What does it mean to congregate as believers? Jesus says, “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
We as believers are part of God’s Heavenly Kingdom spread out across the earth. Where we gather, there is the Holy Spirit. Where the Holy Spirit is, there is the gospel.
Congregating as believers to listen to God’s word is how we rejuvenate our faith. As the apostle Paul says, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Jesus often refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd. He tells us that “my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27). It is good for God’s sheep to come together so that we can listen to what He has to say. When we hear a sermon, we are listening to the Good Shepherd’s voice. He sends Heavenly greetings to His flock. His Word convicts us of sin and reminds us of Christ, in whom there is no sin. He helps us direct our gaze to the cross and to trust in His forgiveness.
How precious the Heavenly Father’s words are to our ears – “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50).
Apostle Paul preached on the Areopagus in Athens:” The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30, ESV).
So, God also requires you to repent.
Repentance is not just about making life better. In repentance, a person receives forgiveness for all their sins; not directly from God, but through a believer and with the authority given by Jesus (John 20:23).
A person who repents does not become sinless, but the Holy Spirit begins to guide their life.
According to Christ’s command (e.g. Luke 24:47), repentance and forgiveness of sins are preached by those who have living faith, in the Kingdom of God. According to the Bible, there is only one such kingdom on earth, where the Holy Spirit works and mutual love prevails.
Every person who feels that he or she is a sinner can receive the forgiveness of their sins. A person obtains the forgiveness of their sins by believing in the gospel of the forgiveness of sins. The person who knows his sin must find a person who has themselves received the forgiveness of his sins in God’s congregation and has received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). Jesus urged people to first seek the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33), so that they could hear firsthand the gospel of the forgiveness of sins. This is the core message in the preaching of the kingdom of God.
how I found god’s kingdom