Last but not least! This message is the final message in the Focusing on the Christ series. However, as we seek to Focus On and Reflect Christ in this world the need for prayer is critical to the accomplishment of the goal. As a result of our communion, compassion and commitment to one another, we are called as a body to lift up one another in prayer before the throne of God. Could it be that the apathy and lethargy of the American church is due to a lack of faithfulness in prayer? After putting on the entire armor, we are called on to pray! If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land! ... This message was presented on July 8, 2012 by Bob Corbin.

As we seek to reflect Christ as a local body of believers, we must continue keep the goal of the assembly at the forefront of our mind. As individuals are to seek to glorify God by being conformed to the image of Christ, so the goal of the local assembly is to glorify God while coming to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. To reach this goal, we are called upon to edify one another. This is NOT just the job of the leaders of the church, rather it is for every member to do their share, causing growth in the body for the edifying of itself in love. ... This message was presented on June 24, 2012 by Bob Corbin.

What we say, and how we live, is a reflection of Who is reigning in our heart ... both individually and collectively. The church is called upon to function as a healthy body loving one another, serving one another and bearing with one another. Yet, we are called upon to go to a more proactive posture and that is to receive one another. This message exams the exhortation, exceptions and exhibition of our call to receive one another. ... This message was presented on June 17, 2012 by Bob Corbin.

As we seek to fulfill the commands to love one another and serve one another within the context of the local assembly there will be special people who making loving and serving a little more difficult. It is for those times when we as a body are commanded to bear with one another. Bearing with one another requires self-examination (considering your own imperfections), humility, gentleness and longsuffering. If we truly want to see the local body be unified and growing in Christ, we must be committed to bearing with one another. ... This message was presented on June 10, 2012 by Bob Corbin.

Scriptures tells us that the Greatest Command is to love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul and mind. The greatest expression of our love for God is our service to God (Deut 10:12). Likewise, within the assembly of those who worship God, the greatest expression of loving one another is serving one another. However, serving one another means that we must humble ourselves and lift up others. Their values and their needs must be considered as greater than my own; this is the mind of Christ. What mindset do you have regarding the value and needs of others? ... This message was presented on June 3, 2012 by Bob Corbin.

As children are a reflection of their parents, so believers should be of their heavenly Father. Just as there are certain character traits that are symbolic of certain families, so there should be of the family of God. That primary character trait should be love. Not only are we, as disciples of Christ, commanded to love one another but we are told in 1 John 4 that it is an evidence of true believers. Those who know God will love; those who do not love do not know God. That love will be manifested in our actions as a result of being sincerely present in our hearts. However, we are not commanded to love only those that we like. Rather, we are called upon to love all beleivers including those that we struggle with liking. We need to recall that we love God because He first loved us. God loved us while we were at enmity with Him. When we love one another, we give the greatest reflection of Christ to the world. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” ... This message was presented on May 27, 2012 by Bob Corbin.

The main illustration of the church in the scriptures is the body of Christ. The church, as a body, is made up of many members. In order for the body of Christ to grow biblically it needs to recognize the biblical goal set for it: "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect (teleion) man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness (plaeromatos) of Christ." This goal can only be reached by each member of the body performing his, or her, role. The body is supposed to be "joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." This can only happen if each member is committed to the body. Are you committed to the growth of your local church? ... This message was presented on May 20, 2012 by Bob Corbin.

A primary illustration of the church in Scripture is "the body of Christ." Paul declared to the church of Ephesus that "Christ is the head of the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." As the Head, He is in charge. The Body should move at His impulse. Sadly, many local churches today are dysfunctional. We need to recognize, as well, that our Head has a charge for His Body: to walk worthy. Our local churches should function in such a way that visitors would clearly know that the assembly is seeking to follow the Lord Jesus. That is accomplished when we seek to walk worthy of our calling to be holy ones in lowliness, seeking to elevate the value and needs of others above our own, and endeavoring to keep a spirit of unity and peace. How does your local church meet these qualifications? ... This message was presented on May 13, 2012 by Bob Corbin.

In the New Testament the church is described, in its relationship with Jesus Christ, as: the building, the bride and the body. Christ, as the bridesgroom, is preparing a place for His bride and will one day return to take her to His Father's home where there will be a wedding supper prepared! Until that time, the church is betrothed to Christ as His bride. We are to be united to Him in submission, holiness and oneness; seeking to reflect Him to the world in order that they may know Him too. ... This message was presented on April 29, 2012 by Bob Corbin.

As we individually reflect Christ in our lives (through our words, finances and relationships), so as a collective group of believers, the church collectively reflects Christ in their functions and interactions. The New Testament gives three illustrations in describing the church and its relationship with Christ: the building, the bride and the body. Collectively we are being built upon the foundation of the Word of God (both the Scriptures and Christ) unto holy temple to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. Is the assembly that you are fellowshipping with seeking to meet these goals? ... This message was presented on April 22, 2012 by Bob Corbin.