Church Organization Charge

Friendship Baptist Church

Organization Charge

The Purpose of the Church

Acts 16:6-10

6 Now when they [Paul, Silas, and Timothy] had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we [Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke] sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. [NKJV]

INTRODUCTION

.. Several months ago –

. A few of you began to meet with Brother John | Sandy at their home for Bible study.

. Expanding - need of a more accessible location was found in the New Albany - Main Street area.

. Today – God has brought you here = to the corner of Thomas and Shelby.

.. Friendship BC is now at a juncture as a “pastor and a church” – today you are facing a new beginning.

. Consequently – this now raises two questions:

1. What is God’s Purpose for Friendship BC?

2. Where does Friendship BC go from here?

I. What is God’s Purpose for Friendship BC?

.. It is a Threefold Aspect:

. Worship

. Fellowship

. Discipleship

A. First Aspect:

It is to “Worship God” – John 4:23 – worship Him in Spirit & Truth.

1. Realize that you are a church (ekklesia) of Jesus Christ – Matthew 16:18.

. Not a political club

. Not a social club

. Are a local assembly brought together to bring glory to God

. Where – here at Thomas | Shelby – the Lord has called you here (cf. text-v. 10).

2. As a church (house of God) you are the pillar and the ground of the truth – 1 Timothy 3:15.

. Study to know the truth – Church at Berea searched the Scriptures daily – Acts 17:11.

. Stand firm for the truth – Church at Philadelphia was found to be strong in their service, diligent in upholding the word, and faithful to their Savior – Revelation 3:8.

CHARGE:

Friendship BC – “Glorify God” whenever you gather together to Pray, to Preach, & to Praise His Son – The Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior!

B. Second Aspect:

It is to “Love One Another” – John 13:34-35 – by this all men will know you are my disciples.

.. Realize what it means to love – Gk. Agape = Unconditional – w/o a need to act.

. Members: Friendship BC

. Pray for one another – but especially for your pastor – Philippians 4:6 – be anxious for nothing but make all your prayer/supplications known to God.

. Listen to one another – no high/low status | no special standing – just “Bear one another’s burdens and … fulfill the law of Christ – Galatians 6:2.

. Forgive one another – Love covers a multitude of sins – James 5:19-20 | 1 Peter 4:8.

. Help one another – become a Barnabas – “Barnabas departed to Tarsus to seek Saul” – Acts 11:25.

. Pastor: John Knuckles

. Study – rightly dividing the word of truth – 2 Timothy 2:15.

. Stand – Preach the word in season | out of season – 2 Timothy 4:2.

. Share – “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” – 1 Corinthians 9:16.

. Supplicate – Pray, Pray, Pray and then Pray some more for your members – 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

CHARGE:

Friendship BC & Pastor Knuckles – Unconditionally love each other – because Christ first loved you – 1 John 4:19.

C. Third Aspect:

It is to Make Disciples - Go, reach out to others – Acts 1:8.

.. Remember the old AT&T commercial – “Reach out and touch someone!”

Matthew 28:18-20

18 … Jesus … spoke … saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always , even to the end of the age." [NASB]

. Jesus was about to leave and return to His Father in heaven. Just before His ascension He gathered His disciples together and issues to them their marching orders during this age until He returns for them.

.. Examining the commission verses - we can observe that we are to: