This is part two of this message of recovering the Body of Christ, and helping you to undrestand yourself as a Spirit-gifted, vital part of Christ's body. In this lesson, we discuss how we got where we are with clergy and laity and the institutional mindset which is opposed to New Testament vision for the Body of Christ.

The first pricniple of discipleship is loving Jesus beyond any person, place, or thing. This means family, self, and possessions must take their proper place. The good news is once we have committed to love Jesus supremely, these others thing also find there true place and meaning.

In this introduction we share the purpose and goals of this series on discipleship.

America is entering a time of economic uncertainty, says the media. So then, how are we as Christian to respond to such times as these? In this brief exhortation, you will learn to resist the temptation to fear, hoarding, and anger, and instead learn to trust the living God. It is godliness with contentment that is the true wealth, no matter what the state of Wall Street.

Do you realize that because the Holy Spirit dwells in you that this makes you a Spirit-gifted, vital minister in the Body of Christ? It is true. The ministry belongs to Christ, and He ministers in and through and among the entire Body and this includes you.

In the fourth century, what was the body of Christ became under the institutional church system in service to The Holy Roman Empire. Not all complied. Many escaped to the mountains and desert places. But in the new system, only was the gospel lost, so also was the New Testament pattern and purpose for the church. For you to grow in Christ you too must escape this system and find fellowship that supports God's purpose to conform you into the image of His Son.

It is often thought that a Christian owes fellowship with anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ. But this is simply not true. We are to be discerning as to with whom we fellowship. And we must be content to know that genuine fellowship is always found among the few and not the many. Here is some biblical guidance to help you put this into practice and find the true fellowship you crave.

This is part two of the two-part series: One Thing is Necessary. Here we take a closer look at what it means to live and love like Jesus: the one thing necessary for the Christian life. We examine Christ's character on three essential points: 1) Single-mindedness, 2) Purity of Heart, and 3) Purity of devotion.

To follow Jesus is to follow his way of life. And it is a joyous way of life. Nothing brings greater purpose and meaning to your life than to realize you are in fact becoming more like Jesus in very practical, and always. relational ways.

There is a way of following Jesus that Jesus himself commands; it is a way of life that he models for us. This way involves focusing on the one thing necessary. Ony one thing. In this brief exhortation, we examine how to adopt this way of life.