaders (prophet, priest, king) are necessary and essential, and all thr...