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Discovering Our Church's Purpose
Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Feb 27, 2014 (message contributor)
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1. Regaining Our Purpose
Contributed on May 5, 2021
If a church has lost its purpose, then that congregation will be deprived of direction and momentum. Understanding our purpose will enable us to stay on the right path, in order to remain faithful and fruitful in our kingdom efforts.
I wish to begin by sharing a verse from the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 29:18 wisely cautions, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (KJV). The American Standard Version says it like this: “Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint.” Vision, or rather purpose, establishes ...read more
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2. What Is Our Purpose?
Contributed on May 5, 2021
If we do not know the Lord’s purpose as a church, then we can’t plan for success; and thus, we will see no results in reaching the world for Jesus Christ. This passage shows the five purposes (five E-words) designed for every church.
This morning, I want us to think about our purpose. The word “purpose” is defined as, “the reason for which something exists or is done,” and “an intended or desired result.”(1) Based on the definition of the word “purpose,” we can see how we need to consider the reason why we do certain things, ...read more
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3. Fellowship On Purpose
Contributed on May 5, 2021
Can we effectively worship the Lord by ourselves at home, on the golf course, or on a hiking trail in the forest? Why do we need to go to church? Is there something in it for us? Yes, there is something in it for each of us!
We’re going to begin discussing the five purposes of the church by first looking at what the Bible says about fellowship. Dictionary.com defines fellowship as, “friendly relationship,” “companionship,” and “communion, as between members of the same church.”(1) The Lord wants us all to have close ...read more
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4. Disciple On Purpose
Contributed on May 5, 2021
A huge part of the Great Commission is to make disciples, which is known as “discipleship.” This message answers the questions: “Where are we supposed to be doing this?” and “How are we supposed to be discipling others?”
In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). I read a Southern Baptist book entitled ...read more
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5. Worship On Purpose
Contributed on May 5, 2021
Worship is so much more than singing a song, the style of music, or our even own preferences; it’s about our heart-attitude before God. There are many elements to worship; but they all serve to honor and glorify God and edify others.
This morning, we’re going to continue our series on the five purposes of the church by looking at worship. In the song “The Heart of Worship,” Matt Redman sings, “I’ll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself is not what You have required. You search much deeper within, through the way ...read more
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6. Minister On Purpose
Contributed on May 5, 2021
This message looks at ministry or service. “Every believer isn’t a pastor, but every believer is called into ministry. God calls all believers to minister to the world and the church. Service in the body isn’t optional for Christians” - Rick Warren
This morning we’ll be viewing the purpose of “ministry” or “service.” In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says, “Growing up, you may have thought that being ‘called’ by God was something only missionaries, pastors, nuns, and other ‘full-time’ church workers experienced, but the Bible says ...read more
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7. Evangelize On Purpose
Contributed on May 5, 2021
"Evangelism is the ultimate goal of the kingdom focused church, and everything the church does has to contribute one way or another to reaching that goal. It’s also true that church growth without evangelism is impossible" - Gene Mims
This morning we’ll be viewing the purpose of “evangelism.” So, what is evangelism? In his book, The Kingdom Focused Church, Gene Mims (a former President of LifeWay Christian Resources) defines evangelism as “the process of sharing the gospel with the lost and winning them to Christ, thereby ...read more
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8. The Power Of Purpose
Contributed on May 5, 2021
Attaining the church's purpose is about "keeping the main thing the main thing." People must not only "know" the core values, but they must also "hear" them continually restated so they can envision what they're working towards.
Proverbs states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Bill Hybels, in his book Courageous Leadership, tells us, “When a leader is casting a vision publicly the goal is to help people know, understand, and remember the ‘main thing’.”(1) Purpose is all about keeping ...read more