Your Place in the Church
Message Summary:
In Sunday’s message, Pastor John Carter continued to teach us about the power and authority of the Church. The Church is called the hope of the world. But the Church is so much more than an organization, a business, or the four walls of a building. Remember, the “Church” always refers first to His people gathered together in His name. When you show up, the Church shows up! We are His people called out of the world and filled with a special purpose and mission.
Jesus gave His power to His Church. It is the authority to bind and loose on earth and in heaven. When we come together, two or more, and stand in agreement concerning what we ask, the Bible says it will be done by our Father in heaven. God responds to the agreement of the Church. The place of agreement is the seat of power for the Church. So, if you were the enemy, how would you come against this power? You disrupt this harmony that releases power. And that is exactly what Satan loves to do. He actively works to bring division, disruption and discord. That is why is so important to prioritize coming together in harmony, because that is where the power of God is released.
We must each take our place in the body. We all have a part to play. We all have a supply to add to the heavenly harmony that is the Church. And as we learn to come together, to unite, and to stand fast together, that is when miracles will happen. God has given His power and authority to His church as a kingdom key, a key designed to unlock spiritual and supernatural blessings here on earth. We need to know this. We need to have wisdom and knowledge about the kingdom keys given to the Church so that we begin to use them to release God’s higher purposes and promises into the world we live in. It is time for the Church to begin to understand and release the power and authority God has given her, and that can only happen when the people of God come together in unity and harmony.
Scriptures:
[Matthew 16:18-19 NKJV] 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
[Matthew 18:18-20 NKJV] 18 "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
[Ephesians 1:22-23 NKJV] 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Discussion Questions:
What is the power to “loose and to bind” discussed in Matthew 16 and 18?
What happens when the Church comes together in agreement and harmony?
What can happen when the Church understands this power (kingdom key) that is available?
What is the danger of disharmony and disunity in the body of Christ?
Why is it important to take our place in the body?
Life Application:
Over the next week, as you study the key scriptures, ask yourself the following question: Who do you agree with you in prayer? Who can you call on to stand with you in harmony and release power, if needed? Do you know who God has placed in your life to stand with you? The power of God is released when we stand together with other members of the body. If you want to see God move in your life, in your Church and in your community, you have to learn how to come together and unify together with others by the power of prayer. So, this week, make a phone call! Gather your prayer partners and come together!