The 21st century church contest

^{Essay Contest}

^{A. Amos Love}

^{What should a congregation following Jesus Christ in ministry look like?}

^Preface

^{Just wondering if this is a trick question?}

^{1 – Entries being judged are to be “1 – Biblically rooted.”}

^{Isn’t there a question about “the question” being “biblically rooted?”}

^{A – Can’t find any “christian congregations” in the KJV Bible.}

^{B – Can’t find any “congregations following Jesus Christ” in the KJV Bible.}

^{C – Can find – “disciples following Jesus Christ.” Mat 8:23}

^{If “congregation” refers to a gathering of the ekklesia, then;}

^{D – Can find – “120 disciples of Christ gathered together.” Acts 1:15}

^{E – Can find – “the church, the ekklesia, gathered together.” Acts 14:27}

^{If “congregation” refers to sons of God, those born of the spirit, then;}

^{F – Can find – Those born of the Spirit are like the wind,}

^{you don’t know where they come from or where they are going. Jn 3:8}

^{G – Can find – Sons of God are led of the Spirit of God. Rom 8:14}

^{If “following Jesus Christ” refers to being led by Jesus, then;}

^{H – Can find – for one is your master/leader, the Christ. Mat 23:10}

^{I – Can find – My sheep hear my voice and follow me. (Jesus) Jn 10:27}

^{If “following Jesus Christ in ministry” refers to how Jesus did/does “ministry/service,” then;}

^{J – Can find – Jesus doing nothing of Himself;}

^{but speaking those things the Father taught Him. Jn 8:28}

^{K – Can find – Jesus could do nothing of himself, but what he saw the Father do. Jn 5:19}

^{L – Can find – Jesus not seeking His own will, but the will of the Father. Jn 5:30}

^{M – Can find – Jesus; of no reputation, the form of a servant, humbles Himself. Phl 2:7}

^{M – Can find – “all” the disciples of Christ calling themselves “servants” of Christ.}

^{Hopefully, this new question works for you.}

^{What should a congregation of “disciples of Christ,”““the ekklesia of God,”“ sons of God,” following Jesus Christ in ministry look like?}

^{Wouldn’t it look like common, not many wise, unlearned and ignorant folks, spending tie with Jesus and causing the religious leaders to marvel and forbid them to speak the name of Jesus?}

^{Disciples, the ekklesia, and son’s, will – “Trust and obey; not think and decide.”}

^{They listen for and hear “His voice,” follow Him, and are willing to lose their life to save it.}

^{They preach the Kingdom of God, (God having the rule, reign and dominion within a life.)}

^{They heal the sick, cast out demons and proclaim, the Kingdom of God has come to you.}

^{This congregation of “Disciples of Christ,”““the ekklesia of God,”“ sons of God,” will;}

^{Forsake all…}

^{Love not the world…}

^{Love not their own life…}

^{Just want to know Him…}

^{Count all things but dung…}

^{Always take the lower place…}

^{Make themselves of no reputation…}

^{Gives thanks for all things… All things? Yes.}

^{Deny themselves and pick up their cross daily…}

^{Counts all the shame, “joy,” for what lies before them…}

^{Love the Lord their God, love their neighbors, love themselves…}

^{Forsake all honor, glory, praise, power, profit, prestige, recognition, reputation…}

^{Like the early believers, they are called out of “the religious system of the day” into a relationship with Jesus Christ. They follow and obey Jesus.}

^{The early disciples observed first hand the relationship Jesus had with His Father.}

^{They witnessed a God/man deny Himself and rely on His Father in the unseen realm of Spirit.}

^{This congregation of “disciples of Christ,” today, will also learn to trust in the indwelling Christ.}

^{This congregation of “disciples of Christ,” will be led by the Spirit. The Lord directing their steps.}

^{This congregation of “disciples of Christ,” will “all” be taught of God. Jn 6:45}

^{They will go out, not knowing where they are going. Heb 11:8}

^{They will hear His voice and not harden their hearts. Heb 3:15}

^{They will obey His Voice and He will be their God. Jer 7:23}

^{They will walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Cor 5:7}

^{This congregation of “disciples of Christ,” are “the called out one’s,” the ekklesia, the Church.}

^{Jesus is the head of the body (the ekklesia, the called out one’s), the church.}

^{They are “called out of the religious system” into a relationship with Jesus.}

^{They are “called out of the worlds system” into the Kingdom of God.}

^{They are “called out of self” into the body of Christ.}

^{They are “called out of sin” into righteousness.}

^{They are “called out of bondage” into liberty.}

^{They are “called out of darkness” into light.}

^{They are “called out of death” into life.}

^{What will a congregation following Jesus Christ in ministry look like?}

^{On second thought; Can we really know?}

^{Didn’t the Jewish religious leaders know what “The Christ” would “look like?”}

^{God loves to do things that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart. 1 Cor 2:9}

^{This congregation will remember not the former things. God will do a new thing, “now.” Isa 43:18}

^{They will forget those things that are behind. And reach forth for those things that are before. Phil 3:13}

^{They will be new creatures, old things will have passed away and all things are new. 2Cor 5:17}

^{They will put their hand to the plow and not look back. Lk 9:62}

^{What will a congregation following Jesus Christ in ministry look like?}

^{I don’t really know.}

^{I just pray that I endure till the end and I’m still a part of this congregation of disciples of Christ.}

^{That I might be found in Him, following and serving Him when He appears.}

^{That I might hear; “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Amen.}