A Sermon About the Church
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III spoke about the concept of the Church in Orthodox Christian thought, explaining that the Church is not merely a building, but rather the community of believers who gather with God and in His presence. The Church was in the mind of God from the beginning, because He wanted humanity to live in fellowship and love, not in individuality or isolation.
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explained that the Church is the light of God on earth, and therefore it was symbolized by the lampstands in the Book of Revelation. Also, the beginning of creation with light symbolizes the appearance of the Church as a declaration of God’s presence in the world.
He also explained that the Church is heaven on earth, and it is the dwelling place of God with people, where the Lord dwells among His people and leads them to eternal life. The Church is not merely a human gathering, but a holy life and spiritual fellowship between God and believers.
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III affirmed that God wanted the Church to be one body with one head, who is Christ, and that the believers are members of this living body built upon the foundation of the apostles and Christ the cornerstone.
Then he presented the different symbols of the Church throughout the Holy Bible, such as Paradise, the Ark, the altar, the ladder connecting heaven and earth, the Tent of Meeting, and the Temple, explaining that all these symbols point to the Church as the path of salvation and fellowship with God.
He also emphasized that the Church is founded upon unity, love, and holy fellowship, where believers live with one heart and one mind, gathering around the altar and the mystery of the Eucharist under the leadership of the lawful shepherds.
He explained that separation from the Church means separation from the fellowship of believers, from the holy sacraments, and from the very presence of God Himself, because the Church is the dwelling place of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and communion with angels and saints.
At the end of the sermon, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III confirmed that the Church is the Bride of Christ, and that it is a holy community in which God dwells, and that the salvation of man is connected to his life within the Church and his steadfastness in the fellowship of faith and love.
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