Pictures of the Church
Some say we are living in an “ identity crisis” regarding the nature of the Church. 81% of Americans believe that they can be “ religious” but do not need to be affiliated with any church of any kind. Even average church members seem to attach little value to their church lives.
With such views eroding our thinking regarding the Lord’s Church maybe what is needed is a return to God’s view of the Church. In the Bible we find many “ snapshots” so to speak, metaphors which help us to see what God wants His Church to be.
The Church, like Old Testament Israel, is depicted as the bride of Christ – Hosea 1:2; Eph. 5:22-32. The Church, again like Israel, is called the family or household of God – Jer. 31:1; Eph. 2:19. The Church, like Israel, is the flock of God – Isa. 40:11; John 10:16; Acts 20:28. The Church, like Israel, is the Lord’s vineyard – Isa. 5:1- 7; John 15:1-6.
But there is one picture of the Church in the New Testament which has no parallel in the Old. The Church is the Body of Christ – Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:13, 27; Eph. 1:22-23. This vivid picture, exclusive to the New Testament, shows the Church not as an organization but as a living organism made up of many mutually related parts with Christ as the head. By remembering that the Church is people, in relationship to Christ and one another in a new humanity, maybe we can avoid the worldly ways and methods of manmade organizations, and submit to God’s teaching and practice for the Church.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” - Eph. 3:20-21
Bruce
Friends of the Cross
presented by
Bruce Daugherty
What you can expect when you visit.
Bruce was born in Warren, Ohio in 1959. His father, Emanuel Daugherty, is a gospel preacher. He married the former Gayle Gleaton of Fairview, Georgia in 1981. He and his wife have two sons: Mike age 28, lives in Chicago, working in the advertising community and Vince, age 25 who is married to Tiffany and teaches high school in Daytona Beach.
Bruce received his B. A. in Bible from Freed-Hardeman College in 1981. He received his M. A. in Church History from Harding Graduate School of Religion in 2006.
Bruce served as an associate minister for the Reynoldsburg (Ohio) Church of Christ from 1981-1983. He was a missionary in Cervignano, Italy from 1983-1990. He preached for the Beville Road congregation in Daytona Beach, FL from 1990-2000. He preached for the 10th & Clairmont Church of Christ in Cambridge, Ohio from 2000-2011. In November 2011 he returned to Beville Road to serve as their preacher. He has held gospel meetings in Florida, Ohio, West Virginia, and Tennessee. ,.......more
• Wednesday Night Topic – New Heavens – New Earth
• Guest Speaker – Sunday 03/24/2019 Vince Daugherty will present the sermon. Vince is in his final semester at the Florida School of Preaching
• Chicken Supper - Friday, March 29, at Mt. Dora Christian Academy from 4-7 PM
• Church Picnic - Saturday, March 30 at Riverfront Memorial Park, 1933 S. Palmetto Ave., South Daytona (on the river) Hot dogs and buns will be provided. Please bring condiments, side dishes, desserts, and drinks, and extra chairs if you have them. Invite your friends!!
• Check the bulletin boards for activities at Area Congregations