Mystery of the Living God's Church Preface In every generation, people have wrestled with the same questions: What is the true Church? Where can it be found? Who belongs to it? These questions are not new, yet they remain as urgent today as they were in the days of the apostles. We live in a world filled with countless groups that call themselves “churches.” Each has its own teachings, traditions, and practices. Each claims to represent God. Yet, when we look closely, we see division instead of unity, contradiction instead of harmony. This raises a profound mystery: if there is one God, why are there so many churches? This Chapter, Mystery of the Living God’s Church, is written to guide the reader into the heart of that question. It is not a work of human speculation or denominational defense. Rather, it is an exploration of the Scriptures themselves, where God reveals the truth about His Church. The Gospel ahead will uncover the Church as the Body of Christ, the blessed Bread of life, and ultimately, as Christ Himself. We will see that the true Church is not a building, an institution, or a human organization, but a living reality founded, owned, and sustained by Jesus Christ. Part One: What Is the Church of God? The Question of Many Peoples In every city, town, and village, one cannot help but notice the multitude of groups that call themselves “churches.” Each belongs to a different denomination or religious movement, each with its own teachings, traditions, and ways of worship. Yet, despite their shared claim of serving God, they do not walk together in unity. Every group insists on its own truth. Every group defends its own doctrine. And though nearly all of them speak about God, they do not agree with one another. This reality raises deep and troubling questions in the hearts of many: - How many churches does God truly have? - What exactly is a church? - Which one is the true church? - Who is the owner and builder of the church? - How can we find the true church? These are not small questions. They go to the very heart of faith and salvation. To answer them, we must turn not to human traditions or institutions, but to the Word of the Living God. The Church as the Body of Christ The Scriptures reveal that the Church is not a building, a denomination, or an earthly organization. Instead, it is described as the Body of Christ. - Colossians 1:18 — “And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.” - Ephesians 4:4–5 — “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” The Church is one body, with Christ as its Head. Believers are united to Him and to one another as members of this living body. This is the first great truth: the Church is not many, but one. --- The Church as Blessed Bread The Scriptures also reveal another mystery: the Church is represented as bread. - Matthew 26:26 — “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’” Here, bread symbolizes the Body of Christ. Since the Body is the Church, the bread also represents the Church. Before giving it to His disciples, Jesus blessed the bread—showing that the Church is blessed food for His followers. Thus, the Church is not only the Body of Christ but also the spiritual nourishment of His disciples. It is food for the soul, blessed and given by Christ Himself. Jesus Christ Is the Church The mystery deepens further: Jesus Himself declares that He is the Bread of Life. - John 6:35 — “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” - John 6:48 — “I am the bread of life.” If the bread is the Body, and the Body is the Church, then the Church is Christ Himself. He is the foundation, the head, the life, and the very substance of the Church. To understand the Church is to understand Christ. To belong to the Church is to belong to Him. The Rock and the Builder Jesus confirmed this truth when He spoke to Peter: - Matthew 16:17–18 — “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Notice: Jesus says “my church”—singular, not plural. He is the builder, the owner, and the foundation. His Church is not a man-made institution but a spiritual building established on the Word of God. And it cannot be destroyed by the powers of hell. Entering Into Christ (the Church) How then does one enter this true Church? 1. The Key Understanding - Jesus Christ is the Church. To enter the Church is to enter the Son of God (1 John 5:20). 2. The Gift of God - John 3:16 — God gave His Son as a gift. A gift is not earned; it is received. Salvation is not by human effort but by grace. 3. The Truths of Salvation - The world did not ask for the Son, yet He came to save. - The world was unbelieving, yet salvation requires faith in Him. 4. Christ the Way - John 14:6 — Jesus is the only way to the Father. - John 5:24 — Hearing His Word and believing brings eternal life. → Hearing the Word → Faith → New Birth → Entry into God’s family. 5. The Family Picture - Just as you did not choose your earthly family, you do not place yourself into God’s family. Christ Himself brings you in (John 10:16). 6. The Blood of Christ - Ephesians 2:13 — We are brought near by His blood. It is His blood that places us into His Church. 7. The Great Truth - Christ is revealed. - The Word is heard. - Faith is born. - By His blood, we are placed in Him. Summary of the Mystery - The Church is the Body of Christ, with Christ as its Head. - The Church is blessed Bread, spiritual food for His disciples. - The Church is Christ Himself, the Bread of Life. - Jesus is the builder and owner of His one true Church. - Entry into the Church is not by human effort but by faith, new birth, and the blood of Christ. Therefore, to belong to the Church is to belong to Christ. To understand the Church is to understand Him. To be born again. THE CHURCH IS A DWELLING, NOT A PLACE YOU GO 📖 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” — John 5:24 • If you read and understand the Gospel, you will see that you do not “go” to church — rather, you dwell in it. • The Church is an eternal dwelling place. • You do not put yourself into this Church; you are placed into it by God. • You are taken out of another church(Kingdom of Darkness-Death), which belongs to Satan, and transferred into the true Church of Christ. (John 5:24) 🔥 This is what Jesus meant when He said you have passed from death into life. ─── 📌 Placed Into Eternal Life • You are placed into this Church through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16). • This Church is the true life, and it exists forever. • To be in the Church is to be in Christ — a spiritual reality, not a physical location. ─── ⚠️ Do Not Be Mistaken • If you say you “go” to church, you misunderstand. • The true Church is not a building you visit, but a spiritual dwelling where you abide forever. • These are things that happen in the Spirit, not in human structures. ─── 📝 Summary 1. The Church is eternal, not temporal. 2. You are placed into it by faith, not by human effort. 3. The Church is the dwelling of eternal life in Christ. 🌱 Let’s Grow Together in Faith, Wisdom, and the Grace of Jesus Christ Follow our WhatsApp channel for more sermons Click the link below https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEKxaVG3R3exEJg2b1D

I attended 2 church services this week - Anglican and my pentacostal home church. Both sermons centered on Joseph - coincidence? Ha! Not likely!

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🔥 YOU ARE A PRIEST! There is something profoundly powerful about discovering who God has called you to be. You were not redeemed merely to attend services, sing songs and listen to sermons. You were called to stand before God, serve His purposes, intercede for humanity and represent His Kingdom on earth. 🔥 The Bible calls believers a “royal priesthood.” But what does that actually mean? What does priesthood demand from us? What responsibilities come with this calling? And how should a believer live when they understand that they have been set apart for God's purposes? 🎥 THE PRIESTHOOD: Understanding Your Calling as a Believer Watch the full message on YouTube [GSIM] TV: 🔗 🖇️📎https://youtu.be/XHjOXKW1mXs?si=qXk-MtINFwzWIoOt 🙏 Don't just watch it. Examine your life. Discover your calling. Respond to God. 💬 After watching, share the one truth that challenged you most. 📲 And send this message to someone who needs to rediscover their identity and calling in Christ. 📖 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…” — 1 Peter 2:9 🔥 Gospel Spirit International Missions [GSIM], Reconciling Divinity with Humanity. #ThePriesthood #PriesthoodOfBelievers #ChristianSermon #BibleTeaching #ChristianFaith #GSIMTV

🔥 YOU ARE A PRIEST! There is something profoundly powerful about discovering who God has called you to be. You were not redeemed merely to attend services, sing songs and listen to sermons. You were called to stand before God, serve His purposes, intercede for humanity and represent His Kingdom on earth. 🔥 The Bible calls believers a “royal priesthood.” But what does that actually mean? What does priesthood demand from us? What responsibilities come with this calling? And how should a believer live when they understand that they have been set apart for God's purposes? 🎥 THE PRIESTHOOD: Understanding Your Calling as a Believer Watch the full message on YouTube [GSIM] TV: 🔗 🖇️📎https://youtu.be/XHjOXKW1mXs?si=qXk-MtINFwzWIoOt 🙏 Don't just watch it. Examine your life. Discover your calling. Respond to God. 💬 After watching, share the one truth that challenged you most. 📲 And send this message to someone who needs to rediscover their identity and calling in Christ. 📖 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…” — 1 Peter 2:9 🔥 Gospel Spirit International Missions [GSIM], Reconciling Divinity with Humanity. #ThePriesthood #PriesthoodOfBelievers #ChristianSermon #BibleTeaching #ChristianFaith #GSIMTV

The blessings of reading, knowing and obeying God's words. Revelation 1 [KJV] [vs: 3] Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. You can not do what you don't know and you can not know it unless you read or hear it.obedience to God  is preceded by the knowledge of his will through the hearing of his word . There are spiritual, physical and material  benefits in obeying God but these benefits are kept away from many because of their ignorance of God's word. However to  receive the power and spiritual capacity to obey God one must be born again  John 1:12. *How to know God's word.  1, daily  reading, study and meditation of the Bible  2, constant hearing of spirit led expository sermons  *How to obey the Bible  1*scriptural and practical application and of the Bible in every area of our lifes.  *Blessings of doing God's word.  1, eternal life and escape from hell fire  2, God's presence and protection from evil  3, fruitfulness in every area of our life  4, confidence and boldness before God  5, Answer to prayers  6, victory over the enemies  7, heaven after life in the world  02 May 2026

Lesley Sumrall : Smith Wigglesworth knew these pioneers who were British intimately. He knew the pioneers of Pentecostalism. He often ministered with the Jeffreys, Donald Gee, Howard Carter, T.B. Barratt of Norway, Stanley Frodsham, and most of the others I have mentioned. Of a truth, he was born in very favorable times, surrounded by unusual men who blessed and inspired one another. And, like many other great men, he came from a humble beginning. Much of this has been told in detail in Frodsham's books and in books by others about Wigglesworth .He was hardly known beyond his hometown of Bradford until he was forty-eight years old when he received the Pentecostal experience at Sunderland under the ministry of Episcopal Vicar Alexander Boddy and his wife. Until this time, Wigglesworth was a plumber and assisted his wife, Polly, in a mission. She did the preaching, and he greeted people at the door, passed out books, and counseled at the altar. From the time Wigglesworth was six years old, he helped support his family, first by pulling turnips then by working in a factory with his brother and his father. Because he was deprived of an education, he never learned to read until he was an adult. In fact, his wife taught him to read. In later years, he said that he never read anything but the Bible. Wigglesworth was converted at eight years of age at a Wesleyan Methodist Church. At ten, he changed to the Church of England and was confirmed. He was sixteen when he went to the Salvation Army. At twenty he moved to Liverpool to work. He won hundreds to Christ, particularly the poor children who lived near the docks. He fed them from his salary and preached Jesus to them. At twenty-three, Wigglesworth returned to Bradford, where he made his home for the remaining days of his life. There, he opened his own plumbing business and met the young lady who was to become his wife. Wigglesworth received healing from a ruptured appendix. As a result, he said that God gave him great faith to pray for people suffering with appendicitis. He began his healing ministry before he was baptized in the Spirit. He usually concluded his sermons by praying for the sick. Polly Wigglesworth died before her husband began to be well-known and to preach extensively in other countries. In his later years, he became one of the best-known evangelists in the Pentecostal movement. He was accused of being "rough" with people, but he was never accused of being weak in faith. Of course, I heard about him long before I ever met him. In Sidney, Australia, a pastor asked me, "Have you ever met Smith Wigglesworth?" I said, "Not yet. I'm on my way. I'm going to find him somewhere. I have heard of some of the miraculous things that happen in his unique ministry." The pastor said, "He was here in my city recently, and did we ever have a time! I took him to one of the fanciest restaurants to have lunch on Sunday. When we came into the restaurant, someone took his coat and hung it up for him. He looked around like an eagle. Only wealthy people ate in this restaurant. Instead of sitting down, he took a fork and began to hit the side of his glass with it. Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing! Everybody stopped eating. "Here was Wigglesworth, a handsome-looking man, beating his water glass. Then he raised his hand and said, 'Ladies and gentlemen, I have noticed since arriving here that none of you prayed over your food. You resemble a bunch of hogs to me. You just jump in and eat without giving thanks to the One Who provided it for you. Bow your heads, and I'll pray for you.'" The pastor told me, "I could have crawled under the table very easily and gotten out of the way so people wouldn't see me. Wigglesworth raised his hands and prayed for those people. Before we left the restaurant however, two families came over and got saved. Then I was ashamed of myself for not being as strong as Wigglesworth." Wigglesworth's ministry centered on salvation, healing, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He was strong in character and created his own atmosphere wherever he went. After receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Lord spoke to Wigglesworth to prepare a banquet for the poor, the lame, and the blind. He secured tickets and hired two people to go throughout the city and find the afflicted, the tormented, and the crippled and bring them to a supper he would provide at the mission. He often said the sight of those suppers was beyond description, and that this was the happiest time of his life. The mighty healings that took place during those times increased Wigglesworth's faith. During the 1920s, he came to America on severalevangelistic tours. The first time I heard any specific details of his ministry was in San Francisco before starting around the world with Howard Carter. I was preaching at the Glad Tidings Tabernacle, which seated more than three thousand people. People said to me, "Have you met Smith Wigglesworth?" I said, "No, not yet," and they told me he had been there in the same tabernacle where I was preaching. They told me of a cancer patient brought to the healing service. Wigglesworth went down the line, saying, "What'sup?" British-ese for "What is wrong with you?" When he got to this man lying on a bed wearing only a little hospital gown that tied in the back, Wigglesworth asked the doctor with the man, "What's up?" The doctor explained that his patient was dying of cancer. Wigglesworth asked, "Where is it?" and the doctor replied, "In his stomach." The evangelist promptly balled up his fist and hit the man in the stomach so hard the man appeared to die. His hands fell off the bed, and the doctor began to scream, "He's dead! He's dead!" He looked up at Wigglesworth and said, "You've killed him! The family will sue you!" Wigglesworth calmly looked at the doctor and said, "E's 'ealed." He talked with a Yorkshire accent, not pronouncing his "h's." He did not stop but kept on walking down the line praying. About ten minutes later, the man came down the line behind Wigglesworth on the platform. He had stood up, moved the doctor to one side, and was walking around in that funny little hospital gown with his backside hanging out before more than three thousand people! He did not have one thought for his appearance, however. He had his up hands over his head and was screaming, "I'm healed! I'm healed!" Even the doctor had developed faith. He was right behind the sick bed yelling, "He's healed! He's healed!" The man caught up with Wigglesworth and said, "I have no pain. I feel wonderful inside. I have energy I have not had for I don't know how long," but Wigglesworth never even turned around to look at him. He just said, "Well, thank God for it," and went on praying for people. It was no big surprise to Wigglesworth. He already knew the man was healed. That was the first time I had heard a detailed story of Wigglesworth's ministry, although I had heard about him since I was a small boy. After hearing this story, I thought, "Say! Someday I want to meet him." Then I went to New Zealand and Australia and heard more stories, including the incident in the restaurant, which only increased my desire to meet this man. When I met him I was not disappointed. He was just what I expected him to be from all that I had heard about him from the people of the nations I had visited, where he had conducted meetings. Some ministers found Wigglesworth too strong in faith, and that frightened them. Also, he was strong in rebuking them for not having any faith. I loved him and his attitude against sin and sickness. In fact, the stories had not been enough to really tell me what the man was like, nor can any book written about him do Smith Wigglesworth justice. - Dr Lester Sumrall (Pioneers Of Faith)

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𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥 ✍️ “𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩— 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩.” Words alone cannot carry the full weight of the Gospel. The world observes our actions before hearing our confession. People may ignore our message, but they rarely miss our conduct. Whether we are weary from serving or tempted to hide, the question is not whether others are watching—but whether our lives are pointing them to Christ. Jesus declared in 🕮 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟓:𝟏𝟔: “𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯.” He spoke these words to disciples surrounded by a watching world. Their lives were to be a visible testimony, not a hidden faith. Christ reminded them that they were the light of the world—not because of their own goodness, but because His light now shone through them. A lighthouse does not argue with the darkness; it simply shines. Its light is not for itself, but for those who need direction. So it is with the Christian: our good works are not to draw attention to us, but to lead others to glorify God. Our lives are not meant to draw attention to ourselves but to the Christ who lives within us. Scripture repeatedly connects our testimony with our conduct. We are called to “𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥” (𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟒:𝟏), to “𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥” (𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟏𝟓), and to be “𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥” (𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟏𝟓). The Gospel is proclaimed not only by what we say but also by how we forgive, serve, and love. Our message should never outrun our manner of life. People may forget our sermons, but they rarely forget our example. “𝘉𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳” (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟑:𝟑𝟓). Don't let Sunday's message be erased by Monday's lifestyle. Our testimony may be the first Bible some people are willing to read. Before Christ called us to let our light shine, He came as “𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥” (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟖:𝟏𝟐). He lived the perfect life we could never live, died for our sins, and rose again in victory (𝟏 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟑–𝟒). Through His saving work, He not only forgives our sin but also transforms our lives for His glory. We do not shine to earn salvation—we shine because the Light of the World now lives within us. If someone watched our life this week without ever hearing our words, what would they learn about Christ? Does our daily testimony make the Gospel more believable or more confusing? We don’t need Christ merely to give us a good reputation; we need Him to make our life a testimony, so that our works are seen, our Father is glorified, and our witness is clear. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Heavenly Father, thank You for saving us and calling us to reflect the beauty of Christ before a watching world. Forgive us for the times our lives have hidden Your light instead of revealing it. Help us to walk in holiness, humility, and love, so that others may see Christ in our lives and glorify You. In Jesus' Name. Amen. Remember, a dose of God’s Word a day will keep you going all day! 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝... _____________________________________________________ All scripture references were taken from the KJV Bible. Thank you for allowing this ministry to be a part of your day… If my posts speak to your heart, you may be blessed by the full devotional series created for deeper reflection and journaling: 👉 FREE FlipBook Previews: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/ae17998766.html 📚 Also available now on Amazon (Kindle & Paperback) ✨ Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! https://www.amazon.com/author/dennislastimoso Also, just in case you need a reliable, dedicated online Bible Study Tool, I created one for you. 👉 Try it here for FREE, anytime at your hand: https://www.baptistry.app Your support helps us continue this ministry, edifying the believers around the world. May God bless you more abundantly…

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