Life of the Church - Exodus Books

Store Location

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.

Did you find this review helpful?

Parent Categories

Christian Books

Life of the Church

Subcategories

Church Government

- 9marks: Building Healthy Churches

- Church Membership

- Women in Ministry

Church Ministry & Service

Corporate Worship

Discipleship & Community

Ecclesiology

Evangelism & Missions

- Missionary Stories

- World Religions, Cults and Sects

Preaching the Word

Sacraments

- Baptism

- Communion (Eucharist)

86 Items found Print

Active Filters:

3rd grade (Ages 8-9),

Trade Paperback

	Ambushed in Jaguar Swamp Barbrooke Grubb Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Ambushed in Jaguar Swamp Barbrooke Grubb Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Assassins in the Cathedral Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Assassins in the Cathedral Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Attack in the Rye Grass Marcus & Narcissa Whitman Trailblazer Series by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Attack in the Rye Grass Marcus & Narcissa Whitman Trailblazer Series by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Blinded by the Shining Path Romulo Saune Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Blinded by the Shining Path Romulo Saune Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Caught in the Rebel Camp Frederick Douglass by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Caught in the Rebel Camp Frederick Douglass by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Chimney Sweep's Ransom John Wesley by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Chimney Sweep's Ransom John Wesley by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Danger on the Flying Trapeze D.L. Moody Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Danger on the Flying Trapeze D.L. Moody Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Defeat of the Ghost Riders Trailblazer Books by Dave Jackson, Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Defeat of the Ghost Riders Trailblazer Books by Dave Jackson, Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Drawn by a China Moon by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Drawn by a China Moon by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Escape by Mona Dunckel from Bob Jones University Press for 3rd-4th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Escape from the Slave Traders David Livingstone TrailBlazer Books from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Exiled to the Red River Chief Spokane Garry Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Exiled to the Red River Chief Spokane Garry Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Eyes on Jungle Doctor Jungle Doctor #10 by Paul White from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $8.99
	Fate of the Yellow Woodbee Nate Saint by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Fate of the Yellow Woodbee Nate Saint by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Flight of the Fugitives Gladys Aylward Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Flight of the Fugitives Gladys Aylward Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Forty-Acre Swindle George Washington Carver TrailBlazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Forty-Acre Swindle George Washington Carver TrailBlazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	God Speaks Numanggang (old cover) by David Hazell from My Father's World for 2nd-4th grade in My Father's World (Location: CUR-MFW) $4.50 $2.50 (2 in stock)
	Hidden Jewel Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Hidden Jewel Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Hostage on the Nighthawk William Penn Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Hostage on the Nighthawk William Penn Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Jungle Doctor and the Whirlwind Jungle Doctor #1 by Paul White from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Jungle Doctor Attacks Witchcraft Jungle Doctor #16 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD)
	Jungle Doctor Goes West Jungle Doctor #17 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD)
	Jungle Doctor in Slippery Places Jungle Doctor #6 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Jungle Doctor Looks for Trouble Jungle Doctor #13 by Paul White from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD)
	Jungle Doctor Meets a Lion Jungle Doctor #9 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD)
	Jungle Doctor Meets Mongoose Jungle Doctor's Animal Stories #6 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $8.99
	Jungle Doctor on Safari Jungle Doctor #8 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $8.99
	Jungle Doctor on the Hop Jungle Doctor #2 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Jungle Doctor Operates Jungle Doctor #14 by Paul White from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD)
	Jungle Doctor Pulls a Leg Jungle Doctor #12 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $8.99
	Jungle Doctor Sees Red Jungle Doctor #18 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD)
	Jungle Doctor Spots a Leopard Jungle Doctor #3 by Paul White from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Jungle Doctor Stings a Scorpion Jungle Doctor #11 by Paul White from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD)
	Jungle Doctor to the Rescue Jungle Doctor #15 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD)
	Jungle Doctor's Africa Jungle Doctor #7 by Paul White from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $8.99
	Jungle Doctor's Casebook Jungle Doctor #19 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD)
	Jungle Doctor's Crooked Dealings Jungle Doctor #4 by Paul White from Christian Focus Publications in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Jungle Doctor's Enemies Jungle Doctor #5 by Paul White from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Jungle Doctor's Hippo Happenings Jungle Doctor's Animal Stories #4 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $8.99
	Jungle Doctor's Rhino Rumblings Jungle Doctor's Animal Stories #5 by Paul White Reprint from Christian Focus Publications for 3rd-6th grade in Jungle Doctor (Location: SER-JD) $8.99
	Kidnapped by River Rats William & Catherine Booth by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Listen for the Whippoorwill Harriet Tubman Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Listen for the Whippoorwill Harriet Tubman Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Mask of the Wolf Boy Jonathan & Rosalind Goforth Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Mask of the Wolf Boy Jonathan & Rosalind Goforth Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Mayflower Secret Trailblazer Books by Dave Jackson, Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Mayflower Secret Trailblazer Books by Dave Jackson, Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola from Holiday House for Preschool-3rd grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $8.99
	Peanut Butter Friends in a Chop Suey World by Deb Brammer from Bob Jones University Press for 3rd-4th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Quest for the Lost Prince Samuel Morris by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Quest for the Lost Prince Samuel Morris by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Risking the Forbidden Game by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Risking the Forbidden Game by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Roundup of the Street Rovers by Dave Jackson, Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Roundup of the Street Rovers by Dave Jackson, Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Runaway's Revenge John Newton Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Runaway's Revenge John Newton Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Science in Early Islamic Cultures by George W. Beshore from Children's Press for 3rd-6th grade in History of Science & Mathematics (Location: SCI-HIS)
	Sinking the Dayspring by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Sinking the Dayspring by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	These Are My People by Milly Howard from Bob Jones University Press Biography for 2nd-4th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $10.00
	Thieves of Tyburn Square Elizabeth Fry Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Thieves of Tyburn Square Elizabeth Fry Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Tinker's Daughter A Story Based on the Life of Mary Bunyan Daughters of the Faith by Wendy G. Lawton from Moody Press Biography for 3rd-6th grade in Daughters of the Faith (Location: SER-DAU) $7.99 $5.50 (1 in stock)
	Traitor in the Tower John Bunyan Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Traitor in the Tower John Bunyan Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Trial by Poison Mary Slessor Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Trial by Poison Mary Slessor Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Warrior's Challenge TrailBlazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Bethany House for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
	Warrior's Challenge TrailBlazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson from Castle Rock Creative for 3rd-7th grade in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL) $8.99
	Window on the World An Operation World Prayer Resource by Daphne Spraggett, Jill Johnstone Revised Edition from InterVarsity Press for 2nd-8th grade in Devotions for Kids (Location: BIB-DEV) $30.00

Shop

Support

Hours & Directions

Connect