WHAT’S UP WITH THE CHURCH
INTRO: WHY IS BEING PART OF A CHURCH SO IMPORTANT?
1: MEMBERSHIP
A) TO BELONG
B) TO BE PART OF SOMETHING
C) THIS IS A CHRISTIAN CONCEPT IN IT’S ROOTS
POINT: TODAY MEMBERSHIP IS USED MUCH DIFFERENTLY, MEMBERS GET HALF OFF OR GET THE BEST SEATS THEY HAVE AN ADVANTAGE OVER NON MEMBERS DON’T HAVE TO WORK AS HARD. THE CHURCH TODAY MEMEBERSHIP IS JUST ADDING YOUR NAME TO A ROLL.
2: FELLOWSHIP
A) SHARING OF EXPERIENECES
B) COMPANIONSHIP
C) GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMON INTERESTS, GOALS, AND VIEWS
POINT: FELLOWSHIP IS VITAL FOR THE CHRISTIAN, EPH 4:16. WE NEED EACH OTHER WE SHARE OUR EXPERIENECES WITH EACH OTHER, WE DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS AND HAVE COMMON INTERESTS. WE NEED THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH TO GET ALONG IN THIS WORLD.
BODY: WHAT’S UP WITH THE CHURCH
1: IDENTIFICATION
A) JOHN13:35
B) BY THIS ALL MEN SHALL KNOW YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES
C) THE LOVE AND CONCERN WE HAVE WILL IDENTIFY US A GENUINE
POINT: BEING GENUINE IS OF LITTLE VALUE TO THE WORLD WITH ALL THE KNOCK BRANDS AND VERSIONS OF THINGS, CHRISTIAN PEOPLE AND CHURCHES NEED BE CAREFUL TO NOT LET THEMSELVES BE PULLED INTO THIS KIND OF MINDSET. ONLY GENUINE LOVE AMONGST BELIEVERS WILL IDENTIFY THEM TO MEN AS TRUE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST.
2: MATURITY
A) EPH 4:16b
B) EDIFICATION
C) THE BUILDING UP OF ONE ANOTHER IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST.
POINT: GOD DID NOT INTEND FOR PEOPLE TO BE ALONE OR ISOLATED. WE LEARN AND GROW FROM INTERACTION WITH ONE ANOTHER. WE ALL HAVE THINGS WE CAN OFFER TO OTHERS AND THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM OTHERS.
3: THE MISSION IS YOURS
A) JAMES 5:20
B) GOING OUT AND COMMUNICATING REPENTANCE
C) WINNING SOULS FOR CHRIST
POINT: JESUS WISHES TO SHARE HIS MISSION WITH US, THE ONLY WAY TO BE A PART OF THAT MISSION IS TO BE PART OF HIS BODY. AND BE ACTIVE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST.
CLOSING: WHAT THE CHURCH OFFERS.
( RICK WARREN PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE CH 17 )
A PURPOSE TO LIVE FOR
PEOPLE TO LIVE WITH
PRINCIPLES TO LIVE BY
A PROFESSION TO LIVE OUT
POWER TO LIVE ON
NOWHERE ELSE ON EARTH CAN OFFER YOU ALL THESE THINGS
THAT’S WHAT’S UP WITH THE CHURCH!!!!
