Why Church?
Recognize new Church members: During the service!
Video Illustration: From Blue Fish TV.com
David Nasser: “How I escaped religion”
I want to be clear on this the church of the New Testament is not a religion!
Thesis: Today we must have a correct perspective of the church. God designed the church and placed Jesus as its head and they gave us a mission to fulfill.
Scripture Texts:
Matthew 16:15-19: “15“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Ephesians 5:23: “23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.”
The Perfect Church
Mavis Williams
If you should find the perfect church
Without one fault or smear,
For goodness sake!
Don’t join that church;
You’d spoil the atmosphere.
If you should find the perfect church
Where all anxieties cease
Then pass it by, lest joining it
You’d mar the masterpiece.
If you should find the perfect church
Then don’t you ever dare,
To tread upon such holy ground;
You’d be a misfit there.
But since no perfect church exists
Made of imperfect men,
Then let’s cease looking for that church
And love the church we’re in.
Of course, it’s not a perfect church,
That’s simple to discern
But you and I and all of us
Could cause the tide to turn.
What fools we are to flee our post
In that unfruitful search
To find at last where problems loom
God proudly builds His church.
So let’s keep working in our church
Until the resurrection.
And then we each will join that church
Without an imperfection.
Texts: Acts 2:38-47; Acts 4:32-37
Acts 2:38-47: “The Message”
Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”
He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, “Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!”
That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers
Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.
They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
Acts 2:38-47 “NIV”
38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 4:32-37: “The Message”
The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.
And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person’s need.
Joseph, called by the apostles “Barnabas” (which means “Son of Comfort”), a Levite born in Cyprus, sold a field that he owned, brought the money and made an offering of it to the apostles.
Acts 4:32-37 “NIV”
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Introduction:
“The church is to be and do what?” I was asked this one day by a visitor to our church. I gave a quick answer and encouraged the individual to come back to church another time for a more complete answer.
So I set off that week to answer this person’s question. I must admit that I had to sit back pray, meditate, study, and search the Bible to arrive at a complete answer. This sermon is the answer to that question.
My sermon was also sparked from an interesting visit I had with a person who walked away from church a few years back. I stopped in to visit them and encourage them to “Come Home.” This was the response I received during my visit.
“God is everywhere! I don’t need to go to church! Church is people helping others!” She blurted these thoughts out to me. “Wow” I thought very defensive. I did agree with all this person had said. But I reminded this person that Jesus established the universal church and the local church. Just go read the New Testament and you will see that God’s desire is for people to be involved in the local church because the local churches make up the universal church. Just read the book of Revelation the first few chapters stress the roles of the local churches. Churches are God’s design not mans creation.
Hebrews 10:25 tells us: “25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
This individual then replied, “I was in church last week helping my neighbor work on her bathroom!” I responded, “That’s great to help others out and it is an important part of church life but the first four commandments talk about our relationship with God.” So I asked, “How did you worship God on Sunday – just helping someone is not serving and praising God. Did you have prayer time with God? Did you worship God? Have you had communion with God lately? Yes, serving together as a family is what God wants but so is worshipping and honoring Him.
I challenged her on some of her comments and things got real quiet. Then I asked her how the kid’s where. This was her response, “They are into their drugs and party life. They have dropped out of school. But they will be fine learning things the hard way.” She then adds. “They are in trouble with the law and owe over $500 dollars in fines but so what.” She uses a few choice words to tell me how she can’t wait to get rid of both of them.
Then I asked her how she was doing. This person looks at me with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth with a tinge of anger seeping out at my questions and says, “I am right where God wants me!” I thought to myself, “I don’t think so!” Then I challenged her once again on the importance of having a relationship with God. We did a little small talk and I left shaking my head. I drove down the road and as I was driving I prayed that God would reveal to her how deceived she is in her thinking.
Then I prayed for her and her family. I talked to God in the car and thought here is a person telling everyone she is “Born Again” and “Serving God”. She is telling everyone she is where God wants her and she says she does not need the church – it’s not God’s way- it’s man’s way – it’s man’s traditions. Yet her family is in trouble she is drifting further and further from the truth and she is blind to the truth.
She is like many so-called Christians today she has a distorted view of the church a distorted view of God and His word and it is affecting her life, her kid’s lives and it’s affecting the divine mission of the Body of Christ. Because she tells everyone she is a “Born Again Christian”. But in reality her testimony-her life-her actions do not align with God’s Word.
But sadly she is making an impact everyday with her daily contacts with others. Just like you and I make a daily impact in the Kingdom of God by the way we act or don’t act. She is making a negative impact for the Kingdom.
Let’s look at two scenarios about the importance of actions, or lack of actions and how we impact a person searching for the truth.
T.S. - Let’s explore what the church should look like to people who are seeking a spiritual encounter with the Lord.
Scenario 1: “The visitor”
John and Amanda and their kids Jonah and Michele decided to go check out this church they had heard about on the corner. Amanda called the church and a pleasant person answered the phone. Amanda asked what time their services where and the nice pleasant person answered her questions and even expressed a warmness in her voice about them coming.
So the next day they were off to a new place a little bit scary Amanda recalled how nice the person was who she had talked to about the service times. They drove past the church and found a good parking spot right near the entrance to the church. They approached the front of the church and a nice distinguished man opened the door for them and welcomed them. He asked their names, where they lived and how long they had been in the community. John asked a few brief questions about the nursery, and kid’s ministry. The distinguished man gave them a tour of the building showing them where everything was. He also gave them a handbook about the church. They also received a very professional looking bulletin with lots of valuable information.
Just as the distinguished man was showing them where the sanctuary was he ran into the nursery worker for the day so the distinguished man introduced Johnny to the nursery worker and the sweet nursery worker made Johnny feel excited about the nursery. Mom and dad felt a bit easier and thought these people here do care about us.
They then proceeded to the sanctuary where they met the Children’s director a person who is bubbly and lovable. She shares her heart and vision for Kid’s church briefly and invites Michele back for Kid’s church right after praise and worship. Michele seems a little shy but tells her mom and dad how she likes Mrs. Bubbles. They proceed to find a seat. They sit in a nice padded chair and think my theses chairs are comfortable. They sit there looking through the bulletin and very impressed with the preliminary music being played in the background. The temperature of the sanctuary is just right. They noticed that building is clean and neat. The décor of the building is up to date and decorated with a warm friendly atmosphere. The stage is neat and professional looking. A couple next to them greets them and welcomes them to the church.
They notice the people talking and visiting with one another and they think it’s like one big family. But they themselves feel a warm welcome from everyone around them. The nice distinguish man comes back and gives them a visitors packet. They look through it and discover a card to fill out to receive additional information about the church. This packet once again welcomes them and asks if they have any prayer needs. They also learn about the various ministries in the church.
The preliminary music stops and a person opens up the service in prayer and greets everyone. They then greet each other and he highlights a few announcements. There amazed at some of the areas people are helping others out in the community. He then turns it over to the praise team and they are marvelous. They play with excellence. Not only are they doing great musically but they feel that they are drawn closer to God through the time of praise and worship. They also like that they are not required to stand through the whole service. They noticed that this was one of a few services they been too where the pastor encourages the church to take a few moments to pray. Some people even go forward to be prayed for by the pray teams. It’s very meditative and reflective time for both of them and they feel the Lord tugging at their hearts.
They sing a few more songs and notice that the sound system is great. The pastor gets up to speak. They can hear every word he speaks clearly. The kids go out to the nursery and to kid’s church. The two settle back excited that they can focus on the message while their kids receive messages at their level.
The pastor is dressed nice but not over dressed. He is energetic welcoming and he makes them feel relaxed. They are surprised at how multi-media is used with his sermon. He draws them into the message and once again they feel God tugging at their hearts. He challenges them from the Bible. He makes the Bible relevant to them. They enjoy how he helps make the Bibles message personal to them. He gives them insight into how to apply what they learned today to their life. He is not long winded but finishes with their full attention. He closes with a challenge and a prayer for those touched by the message. He then dismisses them leaving them wanting more.
They go to get their kids and others greet them and welcome them. They met one of the leaders who then invites them out for coffee that week.
The leader then takes them to the pastor and introduces them. The pastor inquires about them personally and they talk for a little bit. The pastor encourages them to read through the hand-book which he instructs the leader to give them. He smiles lets them know that if they have any questions to give him a call. He also invites them to have dinner with them when it is conveint. They are also invited to another room where they can have coffee and a donut with some of the other leadership if they would like.
The kids are brought to mom and dad bragging about how they had fun. The kid’s are beaming and mom and dad are thinking while these people seem to care about us.
They leave the church with a smile and feel they have been touched by the love of Christ through this group of people. They are impressed with the servant attitude and helpful spirit of the church.
The few days later they receive a letter thanking them for visiting and a little survey asking what they thought. They talk to each other and say “Wow!” this church cares what we think. They value our perspective. They appreciate our input!” They fill out the card and mail it back with the self-addressed envelope. They think this church wants us to be a part of their family. They agree to go back the next week to learn more and see if this is where they want to be apart.
T.S. - Let’s explore another scenario of what the church should not look like!
Scenario 2: “The Visitor”
John and Amanda are looking for a church because they feel the need to plug their kids into a church. They find one in the paper and they call for some information. A gruff voice answers the phone and says, “What do you want?” Amanda asks about their service times. The gruff voice tells them the times and mumbles something about their church being the only true church in town. Amanda a little bewildered thinks the man must be having a bad day. Thanks him and hangs up.
The next morning off to church they go. They find the church but they have to walk a little ways because there are no easy parking places. They come to the door walk in and there are people talking but no on acknowledges them. They wander around the church looking for the kid’s church area and they find none. They look for a nursery and it’s empty with one old crib in it and they notice the nursery is filthy with food all over the floor and dirty. They look at each other and think there is no way they will leave their precious Johnny in this mess. They wander around bumping into people with no one acknowledging them or even smiling at them.
They eventually find the sanctuary and have a seat. They discover on the floor a bulletin and pick it up to read it. Right then a bunch of screaming kids come running through the sanctuary yelling. They run out another door after knocking over some chairs and bumping into others.
The people in the sanctuary are talking and everyone ignores the kids. They also feel that they are being ignored as well. Finally one man approaches them and says, “HI” - “Who are you!” and before they can answer he says, “Do you know Jesus sinner?” They are taken back but answer that they think so. Then the man points his finger at them and says, “Turn or Burn!” and he walks away muttering, “We have sinners in the church. Satan be gone!” They think he is very strange and weird. They hold their kids closely by their sides and start looking for an exit. Just then a man in a suit comes to the platform and the microphone squeaks like an injured cat. He hits microphone and says, “Welcome everyone! “We are here to serve God right” no one responds then he yells it this time and everyone say’s “That’s Right”. A few people come forward and start playing music. They are off key and out of sync as the man from the pulpit leads them in singing. Everyone sings along and this noise goes on for a half and hour. They sit when the man says, “sit” and kneel when he says, “kneel” and stand when he says, “stand”. Amanda thinks are these people puppets.
They eventually sit down and a young girl gets up to do a special. The music starts in the wrong place. They start it over again. She sings the best she could and turns red and finally labors through the song. She concludes everyone claps and she walks by the couple saying, “I will never do that again!”
Then another man in a suit to small for him stands up in front and says it’s time to give all our money to God. John thinks maybe they will buy him a suit that fits. The man shares some Scripture about giving. He then points his finger right at John and yells’ “Don’t rob God of his money you vile sinner!” John is taken back but thinks maybe he is pointing at someone else. They pass the offering plate around and the usher stares at everyone to see if they put in any money. If they do they get a nod of the head if they don’t they get the “Evil eye!”
After the offering the Pastor goes to the pulpit and starts to yell and scream at everyone. John and Amanda are covering their children’s ears because they are looking scared. Michele leans over to her mom and says, “Why is he mad at us?” The man rants and reads and repeats himself numerous times. He continues to go off on other subjects. John and Amanda have no idea what he is trying to say. They start looking at their watches thinking when can we make a run for it. The sermon goes on for 45 minutes and he finally ends. He once again points his finger in their direction and says, “Repent sinners or you will burn in Hell!” He pauses and everyone turns and looks at them, “Come now and get washed in the blood sinners and be delivered he screams!”
John thinks to himself “This place is sick this must be a cult of some kind!”” I don’t want to be washed in the blood of anything.” They grab each other’s hands and run for the door, dodging people pointing their fingers at them. They run to the car and the kids are screaming. They speed away to safety! In the car they look at each other and say, “Praise the Lord we have been delivered!”
Do you see the difference in the two scenarios? Do you see why the church gets a bad rap? Do you understand that what we do in church matters? Do you care about visitors? Do you want to make a difference in people’s live? Then we must do church “God’s Way!”
T.S. - Lets explore from Acts what the church should look like and act like! Here are some of the character traits of a Biblical NT church we are striving for here at Christian Hills.
I. The church is to be a place that gives out the good news of Jesus – not bad news! (Acts 2:1-37)
a. Acts shares with us how the first church received a message that was full of Good News, a message of hope and help. A message about Jesus and deliverance from sin!
i. It says in verse Acts 2: 36, 37 36“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
ii. The church of Jesus Christ needs to be challenging people with the Word of God (His Message) and delivering it with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. When it is done this way people will say, “What shall we do?”
1. “What do I need to do?”
b. The message must be delivered with the anointing of the Holy Spirit because this is what releases the power which sets people free from the bondages of sin and hopelessness.
i. It can happen just like in Acts. Yes, God’s word has that much power to penetrate into people’s hearts.
ii. Highlight last night’s service, “Get Energized!”
II. The church is to be a place where people believe, repent and respond to the touch of God’s grace (Acts 2:38-41).
a. The church is a place where people feel the freedom to respond to the message of Jesus.
i. Acts 2:38-41 38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
ii. Yes people are to experience the Lord at church and feel his mercy and grace – not condemnation.
iii. They need to come to a place and feel His loving hugs and embrace.
1. For this to happen the truth must be proclaimed and people must then choose to believe.
2. There must be repentance for sin and people willing to ask for forgiveness from the Savior.
3. But this only happens in an atmosphere of love and grace.
III. The church is to be a place where people are being baptized and testifying to what the Lord has done in their lives (Acts 2:38, 41).
a. See the sequence in the word Repent and be Baptized Acts 2:38,41
i. Repent and be Baptized!
b. This is what Baptismal service is about - This is what church is about - it’s being obedient to fulfill the Great Commission of the Lord.
i. Revelation 12:11: “They overcame him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.”
c. Baptism means – Is an outward witness of what Jesus has done in your heart and life. It is acknowledging to those observing your baptism what Jesus has done for you personally in your life.
i. Romans 6
d. Impact of Baptism – I find it amazing how many people who watch a baptismal service are impacted by what they see and hear others say.
i. It changes their lives as much as the one who is being baptized.
IV. The church is to be a place of teaching and learning (Acts 2:42)
a. Yes, church is the best place to get spiritual education about the Bible, and Christianity.
i. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
b. It’s to be a place where we all learn more about Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Father God.
i. The winter schedule-highlight the different classes being offered!
1. Pastor Frank “Foundation of Faith class”
2. Pastor Thomas “Book of Ruth.”
3. Myself - Saturday night services “Get Energized.”
c. Church is to be a place where we learn how to live life worthy of the calling and the gift of salvation from Jesus.
i. It’s where we learn information that will help us to live for eternity.
d. It’s where we learn how to renew the mind and our thinking patterns.
i. Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
e. So - Why Go To Church?
A Churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I’ve gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.
Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"
i. From sermoncentral.com by Dean Kennedy
V. The church is to be a family fellowship (Acts 2:41, 42)
a. Families are places where everyone knows your name. Do you recall the T.V. series Cheers. That was a place where everyone knew your name.
i. 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
b. Church is to be like this a place where everyone knows you name where you feel that you belong to a family.
i. Bill Hybels recalls a time when Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian was speaking for a leadership conference at Willow Creek Community Church. He writes about it like this… “Dr. Bilezikian said there’s life-changing fellowship in biblically functioning community. That was a far cry from the childhood experience of a lot of his audience! The only kind of fellowship that many of his listeners had witnessed revolved around the fifteen or twenty minutes after the service when the men would stand around the church patio and ask each other superficial questions.
‘So how’s it going at work Jake,’ one of them would ask.
‘Fine, Phil. Say, you driving a new pickup?’
‘Used,’ Phil would reply. ‘What do you have going this week?’
‘Not much.’
‘Well, great fellowshipping with you, Jake.’
‘Same here.’
That was about it. They’d (find their wives who) were having similar conversations, and go home until next week.
But the Bible says true fellowship has the power to revolutionize lives. Masks come off, conversations get deep, hearts get vulnerable, lives are shared, accountability is invited, and tenderness flows. People really do become like brothers and sisters. They shoulder each other’s burdens - and unfortunately, that’s something that few of the people in that audience had experienced while growing up in church.
In many churches it just didn’t seem legal to tell anyone you were having a problem. Families that sat in the same pew for years would suddenly disappear, because the husband and wife were in turmoil over marriage problems. Instead of coming to the church for help and prayer and support, they fled the other way, because they didn’t feel the freedom to say, ‘We love Jesus, but we’re not doing very well. Our lives feel like they’re unraveling. We need some help!’
The implicit understanding was that you shouldn’t have a problem, and if you did you’d better not talk about it around the church.
I learned that lesson well. When I got old enough to stand on the church patio after services, someone would say, ‘So, Bill, how are things in high school?’
And I’d give the response that I thought was expected. ‘Fine, Ben,’ I’d say. ‘They’re just great.’
I didn’t feel I could tell him that my heart was being ripped to shreds because my girlfriend and I had broken up. Or that I was flat-lined spiritually. Or that I had an older brother who was drinking too much and driving too fast, and I was scared about where his life was heading.
I didn’t say anything, because I felt that a good Christian just didn’t admit to having those kinds of real-life difficulties. And in many churches, that’s called fellowship. It shouldn’t be.” (Rediscovering Church, p. 159-160)
ii. Church is a place where they know you are not perfect, but they love you because you’re a blood relative (Jesus’ sacrifice makes us blood relatives if we have accepted him as our Lord and Savior!)
iii. It’s a family that loves you for who you are.
iv. It’s a family because it’s the place where we receive love, comfort and even redirection in life sometime.
v. It’s a family because family is the place where we receive love and nurture.
vi. It’s a place where we laugh and cry together and find out it’s going to be okay.
vii. It’s a safe place where we run to get away from the storms of life.
VI. The church is to break bread together and fellowship with one another it’s a daily thing not a weekly deal (Acts 2:42, 46).
a. The church is where we fellowship together and eat and talk and share about our day.
i. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
ii. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
b. It’s the place where we share our resources with one another – our food- our encouragement.
i. The church is where we find strength and support to press on in the Lord.
c. I Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
d. Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, all the more as you see the day approaching.”
e. The church is to be a place where the believers meet every day for the fellowship and the joy of being together (Acts 2: 46).
f. There is no place in the church for rugged self centered individuals and lone rangers.
g. The church is to be a large support group for the family of God where we come to be built up in him.
i. Remember it’s His plan – not man’s plan!
VII. The church is to remember the sacrifice of Christ by celebrating communion (Acts 2:42, 46).
a. Breaking of bread points in the direction of always remembering the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for you and me.
i. This points to the Passover and Communion.
b. We need to remember what He has done for us on a daily basis.
i. Share about the group of kids touched my heart one Sunday at Communion.
VIII. The church is to be a place of prayer (Acts 2:42b)
a. The church is to be called a house of prayer.
i. HE WAS HEALED
Tony Campolo tells a story about being in a church in Oregon where he was asked to pray for a man who had cancer. Campolo prayed boldly for the man’s healing.
That next week he got a telephone call from the man’s wife. She said, "You prayed for my husband. He had cancer." Campolo thought when he heard her use the past tense verb that his cancer had been eradicated! But before he could think much about it she said, "He died." Compolo felt terrible.
But she continued, "Don’t feel bad. When he came into that church that Sunday he was filled with anger. He knew he was going to be dead in a short period of time, and he hated God. He was 58 years old, and he wanted to see his children and grandchildren grow up. He was angry that this all-powerful God didn’t take away his sickness and heal him. He would lie in bed and curse God. The more his anger grew towards God, the more miserable he was to everybody around him. It was an awful thing to be in his presence.
But the lady told Compolo, "After you prayed for him, a peace had come over him and a joy had come into him. Tony, the last three days have been the best days of our lives. We’ve sung. We’ve laughed. We’ve read Scripture. We prayed. Oh, they’ve been wonderful days. And I called to thank you for laying your hands on him and praying for healing."
And then she said something incredibly profound.
She said, "He wasn’t cured, but he was healed." (
SOURCE: Tony Campolo, "Year of Jubilee," Preaching Today Tape #212.
b. We need to be praying for each other.
c. We need to be praying with each other.
d. We need to be praying to get closer to the Lord and to hear His voice more clearer.
IX. The church is to be a place where people are filled with awe at the many wonders and miraculous signs God does through his disciples (Acts 2: 43; 4:33).
a. People will be in awe at changed lives.
i. 3Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
ii. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.
1. Converted drug addicts, gang members cause an awe for God.
2. Converted people who forgive without revenge in their heart create an awe for God.
3. Converted people who serve one another in love create an atmosphere of awe of God.
4. Converted people who give everything they have to those in need create a feeling of the awe of God.
b. People will be in awe as they see these types of miracles happening in the church.
i. People who see God’s healing miracles are filled with awe.
ii. People who see God’s amazing financial provision get filled with awe.
iii. People who see God delivering people from different bondages get amazed.
iv. People who see God speak truth into a life and then see it change a life forever sense a awe for God.
v. People who see others living in agape love-perfect love getter awed.
vi. People who see unity in the body become inspired with awe.
vii. People who see a genuine love for God and others are inspired and in awe of God’s love.
X. The church is to be unified with each other by having the mind of Christ (Acts 2:44).
a. Why did the New Testament church have everything in common because they died to their own self-centered ideas and allowed their mind to renewed with the mind of Christ.
i. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common
b. They understood the eternal picture rather than the earthly picture.
c. They understood that not getting my way was biblical – It was about doing things His way!
XI. The church is to be a place that shares everything they have (Acts 2:45; 4:32-37).
a. Acts 2:45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
b. ACTS 4:32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
i. Their time was given to others.
ii. Their possessions at times where given to others.
iii. Their gifts “What’s in your hand!” was released to others.
1. Share about areas where we need people’s gifts.
a. There are sign up lists being passed to give you an opportunity to be apart and serve.
iv. Recently - I warned you that I would be asking you to pray about how you could use your gifts for the Lord.
1. So how are you doing? Are you using your gifts for the Lord?
v. I Corinthians 14:12 ‘Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.”
c. Remember Jesus showed us that we are to serve one another not just be served by others.
i. John 13:
The Holy Bible, New International Version
John 13:1 (NIV)
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
John 13:2 (NIV)
2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
John 13:3 (NIV)
3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
John 13:4 (NIV)
4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
John 13:5 (NIV)
5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
John 13:6 (NIV)
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
John 13:7 (NIV)
7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
John 13:8 (NIV)
8“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
John 13:9 (NIV)
9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
John 13:10 (NIV)
10Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”
John 13:11 (NIV)
11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
John 13:12 (NIV)
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.
John 13:13 (NIV)
13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.
John 13:14 (NIV)
14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
John 13:15 (NIV)
15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
John 13:16 (NIV)
16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
John 13:17 (NIV)
17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
XII. The church is to be a place that meets everyone’s needs in the body (Acts 2:45; 4:32-37)!
a. A place where the selfish flesh has died and the unity of the body of Christ has emerged.
i. From Sermoncentral.com – contributor Matthew Rogers
1. Randy Frazee has written a book called "The Connecting Church." He has a son who was born without a left hand. One day in Sunday School the teacher was talking with the children about the church. To illustrate her point she folded her hands together and said, “Here’s the church, here’s the steeple; open the doors and see all the people.”
She asked the class to do it along with her – obviously not thinking about his son’s inability to pull this exercise off. Then it dawned on her that the boy wouldn’t be able to join in.
Before she could do anything about it, the little boy next to his son, a friend of his from the time they were babies, reached out his left hand and said, “Let’s do it together.” The two boys proceeded to join their hands together to make the church and the steeple.
Frazee says, "This hand exercise should never be done again by an individual because the church is not a collection of individuals, but the one body of Christ."
ii. The church is to not be a selfish place, a place that hoards money and finances but one that gives it away.
iii. A place where needs are met every need!
1. The Bible said ALL! It can happen here too!
a. All things are possible with God!
b. Some are thinking what about accountability? Yes, people are held accountable for their actions in the financial realm. The church did not just give money to any one that wanted it but to those who where a part of the family of God. The church is to give and teach people how to manage money Biblically.
i. Cousins notes, “To whom are you accountable? If you think about it, you are accountable to many people. If you are a student, you are accountable to the teacher to complete your work. If you are a taxpayer, you are accountable to the government to pay your taxes. If you are driving a car, you are accountable to law enforcement agencies to obey traffic laws. If you rent an apartment, you are accountable to the landlord to pay the rent on time (And for not damaging his/her property). There are endless examples that could be produced, but they all illustrate the same point: like it or not, everyone has obligations to others that must be fulfilled. When it comes to accountability before other believers, many Christians become uncomfortable. Although they are willing to accept their fact that they must be held accountable before other people and institutions, they are reluctant to allow themselves to be responsible to and for other believers. They do not stop to think about how many struggles with sin could be overcome if they received the counsel and encouragement of other Christians” (page, 47).
ii. People need to be held accountable for their financial management if they continue to ask for financial assistance.
iii. People need to be held accountable for their actions. Why? “Because it does affect others!”
c. Yes, there is grace in this realm!
i. Grace is there because none of us deserve what we have in Jesus. It’s all about forgiveness and restoration.
1. Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
2. Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
d. To help meet others needs means we are committed to the cause of Christ and to being involved in His church at the local level which includes our finances.
i. People must come together in a local place to become the church that is what Jesus desires us to do!
XIII. The church is to be a place where we praise God daily (Acts 2:46,47)
a. It’s not a weekly event but a daily act of genuine love for Him!
b. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
c. Do you praise him daily?
XIV. The church is to be like Barnabas, “One who encourages one another!” (Acts 4:36-37)
a. 36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
b. Yes, God may challenge you to do something like this in your life and if you do you will receive an eternal reward.
c. We need to encourage others in our giving and in our priorities in life.
i. REMAINING FAITHFUL: A study once disclosed that if both Mom and Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful. If only Dad, 55% remain faithful. If only Mom, 15%. If neither attended regularly, only 6% remain faithful. The statistics speak for themselves--the example of parents and adults is more important than all the efforts of the church and Sunday School.
SOURCE: Warren Mueller in Homemade, May, 1990.
Conclusion:
This Is My Church
It is composed of people just like me.
It will be friendly if I am.
It will do a great work if I work.
It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am generous.
It will bring others into its fellowship if I bring them.
Its seats will be filled if I fill them.
It will be a church of loyalty and love, of faith and service.
If I who make it what it is, am filled with these,
Therefore, with God’s help, I dedicate myself to the task of being
All these things I want my Church to be.
Anonymous
SPIRITUAL ANARCHY is a result of the absence of the NT Church.
In his [Barna’s] new volume he flatly states that moral anarchy has arrived and rules our culture today. The argument hinges on a substantial amount of attitudinal and behavioral evidence: record bankruptcy levels, frivolous lawsuits, the rapid growth of the pornography industry, highway speeding as the norm, income tax cheating, computer hacking and viruses, rising levels of white collar crime, rampant copyright violations (movies, books, recordings), terrorism and intimidation tactics, Net-based plagiarism, emotional comfort with lying and cheating, increasing rates of co-habitation and adultery, and so forth.
Moreover, Barna takes the argument farther and suggests that the United States is now in a state of spiritual anarchy as well. He mentioned that millions of people’s faith activity is no longer affected by parameters such as church loyalty, respect for clergy, acceptance of absolutes, tolerance of Christianity, reverence for God, a desire to strive for personal holiness, sensitivity to theological heresy, and appreciation of tradition. The rejection of these elements has created a void that has been filled by the customized spirituality that lacks biblical moorings.
SOURCE: Moral and Spiritual Anarchy (Barna Research Group of Ventura, California, www.barna.org)
Altar Call: A Christian is not one who claims to be one but one who acts like one!
Illustration from Sermon central:
I was a supply preacher for a small town Texas Church, coming in early Sunday, preaching a sermon to the congregation, and then leaving after lunch. Arriving early one Sunday I sat down at a local donut shop, opened my Bible and went over my sermon notes.
A man was sitting down the counter from me and he said, "You a preacher or something?"
I replied, "Yes I preach at the Christian Church here in town."
He got excited and said, "Hey, I’m a member of that church."
The church was small and I knew all the regulars so I said, "I’ve been preaching there for about three months and I’ve never seen you there."
He looked at me kinda strange and said, "I said I was a member of that church. I never said that I was fanatical about it!"
From Bible.org
