We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God.
John StottRead
An unchurched christian is a grotesque anomaly. The New Testament knows nothing of such a person. For the church lies at the very center of the eternal purpose of God. It is not a divine afterthought. It is not an accident of history. On the contrary, the church is God's new community.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of the church in the Christian faith as a central aspect of God's plan.
John Stott highlights that being a Christian without being part of a church community is fundamentally flawed, as the church is an integral aspect of God's divine purpose. He argues that the church is not merely an afterthought or a historical accident; rather, it is a deliberate creation by God to establish a new community of believers who collectively fulfill God's intentions.
Themes
ChurchCommunityChristianityFaithGodPurpose
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon on the significance of church membership, this quote could emphasize the necessity of belonging to a faith community.
More from John Stott
All quotes →Mission arises from the heart of God Himself and is communicated from His heart to ours. Mission is the global outreach of the global people of a global God.
John StottRead
Saving faith is resting faith, the trust which relies entirely on the Savior.
John StottRead
It is a great comfort to know that our judge will be none other than our savior.
John StottRead
To encounter Christ is to touch reality and experience transcendence. He gives us a sense of self-worth or personal significance, because He assures us of God's love for us. He sets us free from guilt because He died for us and from paralyzing fear because He reigns. He gives meaning to marriage and home, work and leisure, personhood and citizenship.
John StottRead
Many (Christians) have zeal without knowledge, enthusiasm without enlightenment. In more modern jargon, they are keen but clueless.
John StottRead
Similar quotes
Every Mass is a memorial of that one sacrifice and that passover which restored life to the world. Every Mass puts us into intimate communion with her, the mother, whose sacrifice 'becomes present' just as the sacrifice of her Son 'becomes present' at the words of consecration..... At the root of the Eucharist is the virginal and maternal life of Mary
Pope John Paul IiRead
Worshipping the Lord means giving Him the place that he must have; worshipping the Lord means stating, believing - not only by our words - that He alone truly guides our lives; worshipping the Lord means that we are convinced before Him that He is the only God, the God of our lives, the God of our history.
Pope FrancisRead
Meditating on the nature and dignity of prayer can cause saying at least one thing to God: Lord, teach us to pray!
Karl RahnerRead
In the Church of Jesus Christ there can and should be no non-theologians.
Karl BarthRead
A prayerless church member is a hindrance. He is in the body like a rotting bone or a decayed tooth. Before long, since he does not contribute to the benefit of his brethren, he will become a danger and a sorrow to them. Neglect of private prayer is the locust which devours the strength of the church.
Charles SpurgeonRead
I always give all the glory to God, but I do not forget that He gave me the privilege of ministering from the first to a praying people. We had prayer meetings that moved our very souls, each one appeared determined to storm the Celestial City by the might of intercession.
Charles SpurgeonRead