WHAT SHOULD THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD LOOK LIKE?

What Should the Church of the Living God Look Like? I have recently been thinking on what the Church should look like. I look around and see many variations of the way the Church conducts itself. I grew up in a church that I thought was really outward focused. I have served in churches that were inward focused. I have viewed churches that were committed to service. I have also seen churches that were all about Sunday morning and what happens on their church campus. So which one is right? This may shock you but they are all wrong…and right. Yesterday as I sat in staff meeting I heard our Pastor say what he believes the Church should look like. Let me list what he said and where it comes from. First, the Church should be passionately in love with Jesus. Luke 10:27. And He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind…" Second, the Church should be passionately in love with the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Third, the Church should be passionately in love with each other. John 13:34-35. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Fourth, the Church should be passionately in love with our neighbors. Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Fifth, the Church should be passionate about sharing our love with the world. Mark 16:15. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Matthew 28:19-20. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Let’s pray together that FBC Canton becomes this kind of church. Aaron Hodges