The Nature of the Church

“And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the operation of the might of His strength, which He caused to operate in Christ in raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavenlies, far above all rule and authority and power and lordship and every name that is named not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Eph. 1:19-21)

“And raised us up together with Him and seated us together with Him in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:6)

The church is divine, “Christly,” “resurrectionly,” and heavenly. The church is in Christ in His ascension. The church has been resurrected with Christ and is now seated in the heavenliness in Christ. The main significance of the church being heavenly is that it is under God’s authority. The nature of the church is to submit to God’s authority. The particular nature of heaven is that it submits to God’s authority. Hence, to be heavenly is to have the nature of submitting to God’s authority. (Knowing Life and the Church, msg. 4, I.D)

Middle-Age Training

The FTTA-MA began this week in Anaheim. Nearly 80 trainees are registered for the whole term. Please ask the Lord to infuse them with life, enlighten them with truth, save them from their natural being, and lead them into coordination for serving Him.

Bibles for America

On September 9, BfA staff members will join local brothers and sisters for a one-week Bible and book distribution tour throughout Northern California. Stops include Berkeley, where we had a good distribution last year, Albany, and both the Cal State campus and city of San Luis Obispo. We’d like to visit the UC Santa Cruz and Cal State Monterey Bay campuses but need to secure authorization to distribute there.

Please pray for the opening of the hearts in this region of California. Please also pray for the tour preparations, including obtaining permission to distribute at planned venues.

Texas

Houston and the surrounding areas are still recovering from the recent hurricane. Millions of people, whether rich or poor, are acutely aware that they are but frail, mortal men. In last week’s prayer meetings, the saints in Houston offered much praise and thanks to the Lord, as well as petitions concerning all men. Saints who were not affected by the flooding have been seizing the opportunity to go out for the gospel and distribute free NT Recovery Versions and tracts.

In Houston, the meeting halls and bookstore of the church were not damaged. However, the number of saints’ homes that completely flooded is 23, of which 13 have no flood insurance. Most of these families’ vehicles were flooded as well. We are trying to arrange long-term living arrangements for some of these families. We thank the Lord that 21 saints’ homes that were evacuated, either under mandatory or voluntary orders, had no flood damage; these saints have been permitted to return.

Please continue to pray for the bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ to the saints in the region, that “this may turn out to salvation” (Phil. 1:19). May the massive disruption caused by the storm cause many unbelievers to invite Jesus into “their boat” (John 6:18-21). May the saints in this area seize the opportunity to let His word “run and be glorified” (2 Thes. 3:1)!

If the saints feel to give to the ones who are in need, practical instructions can be found at http://www.churchinhouston.org/offerings. Simply indicate ‘Flood Gift’. Offerings may also be made to the church in L.A. and designated ‘Houston’.

German Elections

Elections in Germany will be September 24, to elect 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!

South Africa

From September 8 to 10, the National Blending Conference will take place in Pretoria, South Africa. Twelve saints from Egypt are expected to attend; most of them are new to the church life. They will remain for the week after the conference to participate in the Full-time training short-term. Also expected to attend are 6 saints from Angola and potentially 10 from Zambia.

Please pray for the Lord’s timely speaking during this conference and for the blending of the saints from so many nations. As travel can be sometimes difficult, pray for the Lord to cover the saints’ transportation.

Armenia

The Recovery Version NT in Armenian, with footnotes and cross-references, has been published. Lord, bless the spread and reading of this NT in Armenia and elsewhere!

Asia

Here is a report on the blessing of the practice of the God-ordained way in various churches.

http://lmasia.org/temp/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/E-2017-08.pdf (English)
http://lmasia.org/temp/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Asia-2017-08.pdf (Chinese)

Announcements

  1. Morning revival: Week 4 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 August 13 prayer (“Older Entries” near bottom of https://churchinlosangeles.org/prayer).