The Church!: Bruised, Wounded Oops...Ssshhh, What's Up?!

By Dr. Al Miller

In this work Al Miller leaps over complicated theological jargon to deliver to us the simplicity of this vital component of the Church and leaves us wanting to pursue more about its purpose in contemporary society. I was inspired by this work and know that you will be also. The well though-out presentation of the authors proposition guides us through to the conclusion that there is a vital place for the church in our post-modern world.

Dr. Myles Munroe

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Feb 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512774733

Dr. Al Miller

Rev. Dr. Al Miller sheds much light and brings needed peace to the ongoing dark and angry debate that currently threatens to divide Christendom. He inspiringly posits that the Church’s mega messengers and their focused messages (some would argue erroneous), fit the puzzle of God’s wider master plan. It calls readers to understand the role of the Church (to reconcile, redeem and rule) and the responsibility of each of us (to walk in love and understanding). It challenges readers to recognize God’s Divine Purpose, Direction and Coordination for His kingdom purposes and our prosperity. It calls on the current mature Apostolic and Prophetic leadership of the Church to take control of the current situation and unite the true Church in this time!

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Copyright © 2015, 2017 Dr. Al Miller.

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Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 byThe Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-7472-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-7473-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017901772

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/28/2017

Contents

Foreword: Hurting Church?

Purpose and Overview: Consider the Church

Introduction: Misunderstanding

Chapter 1 The Beginning

Chapter 2 As It Was in the Beginning: Light

Chapter 3 What’s Blocking the Light?

Chapter 4 Bruised and Wounded

Chapter 5 God’s Preachers or False Teachers?

Chapter 6 Time for Healing, Unity, and Maturity

Chapter 7 What Are We? Old Church or Mature Church?

Chapter 8 Time to Commit! Time to Lead! Time to Unite!

Foreword: Hurting Church?

For the hurt … of my people am I hurt

(Jeremiah 8:21 NIV).

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you

(Matt.23:37).

During His time on earth, Jesus our Lord looked compassionately at the state of His chosen, called out people the children of Israel, and wept. In Matthew 23:37, He described them as a people who killed their own prophets and stoned the messengers sent to them. In another narrative, he profiled them as weary and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36 NKJV).

It seems that the Jews of that time were being unkind to each other; they had attacked their messengers because they did not like the messages and consequently had become a bruised, wounded, and powerless people, drifting without appropriate leadership and direction.

Jesus’s Solution

To deal with the situation, Jesus selected twelve disciples, who later became known as apostles. Apostolic order was then established to guide a cohesive force of believers to establish and grow the first-century church to impact their world with the good news of the kingdom of God. However, in pursuing that mandate, the apostles were subjected to severe opposition, injustice, and victimization, which was designed to destroy (or at least diminish) the impact of their witness. But they endured victoriously.

Just for a moment, imagine someone who has been emotionally and mentally abused by family and friends: abused by words and actions that cause her to feel isolated, inferior, debased, devalued, and useless. This abuse causes her to become insecure, withdrawn, and fearful. Eventually, she becomes so bruised and wounded in soul and mind that much therapy is needed to bring any hope of healing and restoration, in order to fulfill her potential and become the excellent person she was created to