The Church 12 Part 3
Thesis: The Bible clearly supports and expects Christians to be a part of the church. Church is a community of believers who come together on the Lords Day to worship God and to support each other. Scripture does not show Paul, Silas or Peter going into a city just to make believers and then after conversion sending them home to be lone ranger believers instead these new believers - the disciples of Jesus started churches. They united together to worship, to fellowship, to serve the Lord together, to help each other and to spread the Message of Jesus.
Scripture Texts:
1. (7th reason)Because The Church operates in the Spiritual Gifts of Holy Spirit for the sake of the Body of Christ (inward).
a.
b. Scripture Texts:
i. I Corinthians 12:1 "Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant...4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit...7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good..."
ii. 1 Corinthians 14: "1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts...26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church...40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
iii. Romans 12:1-21:
1. The gifts are bestowed – placed in individuals within the church for a purpose a divine reason:
a. The Body of Christ and their spiritual gifts are to edify the church and it’s people including leadership.
b. The gifts are to be in operation within the church to build up the church not tear it down.
c. The spiritual gifts of the members of the church are to be used to strengthen the church and make it more powerful in its impact on the world’s belief systems – this is done to see personal lives transformed and community transformation.
c. A church which is flowing in the spiritual gifts and being led by the Holy Spirit will transform the world with the message and the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
i. I Corinthians 14:12 ‘Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.”
1. Are you using your gifts to build up the church?
d. Highlight Wagner’s Spiritual gifts test and talk about the gifts from his list.
i. Show test booklet.
2. (8th reason)Because The Church is a place where people are being baptized and testifying to what the Lord has done in their lives (Acts 2:38, 41) (upward and inward and outward).
a. See the sequence in the word Repent and be Baptized
i. Acts 2:38,41:
1. 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...” 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
b. This is what our Baptismal service is about - This is what church is about - it’s being obedient to fulfill the Great Commission of the Lord.
i. People will be overcoming by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and they will briefly tell what the Lord has done in their lives at baptism.
1. Revelation 12:11 “They overcame him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.”
a. How they repented and received the gift of forgiveness.
b. How that act changed their lives and hearts.
ii. 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 in your life.
1. See Romans 6:
iii. The 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 at their baptism.
1. It changes the lives of the ones watching as much as the one who is being baptized.
3. (9th reason) Because The church is a family – a fellowship of God the Father and His children.
a. Scripture Texts:
i. Acts 2:41, 42: 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.
ii. Psalm 68:6: God sets the lonely in families we are told in this verse. This what he did in Acts.
iii. Romans 8:12-17: 12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co–heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
1. Abba Father - this phrase means this for us today, "Hi dad I am having a rough day today can we talk? Dad’s response "Absolutely let’s you and I go find a quiet place to talk over coffee were no one will interrupt us!"
iv. Here is a promise from "Abba" or "Papa" to you and I from 2 Corinthians 6:18: "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters says the Lord Almighty."
b. 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. It was their family.
i. Church is to be like this a place where everyone knows you name.
1. 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!)
2. The tv show of the ex-amish and the importance of family.
a. The show reveals what happens to kids shunned by their Amish families.
ii. It’s a family that loves you for who you are faults and all.
iii. It’s a family because it’s the place where we receive love, comfort and even redirection in life sometime.
iv. It’s a family because family is the place where we receive love and nurture.
v. It’s a place where we laugh and cry together and find out it’s going to be okay.
vi. It’s a safe place where we run to get away from the storms of life.
vii. It’s a place were you may argue and disagree but still love one another.
1. 1 Corinthians 13
c. The church is to break bread together and fellowship with one another it’s a daily thing not a weekly deal but it parallels a family and having regular meals together (Acts 2:42, 46).
i. The church is where we fellowship together and eat and talk and share about our day.
1. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer...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..."
ii. It’s the place where we share our resources with one another – our food- our encouragement.
1. The church is where we find strength and support to press on in the Lord.
2. I Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
3. 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.”
4. 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).
5. There is no place in the church for rugged self centered individuals and lone rangers. – it’s not New Testament Christianity!
d. 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!
ii. The church is to be like Barnabas, “One who encourages one another!” (Acts 4:36-37)
1. 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.
2. We are to encourage one another!
e. Church is God’s Family – God is our Abba Father, your Papa and mine.
4. (10th reason)Because The Church is the counter culture influence on this world –we are united by having the mind of Christ not the mind of the world (Acts 2:44)(outward).
a. Scripture Texts:
i. James 3:13-4:12;
1. Two Kinds of Wisdom
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace–loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
b. Why did the New Testament church have everything in common because they died to their own self-centered ideas and allowed their mind to be renewed with the mind of Christ.
i. Acts 2:44:44All the believers were together and had everything in common.
1. They understood the eternal picture rather than the earthly picture.
2. They understood that not getting my way was biblical – It was about doing things His way!
c. It’s a place where selfishness has died and the unity of the body of Christ has emerged.
i. The Bible said ALL! It can happen here too!
5. (11th Reason) Because The Church is a place that shares everything they have with each other (Acts 2:45; 4:32-37).
a. Scripture Texts:
i. Acts 2:45: Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
ii. Acts 4:32-37: All 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.
1. The disciples gave God their time
2. Their possessions
3. Their gifts
4. Their money
5. Their talents
6. Their lives – See Romans 12:1
b. The church is to be a place that meets everyone’s needs not wants within the body (Acts 2:45; 4:32-37)!
i. Where widows and orphans are cared for!
1. Yes, we the church are to care for widows and orphans!
a. This is an area you can be involved in!
i. 1 Timothy 5
ii. James 1:25
c. The church is to not be a selfish place, a place that hoards money and finances but one that gives it away.
i. A place where needs are met every need!
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.
i. People must come together in a local place to become the church that is what Jesus desires us to do!
6. (12th Reason) Because The Church is a place where people are filled with awe at the many wonders and miraculous signs God does through his Holy Spirit and His disciples (Acts 2: 43; 4:33).
a. People will be in awe at changed lives.
i. Acts 2:43: Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
ii. Acts 4:33: With 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, the like.
2. Converted people who forgive without revenge
3. Converted people who serve one another in love
4. Converted people who give everything they have to those in need.
b. They will be in awe as they see these types of miracles happening around them:
i. People who see God’s healing miracles.
ii. People who see God’s amazing financial provision.
iii. People who see God delivering people from different bondages.
iv. People who see God speak truth into a life and see it changed forever.
v. People who see others living in agape love-perfect love.
vi. People who see unity in the body.
vii. People who see a genuine love for God and others.
Conclusion:
The Church Who Needs It?
Hebrews 10:25: Let 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.
The Bible clearly supports and expects Christians to be a part of the church. Church is a community of believers who come together on the Lords Day to worship God and to support each other. Scripture does not show Paul, Silas or Peter going into a city just to make believers and then after conversion sending them home to be lone ranger believers instead these new believers - the disciples of Jesus started churches.
Summary of points 1-10 of why we need the church:
1. Because Jesus created the church and set up its divine mission not mankind (upward focus –inward focus –outward focus)
2. Because to be a part of The Church of Jesus you have to repent of sin and accept Jesus as you Lord and Savior in a verbal and action orientated way (upward focus).
3. Because Jesus is the head of the church – not men, women, denominations, committees, boards, elders or deacons (upward focus).
4. Because the church has people called to it by God (you may be one of them) who steward and lead the church as directed by Jesus and the Holy Spirit (inward focus).
5. Because the church is designed by Jesus to teach, correct and discipline through love the Body of Christ.
6. Because The church is a place to pray and to worship God together (upward)
7. Because The Church operates in the Spiritual Gifts of Holy Spirit for the sake of the Body of Christ (inward).
8. Because The Church is a place where people are being baptized and testifying to what the Lord has done in their lives (Acts 2:38, 41) (upward and inward and outward).
9. Because The church is a family – a fellowship of God the Father and His children.
10. Because The Church is the counter culture influence on this world –we are united by having the mind of Christ not the mind of the world (Acts 2:44)(outward).
11. Because The Church is a place that shares everything they have with each other.
12. Because The Church is a place where people are filled with awe at the many wonders and miraculous signs God does through his Holy Spirit and His disciples.
