7 GREAT Things About The Church

I have been attending the Pentecost celebrations at Global Spheres Ministries (GOZ) Chuck Pierce's Church in North Dallas area. There has been a lot of talk about the Church in the Book of Acts, and the ministry of the Apostles and other 5-Fold leaders. The emphasis has been on the leaders of the Church equipping the SAINTS (all Believers) to do the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:12). This is modeled so wonderfully in the Book of Acts - I just want to note that when you look at all the miracles in this book that come from the Apostolic leaders...it accounts for 39...

The Believers and other leaders are accredited with 30 miracles! Almost as many!

We tend to think of big name leaders doing all the signs,wonders and miracles, but the greatness of the Church must surely be the power of God flowing in, and through the entire Body of Christ.

So...although this book is called The Acts of the Apostles, it is clear that the ministry of ordinary Believers such as you and I is just as significant as the great champions of the Church. We are called to do great things in the Kingdom of God.

In the Book of Acts, we can see that there are 7 GREAT things about the Church:

• Acts 4:33 They had GREAT power

• Acts 4:33 GREAT grace (charis/favor) was upon them all

• Acts 5:5, 11 A GREAT fear of God gripped their hearts

• Acts 6:8 They ministered with GREAT wonders

• Acts 8:1 They suffered GREAT persecution

• Acts 8:8 Even through days of great persecution, they had GREAT joy (15:3)

• Acts 14:1 ...and as a result, GREAT multitudes believed (17:4)

Excellent Ones...

It is interesting to note that the term “excellent” is not often used to described individuals in the Word - so these ones who are excellent are worthy of special observation:

In the Bible we can find three excellent women…

• Ruth 3:11 Ruth—she is known throughout the city as virtuous, excellent, noble, brave, strong. Ruth is excellent in loyalty, faithfulness and Godliness in days of corruption and rebellion. She was a convert from paganism, and she gave up all she knew in order to serve another (Naomi). Not only that, Ruth had to be very courageous in order to leave her home - excellent endurance saw her through to her destination and into history.

• Prov. 12:4 Unknown Woman—she is a crowning joy to her husband. She is earnest and strong in character.

• Prov.31:10 Unknown Woman—she is worth more than rubies, capable, intelligent and virtuous. She is excellent above all others (Pr. 31:29):

Verse 10 – she is valued above rubies

Verse 11 – she is trustworthy

Verse 12 – she is good to her husband all the days of her life

Verse 13 – she is able to work excellently with her hands

Verse 14 – she is excellent with all manner of cooking

Verse 15 – she is a hard worker and a servant to all

Verse 16 – she is a good gardener and enterprising

Verse 17 – she is strong on the inside and the outside

Verse 18 – she is intelligent and industrious

Verse 19 – she is able to spin and weave clothing

Verse 20 – she is kind to those who are poor and needy

Verse 21 – she is brave and properly prepared for all weather

Verse 22 – she is clothed in fine garments, which she has made

Verse 23 – she is represented in the gates of the city by her noble husband

Verse 24 – she is an excellent businesswoman

Verse 25 – she is clothed with strength and honor

Verse 26 – she is wise and kind of speech

Verse 27 – she is responsible and guards her household

Verse 28 – she is honored by her family – those who knew her the best

Verse 29 – she is excellent

Verse 30 – she walked in the fear of the Lord

Verse 31 – she is fruitful and praised in the gates

...one excellent man (no comments)

• Dan. 5:14—The Spirit of God was in him, also light and understanding and excellent wisdom.

...one excellent King...

• Ps. 45:2 Solomon/Christ—You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever (NIV).

The word "excellent," here, means that the excellent one has built the family name.

...and multitudes of excellent Believers...

• Ps. 16:3 Unknown Saints of God—excellent, majestic, glorious, noble ones—The delight of the Lord is in these.
In the NLT He calls them His true heroes: the Godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!

It is fascinating to me that the majority of excellent ones found in the Bible are unnamed. Only Ruth and Daniel are identified by name. We are called to be excellent in God's kingdom - the story of God's excellent ones is still being written - our names need to be added to God's list of those who are excellent! Whatever you put your hand to - do it well - do it excellently as a reflection of the Most Excellent One - Jesus!

More on excellence: HERE and HERE and HERE