Last week we discussed how the church is supposed to be a representation of the kingdom of God on the earth. For this reason it should be the best run, most efficient, righteous, just, and powerful organization there is, an expression of the character, nature, and authority of God. Even so, at...

The church is called to be a message to the earth of God's character and power, and His kingdom, which is His rule. As the church matures into its full purpose at the end of this age, it will become a part of heaven on the earth, being ruled more by the power and authority of heaven than by the...

As I travel, I continually hear about a basic conflict between "seeker-friendly" churches and those who feel they are leading Christians to a deeper or more substantial discipleship. I am personally thankful for both types. I believe both certainly have merit and are even necessary. However, I do...

In continuing our study of the coming kingdom of God and how we are called to build a highway for the kingdom, we will look at how we can expect the church to rise up to its purpose in these times. The church is the Lord's body, and what He does He will do through His church. If we want to be a...

A few weeks ago, I had two of the most powerful visions I have had in years. I was basically shown the Lord's heart at the beginning of creation and what the main desire of His heart is now. It was His bride, the church. From these visions, I understood profoundly that the love He has for His bride...

Reinventing became the rage in industry a couple of decades ago. This included reinventing everything from basic organizational structure, to how the process of making a product was done, to how it was marketed and delivered. This was helpful to many industries and businesses, but for others it...

The real strength of any church will be seen through how strong the people are, not how great the preacher or pastor is. One of the greatest weaknesses in the modern church is that the people are rarely being equipped and released to do the work of the ministry as is mandated in Ephesians 4:11-16...

One of the most important churches in the first century was not planted by apostles, but actually gave birth to apostles and a whole new kind of missionary apostle that would "turn the world upside down." This was the church at Antioch, planted by believers simply preaching the gospel. Yet this...

We have discussed two of the most basic elements of a healthy, thriving church life. One element is openness to both the old and the new, which would be both the historic church and the new breakout movements in our own time. For this to be demonstrated in local church life would mean having a...

Last week we discussed the attitude that will keep us moving, growing, and pressing on to maturity in Christ, as the Apostle Paul expressed it in Philippians 3. If Paul, who had one of the most powerful, fruitful ministries of all time had the attitude near the end of his life that he had not yet...