Understanding The Church God S Alternative Society

This book was not written; it was built. I was not the architect, but a laborer under the direction of the Holy Spirit whose purpose is to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not intended for casual reading, but to inspire further study of the Word. It is my hope and prayer that readers will be inspired to build upon the concept of the church as Gods alternative society. It is my hope that many sermons will grow out of what the Holy Spirit has given me to put in this book. It is my hope that it will lead to study of the Word, which reveals Jesus Christ who said, I will build my church.

This book was not written; it was built. I was not the architect, but a laborer under the direction of the Holy Spirit whose purpose is to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not intended for casual reading, but to inspire further study of the Word. It is my hope and prayer that readers will be inspired to build upon the concept of the church as "God's alternative society." It is my hope that many sermons will grow out of what the Holy Spirit has given me to put in this book. It is my hope that it will lead to study of the Word, which reveals Jesus Christ who said, "I will build my church."

Living in God's Alternative Society: The Place for Spirit-Led Living presents the challenge of living in this world while not being a part of it. The believer faces the impossible challenge of living the "Christian" life in his own strength and ability--which proves to be futile. Essential truths for living the 'overcoming-life' of a true believer are organized into thirty-three topics. These topics are designed to give strong Biblical guidance toward spiritual maturity by rejecting the world's view of life. Living in God's Alternative Society is a follow-up to Understanding the Church: God's Alternative Society, Westbow Press. The faith-life that believers experience in God's alternative society is both spiritual and supernatural. It enriches the reality of the life that we can enjoy while passing through this world, preparing for eternal life with Him!

The church has been established as that place where the values of eternity operate in history. It is a place where weary people can go to find truth, acceptance, freedom, forgiveness and hope. Operating in the world while being a model for the world, it offers an alternative to the world. God has so positioned and postured this unique body of Christ as a community of individuals spiritually linked together with the primary purpose of reflecting and legislating the values of His kingdom. In One Church Under God, Dr. Tony Evans explores the purpose, Person, presence, people, power and proclamation of the church in order to equip believers to fully live out the great commission of Christ. This booklet is a part of the Life under God series, a 5-book series adapted from the 5 sections found in The Kingdom Agenda, the legacy work of Dr. Tony Evans. This booklet is based on the “One Church under God” section.

This collection of essays, sermons, and prayers urges the church today to be the sort of community that sustains a vigorous and continuing conversation within itself as to who has called it into being, to whom it is responsible, and what it is called to be and to do. Jones reminds the church that it is an alternative political community called into being by the Gospel. This collection explores what it means to be such an alternative community in tumultuous times, in times when it is tempting to look to the world for answers, and to confuse loyalty to the nation-state with loyalty to God. A theme throughout all the writings is that the church is the necessary context for becoming and being a Christian.

Together: Community as a Means of Grace addresses the concept of community as an avenue to a deeper relationship with God. Using an ecumenical Wesleyan approach, Duggins explores the concept of "God as community" to conclude that bringing people together in almost any setting allows them to grow in God's image. He frames this idea using the historical concept of the "means of grace": the ordinary ways in which people encounter God. Drawing heavily on the work of the Missional Wisdom Foundation, Duggins begins with a reflection on the community-building aspects of traditional church. He then uses storytelling to introduce four common forms of community: community through work, community through food, community through children's schools and activities, and community through shared recreational activities. Together is intended to help Christian people embrace the freedom to experiment with alternative forms of Christian community. Duggins nudges the missional imagination of people who long for spiritual connection and growth, but for whom traditional church is not the answer. Using a "yes, and" approach, he shows that traditional church can empower and stand alongside new forms of community, each of which can act as a means of grace.

Rodney Clapp asks and answers the question, How can the church provide a significant alternative to the culture in which it is embedded?