God's People the Church

By Bennie L. Ervin

It is my desire that this book will help believers in Christ to get a good understanding of what the church is and the reason God called a people out of the world to be His church and to be a mighty force on earth. To help and show the people of God, how sacred and serious Gods work is, therefore all believers in Christ are held accountable of how they handle His church and Gods word the Bible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512757750

Bennie L. Ervin

Pastor B. L. Ervin was called into the ministry on September 8, 1974. Was ordained at Pine Grove M. B. Church, Jackson, MS, where I was also a faithful member under the leadership of Rev. Spencer Houseworth. Pastored three churches, Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Benton, MS, Rock Star Baptist Church, Brandon, MS, and currently is the Pastor at Mount Charity Baptist Church, Ridgeland, MS. Received the Bachelor of Theology Degree from the Mississippi Baptist Seminary, Jackson, MS, Master of Art Degree from the University of Biblical Studies, Bethany, OK, Doctor of Theology Degree, Magna Cum Laude, Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA. I have been blessed, not only that, but the churches I pastured has been blessed also, because God, The Holy Spirit, has been my guide, and has been with me.

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GOD’S PEOPLE THE CHURCH

BENNIE L. ERVIN

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Copyright © 2017 BENNIE L. ERVIN.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-5774-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-5775-0 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 3/2/2017

CONTENTS

Introduction

God’s People The Church

The Three Skills For Christian Growth Is Bible Reading, Giving And Prayer

God’s People The Church Must Be Filled And Guided By The Holy Spirit

God’s People The Church Must Be A Church With

The Holy Spirit

Humility

Prayer

Seek The Lord

God’s People The Church Must Seek The First Things First

Under Orders

Bibliography

Dedicated

TO MY LOVELY WIFE, RUBY

Who has always been my loyal supporter.

AND IN THE MEMORIAL OF MY MOTHER

RACHEL ERVIN

Who taught me how to love the Lord and how to

Respect people, the old as well as the young,

How to be honest and fair in all my dealing.

ALSO TO

Mount Charity Baptist Church, who has helped me to

Become a better servant for God.

INTRODUCTION

It is my desire that the reader will learn that the church is not only the place of worship for Sunday, or for mid-week services, the church is in each Person who believes the Gospel and are saved. The church must stand up Against the world system, anything that tries to hinder and to change God’s Word. It seems that everything in the world is against God and His people. Therefore we must be real in our walk of life, and be sober because the devil and his demonic spirits are trying to stop the church from doing the will of God. Some churches and pastors gives in to the devil’s attack because they want to be popular. But we must remember God called the church to bless and not to impress.

MAY GOD BLESS EACH PERSON WHO READS THIS BOOK.

GOD’S PEOPLE THE CHURCH

One day Jesus came into the coast of Caesarea Philippi, a city in the extreme northern part of Palestine at the foot of Mount Hermon, the scene of Christ’s famous charge to Peter and the Transfiguration Matthew 16:13-20, 17:1-13. He came with His disciples and made a profound announcement. But before his announcement He asked His disciples a profound question, Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?

They answered by saying, some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias, and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus had called Himself the Son of man, identifying Himself as both human and divine.

Peter now calls Him, The Son of the living God. Jesus blessed Peter, and said, Thou art Peter (a little rock),and upon this rock (a big rock Petra), I will build My church. Jesus did not say the church would be built on Peter as some would have you believe. The church would be built upon Himself, who is the great rock, the rock of ages. 1 Peter 2:6-8, It is contained in the scripture, Behold I lay in Zion a Chief corner Stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.

Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone which the builder disallowed. The same is made head of the corner, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. We learn in 1 Corinthians 3:11, For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Jesus said while talking about the foolish and the wise builders and those who hear his word, and those who refuse to hear His word He said in Matthew 7:24-25, Therefore whosoever heareth these saying of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. We need to make sure we have the right foundation.

Christ is the sure foundation, and every believer in Christ are small building stones built into a holy temple in the Lord. We need to remember and understand Jesus said, I will build my church. The church belongs to Christ, and He is the head of the church. No human being is the head, no preacher, no pastor, whatever title he may be call, no church member is the head of the church. The church belongs to Christ and Christ only.

The church is alive because Christ is its living head, Ephesians 2:4-7 says, But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together