7 Things - New Names God Gives To The Church

Isaiah 60 talks about the glory that will be seen on God's people. We look with great expectation for that day. As we walk in holiness we will become part of His wonderful plan to cover the earth with glory and the light of God.

Here are the new names that God has for us as we become more and more like Him:

• Is. 60:14 "...And they shall call you The City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel."
We are the "city on a hill" that Jesus spoke of - the city named Zion, which is the people and place of His presence forever.

• Is. 61:3 "...That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
We are called to be strong, fruitful trees that have roots of righteousness. Once again, the Lord is glorified because of our planting in, and life of righteousness.

• Is. 61:6 "But you shall be named the priests of the Lord. They shall call you the servants of our God"
One of the most crucial messages for the Church in these days is that she needs to take her position in the nations as one who is a servant-priest. We are the ministers of God's glory and grace. Don't wait for some famous "leader" to come to your city and release God's glory - His glory flows through His servant-priests who have His heart for the lost and broken.

• Is. 62:4 "You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married."
These are terms of endearment form the Lord to His Church. He loves us with a passion. He delights in us and has chosen us as His favored ones - to me married to Him forever.

• Is. 62:12 "And they shall call them, The Holy People..."
Our beauty and glory is in our holiness. As Robert Jamieson says: "Holiness is glory internal; glory is holiness shining forth outwardly."

• Is.62:12 "And they shall be called...The Redeemed of the Lord."
There is no glory without redemption. The is the starting point for all that God does in, ad through us.

• Is. 62:12 "...and you shall be called Sought Out, a City Not Forsaken."
The Father has sought us out - He has run after us and called us as His followers. We are not forsaken, but the cherished people of our perfect Father.

Spiritual Sacrifices 3

This is the 3rd spiritual sacrifice that David introduced in the book of Psalms.

As with all the other sacrifices, these are a description of the "work" every Believer must do when they come to worship every day, and also on Sundays as we gather for worship. We have come to believe over the years that worship is primarily about music, but the music is simply a tool to help God's people minister these sacrifices of the heart and life before God's throne. These sacrifices should be the main focus, and not the songs; the congregation should be seen as vital ministers, and not just the worship team and leaders.

The Sacrifice Of Righteousness—Ps. 51:19. The Hebrew word for “righteousness” is tsedeq, meaning, “to be right in all things—natural, moral, legal,” or “altogether just.” The broken spirit brings us into right relationship with God; the righteous life causes us to live in correct relationship with our fellow man. Worshipers must offer spiritual sacrifices that come from lives that are in right relationship with others. It is no good worshiping the Lord and hating your brother. We do not just bring our lives to worship God on Sunday. Our sacrifice of righteousness means that we must do what is just and right at all times. Just like all the other sacrifices, this sacrifice involves difficult, yet important choices to worship God in every area of life rather than just going our own way.

Psalm 118:19
He opens for us the gates of righteousness

Romans 5:17
He has given us the gift of righteousness

Isaiah 61:10
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness...

Isaiah 61:3
We are called trees of righteousness

Psalm 23:3
He leads me in paths of righteousness

 All so that we can live as:

Romans 6:18-19 ...slaves of righteousness

...and continually offer

2Cor. 9:19 ...fruits of righteousness

7 Spiritual Sacrifices Part 4: HERE