How does Holy Scripture teach you to view the Church?

A Daily Podcast brought to you by Anglican Futures designed to help you pray. Just confession, catechism, creed and collects. Short and simple. Today we consider the wonder of the Church. If you want to discover what else Anglican Futures offers – blogs, events and practical support - please visit our website www.anglicanfutures.org   TRANSCRIPT Hello and welcome to “In All Our Doings” – brought to you daily by Anglican Futures For those who are unfamiliar with our podcast, it is simply confession, catechism, creed and collects, and we pray you will be encouraged by all you hear.   We begin with Confession Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Hear the Word of God to all who truly turn to him. If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Today’s question from the Anglican Catechism, To Be a Christian is How does Holy Scripture teach you to view the Church? To which the answer is given Holy Scripture teaches me to view the Church as God’s family, as the Body and bride of Christ, and as the temple where God in Christ dwells by his Spirit. (Isaiah 54:5–8; Hosea 2:16–20; Matthew 12:46–50; 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; Revelation 5:9–10; 19:6–10) Accordingly, our bible reading is from Revelation chapter 5 beginning at verse 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll     and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God     from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,     and they shall reign on the earth.” This is the word of the Lord The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen Let us pray Our Father in Heaven Hallowed be your name Your kingdom come Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven Give us today our daily bread And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from the evil one For the kingdom the power and the glory are yours now and forever Amen   Today’s Collects Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Go before us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favour, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, through your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Final Words Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen   If you have found this episode of “In All Our Doings helpful – why not like it, share it with friends and family or subscribe to the podcast?  If you have any thoughts or questions about today’s episode, please leave a comment or contact us through our website www.anglicanfutures.org .  Bible readings are taken from the English Standard Version with permission from Crossway.  The liturgy comes from the ACNA Book of Common Prayer 2019. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language   .