A Great Church
Story:
There was a college professor who challenged his class with this question.
"Did God make everything there is?"
One student bravely answered, "Yes!"
"Everything, young man?"
"Yes, he did, sir," the young man replied.
The professor responded, "If God made everything, then God made evil, and if we can only create from within ourselves, then God is evil."
The student didn’t have a response, and the professor was happy to have once again proved the Christian faith to be a myth.
Then another man raised his hand and asked, "May I ask you something, sir?"
"Yes, you may," responded the professor. The young man stood up and said "Sir, is there such thing as cold?"
"Of course there is, what kind of a question is that? Haven’t you ever been cold?"
The young man replied, "Actually, sir, cold does not exist. What we consider to be cold, is really only the absence of heat. Absolute zero is when there is absolutely no heat, but cold does not really exist.
We have only created that term to describe how we feel when heat is not there."
The young man continued, "Sir, is there such thing as dark?"
Once again, the professor responded "Of course there is."
And once again, the student replied. "Actually, sir, darkness does not exist.
Darkness is really only the absence of light.
Darkness is only a term man developed to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally, the young man asked, "Sir, is there such thing as evil?"
The professor responded, "Of course. We have rapes, and murders and violence everywhere in the world, those things are evil."
The student replied, "Actually, sir, evil does not exist.
Evil is simply the absence of God.
Evil is a term man developed to describe the absence of God.
God did not create evil.
It isn’t like truth, or love, which exist as virtues like heat and light.
Evil is simply the state where God is not present, like cold without heat or darkness without light."
How many of you believe that this young man was correct?
How many of you believe that the Word of God is true?
How many of you believe that the doctrines and principles taught in the Bible, by the apostles, should be our guide both in the Church and in our everyday lives?
Then listen very carefully and pay close attention today as I attempt to expound on some very important passages of God’s Word and show you how we should apply them to ourselves and our Church…
Acts 2:42-46 v (KJV)
And they continued steadfastly (Dedicated themselves) NIV in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
We need to have a great church.
I don’t want an average church, I want a great church and it should be all of our desire to have a great church.
A great Church doesn’t mean a Big church it means a group of people dedicated to God and one another united in truth and purpose.
A great church just does not happen but a great church is made.
Let us look at the first church in Jerusalem to see what made a great church.
1. They continued in the doctrine.
They stayed in the word and did not deviate from the word.
We don’t need to tire of the doctrine (instruction of the word). The doctrine refreshes
Deuteronomy 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
The doctrine sets free.
Romans 6:17-18 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
We are saved by doctrine.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
The doctrine gives us relationship.
2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2. The ministry continues to teach.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
At who’s will?
The Devil’s!!!
Ephesians 4:11-14 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
3.A great church is one that has fellowship.
Get involved don’t sit on the sidelines
2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty(paraklçsis) 1) a calling near, summons, (esp. for help)
2) importation, supplication, entreaty
3) exhortation, admonition, encouragement
4) consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment
a) thus of the Messianic salvation (so the Rabbis call the Messiah the consoler, the comforter)
5) persuasive discourse, stirring address
a) instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse
that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
We all have a responsibility to minister to one another.
Have fellowship with the saints not with the world.
Acts 2:46 and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
We have fellowship with Jesus.
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
1 John 1:2-3 (For the life was manifested, 1) to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way
a) make actual and visible, realised
b) to make known by teaching
c) to become manifest, be made known
d) of a person
1) expose to view, make manifest, to show one’s self, appear
e) to become known, to be plainly recognised, thoroughly understood
1) who and what one is
and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) (3) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4. A great Church is one that will continue in prayer and worship.
It was an ongoing activity.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:46-47 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Luke 24:53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
5.People of the early Church were unified in purpose and plan and put their own ideas aside.
There is always great danger when you have different people of diverse backgrounds to have division but we need to put self aside for the good of the kingdom of God.
And we should remember it’s all about the kingdom of God and not ourselves.
Acts 2:44-45 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:3 (ASV) giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:3 (BBE) Taking care to keep the harmony of the Spirit in the yoke of peace.
Eph 4:3 (DBY) using diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace.
Eph 4:3 (RSV) eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:3 (TCNT) And striving to maintain in the bond of peace the unity given by the Spirit.
Eph 4:3 (WEB) being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:3 (YLT) being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of the peace;
If we are going to have a great church we must not just need to we must endeavor to keep unity of the spirit and the bond of peace
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
We are instructed to
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech(to beg, entreat, beseech ) you, brethren, mark(3) to fix one’s eyes upon, direct one’s attention to, any one
) them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Friends the Pastor don’t make a great church the teachers don’t make a great church.
The music doesn’t do it.
You know what does it?
YOU!!!
You devoting yourself,
Dedicating yourself,
Addicting yourself, to follow the doctrines and principles outlined in the Word of God.
• Being different,
• Lifting Holy hands in worship and praise,
• Praying continually,
• Esteeming others higher than yourself,
• Inviting friends and loved ones to Church,
• Lifting one another up,
• Showing others that you Love God and your Church more than anything else in this world.
• Letting others know that this is not your home you are a pilgrim in this land and you are on your way to a far better place.
• Letting god use you as He wants to use you,
• Seeking God,
• Seeking his spirit.
• Denying your self and seeking the things of God more than anything else.
Always thinking of the Dot and the line
• The dot represents our life on this earth (Limited)
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The line represents our life in eternity (Timeless Eternity)
