1. International Church I = International C = Christian C = Church G = Groningen ICCG = CCG: Dutch + Internationals

2. How it began….. God created: The universe Heaven and earth Everything on it A people (Adam and Eve)

3. The dwelling place of God’s people Originally on the earth The earth was cursed since the fall At a point in time God made a covenant with Abraham: He promised to him the land of Israel But God wanted more: Through Christ God reconciled all of His people: the people of God

4. The People of God Redeemed by Christ Receive the name of Christ (Rev. 3:3) New nation: the Kingdom of God, represented by the Church Will live forever with God on the new earth and under the new heavens

5. The City of God Abraham was looking forward to the ‘city of God’ (Hebr. 11:10). the City of God = the Church = the dwelling place of the people of God - The New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2) - An everlasting city (Rev. 21:4) - Revelation: the beauty of the city

6. The Bride of Christ The church is also called: The bride of Christ (Rev. 21:9, Eph. 5:26) Spotless, without wrinkle Holy, without blemish Loved and nourished Beauty and radiance

7. The body of Christ And the body of Christ: Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it (1 Cor. 12:27) One in Christ (Rom. 12:5) We belong to one another (1 Cor. 12) Christ is the head (Eph. 5:23, Col. 1:18) We all play our own ‘part’ in the body (1 Cor. 12)

8. Naming God’s people Bible: Saints Children of God God’s chosen, God’s called (Rev.17,14) ……… In daily life: Christians Believers Disciples

9. Christians And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:26). named after Christ (= anointed) They were recognised being with Christ A cultural/denominational name

10. Believers And these signs will accompany those who believe…. Mark 16:17 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned Mark 16:16 The only way to become a Christian is by believing in Jesus’ death and Resurrection

11. Disciples Jesus: go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19) Jesus didn’t told us to ‘make’ Christians or believers, but to make disciples….. The body of Christ (the Church) is made of disciples

12. Disciples A disciple is someone who: Is a Christian Believes that he is saved by Jesus’ sacrificial death Is determined to lay down his life for Jesus and to follow Him wherever He goes. Trains himself in daily life to surrender to Jesus

13. What are you? Are you….. A Christian A believer A disciple How do you know…..?

14. What is our destiny? Proclaiming God’s excellence (1 Pet. 2:9) Showing God’s original purpose with mankind (Matth. 5:14: light to the world) Making disciples from all nations (Matt. 28:19) Living with God forever and enjoying His presence forever (Rev. 21:3, 1 Thess. 4:17)