THE BIRTHMARKS OF THE CHURCH

Hebrews 12:23 KJV 1900

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Introduction:

Birthmark - an unusual and typically permanent brown or red mark on someone's body from birth.

At a crime scene detectives may ask for a description of a individual whether there we any unusual marks on the face, arms etc., that would easy set them apart to be identified.

1 Peter 2:9 KJV 1900

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

a. The church/body of Christ has many birthmarks the we can easily be identified by the world.

THE BIRTHMARK OF SUFFERING

a. We as a church/his body will bare the birthmark of suffering because He suffered. Its who we are.

b. experience or be subjected to (something bad or unpleasant).

c. Temptation/battles/sickness/disease/hardship etc.

Romans 8:17 KJV 1900

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:37 KJV 1900

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

2 Timothy 2:12 KJV 1900

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

romans 8:

2 Timothy 3:12 KJV 1900

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

THE BIRTHMARK OF REDEMPTION

a. We as a church/His body will bare the birthmark of redemption. Its who we are.

b. Redemption - the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.

Colossians 1:14 KJV 1900

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Hebrews 9:12 KJV 1900

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

THE BIRTHMARK OF WITNESSING

a. We as a church/His body will bare the birthmark of witnessing. Its who we are.

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:18 KJV 1900

Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Acts 5:32 KJV 1900

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.