By Al Felder One of the clearest pictures the Bible gives of the church is a body. And bodies are meant to grow. Paul says the church is to “grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ,” and that the whole body makes “increase… unto the edifying of itself in love” when every part supplies what it should (Ephesians 4:14–16). So when a congregation becomes stagnant—no spiritual maturing, no new disciples, no steady strengthening—something is out of order. The

“But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity... in them shall he die.” — Ezekiel 18:24, 26 The Tragedy of Spiritual Decline Few things grieve the heart more than watching a faithful Christian lose their way. We read about such falls in Scripture, but the reality strikes hardest when it happens to someone close—a parent, sibling, friend, or fellow believer. Like the prophets who wept over Israel’s rebellion, we mourn when a once-devoted

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” — 1 Corinthians 10:11 Egypt, Pharaoh, and the Church Today The story of Moses leading Israel out of Egypt is more than a historical event. It is also a spiritual picture of the Christian life. Egypt represents the world, Pharaoh represents Satan, and Israel represents the Church. Just as Pharaoh offered compromise after compromise to kee