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The Reality and Building Up of the Body of Christ

“But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ. Out from whom all the Body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love.” (Eph. 4:15-16)

For the reality and building up of the Body of Christ, we need to live in the resurrection life of Christ under the unique headship of Christ and grow up into the Head, Christ, in all things. (Knowing Life and the Church, Banner 4)

The reality of the Body of Christ is a corporate living of the conformity to the death of Christ through the power of His resurrection. Because the Body of Christ is in the mingled spirit, to be in the reality of the Body of Christ is to be in the mingled spirit and to live in the mingled spirit. (Msg 6, III.D.)

The growth of the Body of Christ is the increase of Christ in the church, which results in the building up of the Body by the Body itself. When Christ enters into the saints and lives within them, the Christ within the saints becomes the church. The Body of Christ grows by the growth of Christ within us and is built up this way. (Msg 6, V.A.)

College Campuses in Los Angeles

The start of a new academic year is a strategic time to contact the many freshmen who are open to something new and searching for a direction in life. With this goal in view, please continue pray:

  • That the saints would be supplied and strengthened to continue going out on the gospel while there is still an open door at the start of the new semester.

  • For our students to be built up together in the enjoyment of the Lord—especially in twos and threes—to be fruit-bearing branches and feeders of sheep.

  • That the Lord would lead us in our follow-up contact of the new ones, which includes knowing whom to focus our labor on, and that these ones would be open to our saints.

  • For the building up of the vital group living in the homes as a strong net to gain the new students for the church.

  • For much mutual shepherding between the students and the community saints.

Increase in Los Angeles

By May 2018, our church-wide goal is to see a 15% increase to 700 saints meeting on the Lord’s Day. As we enjoy the church life, “continuing steadfastly with one accord” (Acts 2:46), let us inquire of the Lord to increase us “with men like a flock” (Ezek. 36:37).

German Elections

On September 24, elections will take place to choose all the members of the national parliament; the parliament will then elect a chancellor, the national leader.

God “gave Him [Christ] to be Head over all things to the church, which is His Body” (Eph. 1:20-23). Lord, exercise Your headship over this election and over the cultural atmosphere in all of Germany for the sake of Your Body!

India

The churches in India request prayer:

  • that the Lord may strengthen the local churches in the major cities there by the constitution of the ministry of the age, the rich experiences of life, and the establishment of the practice of the God-ordained way for the sake of His testimony.

  • that the Lord may continue to spread into many more cities, especially in the North of the country (with a population of approximately 800 million) that many sons of peace and seekers of the truth may be gained for His move.

The current three-page “News of the Churches in India” is at https://churchinlosangeles.org/prayer/.

Continuing Burdens

Hurricane Harvey: Those who feel to give to the saints in Houston whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Harvey can designate their offer­ings “Houston.”

Oak Glen: Lord, grace us (2 Cor. 8:1, 4, 6-7, 9) to give monthly for the payments on this property.

Announcements

  1. Morning revival: Week 6 in Knowing Life and the Church (Memorial Day Conference). After week 6 we will begin Crystallization-Study of Ezekiel, vol. 3 (week 13).

  2. The Thanksgiving Conference will be in Phoenix Thursday night, November 23 to Lord’s Day noon, November 26. Information is at https://churchinlosangeles.org/prayer/.

  3. Information about Germany and Europe: see September 10 prayer (“Older Entries” near bottom of https://churchinlosangeles.org/prayer/).