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Life of the Church

At the Lord's Supper, Christians eat and drink together. We call it communion because by it we are unified in Christ. This togetherness—this community—is central to the life of the Church. Its distinguishing feature is not multiplicity, but oneness: "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph. 4:4-6).

Like all good stories there is unity to the story of the Church. It looks much different now than it did in the first century, but it's still the same Church. Part of its life is this story: where did it come from, who keeps it together, where is it going? While there are all kinds of interesting particulars, there is really only one answer to these questions: Christ. He is the founder of the Church, He is its sustainer, and He is the goal toward which it is progressing. History will culminate in the absolute glorification of Christ before all creation, and the Church's primary task is to prepare the way for Him. The Church is healthiest when Christians are most dedicated to this task. This doesn't mean the death of denominations, it simply means they will be working humbly together. Just as the men of Israel worked together to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem (Neh. 3), so all Christians regardless of denomination must build the kingdom together.

To be successful the Church must be healthy internally. Its worship must reflect the standards and guidelines found in the Bible, and its observance of the sacraments cannot be taken lightly or neglected. The Church is to be the one consistently safe place for Christians in a mostly hostile world. This is not to imply the Church is a location or building but that it is a spiritual presence providing refuge for the people of God.

The apostle John made it plain how the Church is to hold itself together. The world will know us by our love, he said. "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:11). The Church is at its best when it is filled with the selfless love of Christ and is sharing that love with the world.

It is the Church's responsibility to spread the kingdom Christ set up during His lifetime. This kingdom is spiritual and its citizenry is increased whenever someone is baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but it exists in a physical world and will lead to the transformation of all civilization and culture. While this goal often seems hopeless and beyond reach, God has promised that the Church will triumph:

"On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." — Matthew 16:18

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

 

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Active Filters: 12th grade (Ages 17-18)
"But Don't All Religions Lead to God?"
by Michael Green
from Baker Books
for 7th-Adult
in Evangelism & Missions (Location: XAP-EVA)
$13.00
Against All Odds
by Jim Stier
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99
Alphabet Makers
by Hyatt Moore
from Wycliffe Bible Translators
for 8th-Adult
in History of Books & Language (Location: HISV-BOOK)
$5.00 (2 in stock)
Already Gone
by Britt Beemer, Ken Ham, with Todd Hillard
from New Leaf Press
for 11th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Ashamed of the Gospel
by John F. MacArthur jr.
First Printing, Underlining from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in Ecclesiology (Location: XTH-ECC)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Atlas of the Islamic World
by Francis Robinson
from Facts On File
for 9th-Adult
in Historical & Cultural Atlases (Location: HISRF-ATLAS)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church
by Michael Lawrence
from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in Biblical Theology (Location: XTH-BIB)
$8.50 (1 in stock)
Blood of the Moon
by George Grant
from Wolgemuth and Hyatt
for 9th-Adult
in World Religions, Cults and Sects (Location: XAP-WRCS)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Body of Divinity
by Thomas Watson
from Banner of Truth Trust
Theology for 9th-12th grade
in Puritan Writings (Location: XCH-PUR)
Book of Psalms for Singing
by Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
from Crown and Covenant
for 7th grade-Adult
in Hymnals & Psalters (Location: XWO-HYMN)
$21.00
Carved in Ebony
by Jasmine L. Holmes
from Bethany House
for 10th-Adult
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
Celebrating the Sabbath
by Bruce Ray
from P&R Publishing
for 11th-Adult
in Worship & Sabbath (Location: XWO-SABB)
$6.99
Cell 58
International Adventures
by Dan Baumann
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$12.50
Children of the Promise
by Robert Booth
from P&R Publishing
for 11th-Adult
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
$14.99
Christian Theology and Ancient Polytheism
by Marcia Brim
from Brimwood Press
for 6th-12th grade
in Tools for Young Historians (Location: BIBWV-TYH)
$35.00
Christianity, Cults & Religions
by Rose Publishing
7th edition from Rose Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in World Religions, Cults and Sects (Location: XAP-WRCS)
$4.99
Christianity, Cults & Religions
from Rose Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in World Religions, Cults and Sects (Location: XAP-WRCS)
$14.99
Classic Baptism
by James W. Dale
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Compact Guide to World Religions
by Dean C. Halverson
from Bethany House
for 9th-Adult
in World Religions, Cults and Sects (Location: XAP-WRCS)
$16.00 $9.50 (1 in stock)
Comparative Religions - Curriculum Pack
by Bodie Hodge & Roger Patterson
from Master Books
for 11th-12th grade
in Worldview Curriculum (Location: BIBWV)
Counterfeit Revival
by Hank Hanegraaff
from Thomas Nelson Publishers
for 11th-Adult
in Christian Cults & Sects (Location: XAP-CCS)
Created to Flourish
from HOPE International
for 7th-12th grade
in Evangelism & Missions (Location: XAP-EVA)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Creature of the Word
by Matt Chandler, Josh Patterson, Eric Geiger
from B&H Books
for 11th-Adult
in Church Government (Location: XWO-GOV)
$14.99
Creeds of the Churches
by John Leith
3rd edition from Westminster John Knox Press
for 10th-Adult
in Creeds, Confessions & Catechisms (Location: XTH-CREED)
$26.50
Cry from the Streets
International Adventures
by Jeannette Lukasse
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$9.00
Dangerous Calling
by Paul David Tripp
1st edition from Crossway Books
for 11th-Adult
in Church Government (Location: XWO-GOV)
$18.39 $9.50 (2 in stock)
Dayuma
by Ethel Emily Wallis
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Desiring the Kingdom
Cultural Liturgies Volume 1
by James K.A. Smith
from Baker Academics
for 11th-Adult
in Art & Culture (Location: XCU-ART)
$17.50
Discipling the Nations
by Dennis Woods
from ClassicalFree Virtual Academy
for 11th-Adult
in Christianity and the State (Location: XWV-STA)
Dispatches From the Front
by Tim Keesee
from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in Evangelism & Missions (Location: XAP-EVA)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Early Islam
Great Ages of Man
by Desmond Stewart
from Time-Life Books
for 9th-Adult
in Great Ages of Man (Location: ADU-HISGAM)
Elders of the Church
by Lawrence R. Eyres
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God
by J. I. Packer
from InterVarsity Press
for 10th-Adult
in Evangelism & Missions (Location: XAP-EVA)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God
by J. I. Packer
from InterVarsity Press
for 10th-Adult
in Evangelism & Missions (Location: XAP-EVA)
Face to Face
by Steve Wilkins
2nd edition from Canon Press
for 9th-Adult
in Hospitality (Location: SS-HOS)
$14.00
Feed My Lambs
by Tim Gallant
from Pactum Reformanda
for 11th-Adult
in Communion (Eucharist) (Location: XWO-SAC2)
$15.95
Five Pioneer Missionaries
by Various
from Banner of Truth Trust
Biography for 9th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$13.00 $7.00 (1 in stock)
For the Life of the World
by Alexander Schmemann
from St. Vladimir's
for 11th-Adult
in Communion (Eucharist) (Location: XWO-SAC2)
$16.50
From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya
by Ruth Tucker
2nd edition from Zondervan
History of missions for 11th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$32.99 $14.00 (3 in stock)
Giving Wisely?
by Jonathan Martin
2nd edition
for 12th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$3.00 (4 in stock)
God Gave Wine
by Kenneth Gentry
from Oakdown Books
for 11th-Adult
in Culture of Drinking & Wine (Location: XCU-WIN)
$13.95 $7.00 (1 in stock)
God Makers
by Ed Decker & Dave Hunt
from Harvest House
for 10th-Adult
in World Religions, Cults and Sects (Location: XAP-WRCS)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Great for God
by David Shibley
from Master Books
for 7th-12th grade
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$9.59
Handbook of Christian Apologetics
by Peter Kreeft & Ronald Tacelli
from InterVarsity Press
for 9th-Adult
in Beginning Christian Apologetics (Location: XAP-BEG)
$22.00
Hipster Christianity
by Brett McCracken
from Baker Books
for 9th-Adult
in Ecclesiology (Location: XTH-ECC)
$15.99 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Hospitality Commands
by Alexander Strauch
from Lewis and Roth Publishers
for 10th-Adult
in Hospitality (Location: SS-HOS)
$4.75 $3.00 (1 in stock)
How to Grow in Christ
by Jack Kinneer
from P&R Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Bible Reading & Study (Location: XBI-STUDY)
$6.80
In the Beginning
by Chaim Potok
1st edition from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
for 10th-Adult
in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
In the Land of the Blue Burqas
by Kate McCord
from Moody Press
for 11th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
In the Shadow of Plenty
by George Grant
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 11th-Adult
in Christianity and the State (Location: XWV-STA)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Jesus Among Other Gods
by Ravi Zacharias
from W Publishing Group
for 10th-Adult
in Evidential Apologetics (Location: XAP-EVI)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
Jewish Literacy
by Joseph Telushkin
from William Morrow & Company
for 11th-Adult
in World Religions, Cults and Sects (Location: XAP-WRCS)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Law of Kindness
by Mary Beeke
from Reformation Heritage Books
for 10th-Adult
in Church Ministry & Service (Location: XWO-MIN)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Let The Nations Be Glad!
by John Piper
2nd edition from Baker Books
for 10th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$10.00 $5.00 (1 in stock)
Let The Nations Be Glad!
by John Piper
3rd edition from Baker Books
for 10th-Adult
in Evangelism & Missions (Location: XAP-EVA)
$16.99
Living on the Devil's Doorstep
International Adventures
by Floyd McClung
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Lord's Service
by Jeffrey Meyers
from Canon Press
for 11th-Adult
in Worship & Sabbath (Location: XWO-SABB)
$25.00
Lords of the Earth
by Don Richardson
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$9.50 (1 in stock)
Man With the Bird on His Head
by Abbe Anderson, John Rush
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Mecca
by Desmond Stewart
from Newsweek Books
for 8th-Adult
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Narrow Road
by Brother Andrew, Elizabeth Sherrill, Jars of Clay, John Sherrill
from Revell Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
Narrow Road
by Brother Andrew, Elizabeth Sherrill, Jars of Clay, John Sherrill
from YWAM Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Note to Self
by Joe Thorn
from Crossway Books
for 11th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$3.00 (3 in stock)
Operation World
by Jason Mandryk, Patrick & Robin Johnstone
7th edition from Biblica Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Prayer (Location: XCL-PRAY)
$15.00 (3 in stock)
Operation World
by Jason Mandryk, Patrick & Robin Johnstone
7th edition from InterVarsity Press
for 9th-Adult
in Prayer (Location: XCL-PRAY)
$25.00
Peace Child
by Don Richardson
from Regal Books
Biography for 10th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
Peace Child
by Don Richardson
4th edition from Regal Books
Biography for 10th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$15.99
Persuasions
by Doug Wilson
from Canon Press
for 9th-Adult
in Beginning Christian Apologetics (Location: XAP-BEG)
$12.00
Praying through the 100 Gateway Cities of the 10/40 Window
from YWAM Publishing
for 4th-Adult
in Prayer (Location: XCL-PRAY)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Praying through the 100 Gateway Cities of the 10/40 Window
2nd edition from YWAM Publishing
for 4th-Adult
in Prayer (Location: XCL-PRAY)
$9.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
Publish Great Things
by H. Douglas Garland
from Bob Jones University Press
for 9th-12th grade
in BJU Bible Modular Series (Location: BIB-BJUMOD)
$13.33 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Radical
by David Platt
1st edition from Multnomah Books
for 11th-Adult
in Sacrificial Living (Location: XCL-SAC)
$5.00 (2 in stock)
Reformed Means Missional
by Samuel T. Logan, Jr.
Fir from New Growth Press
for 10th-Adult
in Evangelism & Missions (Location: XAP-EVA)
$14.00
Reverberation
by Jonathan Leeman
from Moody Press
for 11th-Adult
in Scripture & Hermeneutics (Location: XBI-HERM)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Rule of St Benedict
by St. Benedict & Timothy Fry, editor
from Penguin Classics
Devotional Material for 9th-Adult
in Medieval Literature (Location: LIT2-MED)
$16.00
Rule of St. Benedict in English
by St. Benedict & Timothy Fry, editor
from Liturgical Press
Devotional Material for 9th-Adult
in Medieval Literature (Location: LIT2-MED)
Secret Believers
by Brother Andrew
from Revell Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$18.00
Shakespeare the Christian I
by Ralph Smith
from Covenant Media Foundation
for 10th-Adult
in Shakespeare Materials (Location: LIR-SHA)
$35.00
Student's Guide to Religious Studies
by D.G. Hart
1st edition from Intercollegiate Studies Institute
for 9th-12th grade
$12.99
Supper of the Lamb
by Robert Farrar Capon
from Modern Library
for 10th-Adult
in Culture of Food (Location: COOK-CUL)
$14.40
Surprised by Hope
by N. T. Wright
from HarperOne
for 9th-Adult
in Eschatology & Prophecy (Location: XTH-ESCH)
$24.99
Tactics
by Gregory Koukl
10th Anniversary Edition from Zondervan
for 9th-Adult
in Evangelism & Missions (Location: XAP-EVA)
$19.99
Taking the High Places
International Adventures
by Jemimah Wright, Terry Snow
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99 $9.00 (1 in stock)
The Koran
by Anonymous
Revised from Penguin Classics
for 10th-Adult
in Medieval Literature (Location: LIT2-MED)
The Koran
by Anonymous
Revised from Penguin Classics
for 10th-Adult
in Medieval Literature (Location: LIT2-MED)
$16.00
There's a Sheep in My Bathtub
by Brian Hogan
1st edition from Asteroidea Books
for 10th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$15.95
Thousand Year War in the Mideast
by Richard Maybury
1st edition from Bluestocking Press
for 10th-Adult
in Uncle Eric books (Location: ECON-ERIC)
$17.95
Tithing and Dominion
by Edward A. Powell & R. J. Rushdoony
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
for 11th-Adult
in Biblical Law (Location: XTH-LAW)
$8.00 $4.00 (6 in stock)
To A Thousand Generations
by Doug Wilson
from Canon Press
for 11th-Adult
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
$10.00 $4.50 (1 in stock)
Tommorow You Die
International Adventures
by Reona Peterson Joly
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$7.50 (2 in stock)
Torches of Joy
International Adventures
by John Dekker & Lois Neely
from YWAM Publishing
Missionary Biography for 10th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99 $8.00 (2 in stock)
Totally Surrounded
by Christina Davis
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99
Toxic Charity
by Robert D. Lupton
9.2.2012 from HarperOne
for 11th-Adult
in Church Ministry & Service (Location: XWO-MIN)
$11.50
True Community
by Jerry Bridges
from NavPress
for 10th-Adult
in Discipleship & Community (Location: XCL-DIS)
$7.50 (4 in stock)
Understanding the Times
by David Noebel
2nd edition from Summit Ministries
for 9th-12th grade
in Summit Worldview Curriculum (Location: BIBWV-SUM)
$10.00 (5 in stock)
Understanding the Times
by Jeff Myers & David Noebel
3rd edition from David C. Cook
for 9th-12th grade
in Worldview Resources (Location: XWV-RES)
$40.00
Walking Miracle
by Art Sanborn
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99
What Is Worship Music?
Basics of the Faith
by Paul S. Jones
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
Which None Can Shut
by Reema Goode
from Tyndale House
in Islam & Sharia Law (Location: XAP-ISL)
Why Baptize Babies?
Answers in an Hour
by Mark Horne
from Athanasius Press
for 10th-Adult
in Baptism (Location: XWO-SAC1)
$5.00
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