Being the Church
Phi 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Phi 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Phi 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning,
Phi 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Phi 2:16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
I. We are the Church
a. There is a way that the church should look to the world. It should be a light that shines love through the darkness of seperation from God. It’s a light that does not judge, but brings conviction by itself.
b. The Church is not here to condemn people, but to show the “most excellent” way - Phi 1:10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, Phi 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
c. We can only show the way if we are living the way - Mat 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. Mat 7:2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Mat 7:3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Mat 7:4 Or how can you say to your brother, ’Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? Mat 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
d. We are here to tell the story - 1Pe 1:20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake, 1Pe 1:21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 1Pe 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 1Pe 1:23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 1Pe 1:24 for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 1Pe 1:25 but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
II. Are You Telling the Story?
a. Old Testament Background
b. The birth of a savior
c. The life of miracles, signs, and wonders
d. The dealth and resurrection
e. The promise of a return and resurrection
f. An eternal reign on earth
g. The conditions for inheritance
III. Are You Living the Story?
a. Your Testimony
i. What’s your story?
ii. What did God pull you out of?
iii. What is God doing with you now?
b. Faith: the Ultimate Adventure
i. Faith empowers us to break things that God promises to restore
ii. Faith empowers us to live a life of purpose and adventure
iii. Faith frees us from having to rely on the system of the world in order to succeed at His calling.
c. Hope: the Ultimate Joy and Peace
i. Hope is assurance that God will do what He has promised
ii. Hope is knowing that there is always something good just around the corner
iii. Hope creates an expectation that God can respond to.
iv. Our faith (trust) in God gives us hope (assurance/expectation) of what God is going to do with us.
d. Love: the Ultimate Measurement
i. Love is…I Cor 13
ii. Love never fails
iii. Love fights through a matter
iv. Love is selfless
v. Love dies for a friend
e. Is Your Life Compatible?
i. A word about “judging” - Mat 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. Mat 7:2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
ii. Is your attitude compatible?
iii. Is your language compatible?
iv. Is your mind compatible?
v. Are your relationships compatible?
vi. Are your tastes and habits compatible?
vii. Is the environment you create compatible?
viii. Are your goals compatible?
ix. What do you live for? What do you fight for?
IV. Are You Commissioned?
a. The purpose of living the life is to be a light
b. Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. This is where you put your life and words on the line – when you pass it on to others.
c. Being the light means to:
i. Show the reality of the Gospel
ii. Tell others the story to give them real faith, hope, and love
d. Living the life makes the Gospel real enough to share
e. Let’s take on the Great Commission with our lives.
