International Church

I = International

C = Christian

C = Church

G = Groningen

ICCG = CCG: Dutch + Internationals

How it began…..

God created:

• The universe

• Heaven and earth

• Everything on it

• A people (Adam and Eve)

The dwelling place of God’s people

• Originally on the earth

The earth was cursed since the fall

• At a point in time God made a covenant with Abraham:

He promised to him the land of Israel

• But God wanted more: Through Christ God reconciled all of His people: the people of God

The People of God

• Redeemed by Christ

• Receive the name of Christ (Rev. 3:3)

• New nation: the Kingdom of God, represented by the Church

• Will live forever with God on the new earth and under the new heavens

The City of God

Abraham was looking forward to the ‘city of God’ (Hebr. 11:10).

the City of God = the Church = the dwelling place of the people of God

- The New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2)

- An everlasting city (Rev. 21:4)

- Revelation: the beauty of the city

The Bride of Christ

The church is also called:

The bride of Christ (Rev. 21:9, Eph. 5:26)

• Spotless, without wrinkle

• Holy, without blemish

• Loved and nourished

• Beauty and radiance

The body of Christ

And the body of Christ:

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it (1 Cor. 12:27)

• One in Christ (Rom. 12:5)

• We belong to one another (1 Cor. 12)

• Christ is the head (Eph. 5:23, Col. 1:18)

• We all play our own ‘part’ in the body (1 Cor. 12)

Naming God’s people• Bible:

SaintsChildren of GodGod’s chosen, God’s called (Rev.17,14)………

• In daily life:ChristiansBelieversDisciples

Christians

And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:26).

named after Christ (= anointed)

They were recognised being with Christ

A cultural/denominational name

BelieversAnd these signs will accompany those who

believe…. Mark 16:17

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned Mark 16:16

The only way to become a Christian is by believing in Jesus’ death and Resurrection

Disciples

Jesus: go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19)

Jesus didn’t told us to ‘make’ Christians or believers, but to make disciples…..

The body of Christ (the Church) is made of disciples

Disciples

A disciple is someone who:

• Is a Christian

• Believes that he is saved by Jesus’ sacrificial death

• Is determined to lay down his life for Jesus and to follow Him wherever He goes.

• Trains himself in daily life to surrender to Jesus

What are you?

Are you…..

• A Christian

• A believer

• A disciple

How do you know…..?

What is our destiny?

• Proclaiming God’s excellence (1 Pet. 2:9)

• Showing God’s original purpose with mankind (Matth. 5:14: light to the world)

• Making disciples from all nations (Matt. 28:19)

• Living with God forever and enjoying His presence forever (Rev. 21:3, 1 Thess. 4:17)