Introduction:
Tonight going to share what has been weighing heavy on my heart
It is something that has become very personal to me.
I have been struggling with this for quite some time
Why come to church? What makes church so great?
How many people show up to church to enjoy it?
How many people that show up are new faces? Same ole same ole?
What should people come to church?
Not talking about West Side, GB or any denomination.
I’m talking about church in general…nothing more nothing less
Before dive in to topic let me say that church is not about judgment
We should never judge anybody in church
Judgment is for God. Let God deal with making all the judgments
Church not about Gossip! Leave the Gossip at home.
Now let us look at what church should be about: Mostly Y Come to Church
Point #1: Church Place to Experience God (Ex. 3:1-10)
Church is place to experience God
In order to experience God we need to be expecting God to move
Prior to services, be ready to experience God – Prayer, Bible Study, etc
What r we doing prior to Worship Services?
Everybody who walks in a service should have opportunity to see God
The building we gather in is a holy place
People come to church sometimes with heavy hearts. God can help
We can’t get in the way of their experience.
Each person will have different experience in worship service
Yet sometimes we get in the way. How? Gossip, watching reactions, etc
Gather together to worship fully.
Don’t worry bout what others do in church – Key Focus on God
Maybe strive have experience like Moses did in Exodus 3:1-10
Bible Example: Moses Burning Bush
Exodus 3:1-10 says, “Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (NIV)
1. Moses had wilderness experience with God – God call him (vs. 1-4)
2. Moses had worshipful experience with God – Holy Ground (vs. 5-6)
3. Moses had wonderful experience with God – Hears Prayers (vs. 7-10)
Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.” (NASB)
Psalm 95:6 says, “Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” (NASB)
Phil. 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (NKJV)
Moses experience is great example that we should all strive to have
An experience with God is totally free
We r nothing without God
John 4:24 says, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (NKJV)
God will use everything around us to see his Glory
R U Ready to let God and let God move in your life?
God doesn’t want just pew sitters
God can use our personal experiences to help others have experience God
Point 2: Church Place Spiritual Growth (2 Cor. 2:4-5)
Before a church can see any numerical growth must have spiritual growth
Church here to encourage others to grow
Spiritual Growth happens all the time not just in church: home as well
Spiritual Growth Examples:
Bible Study, Fellowship, Growth Groups, Sunday School Class; Worship
Worship Services; Music helps get us in frame of mind for teaching
All of us r teachers but we must also be teachable
When we study God’s Word are we allowing God to grow us?
Bible Example: Growth Requires Change
1. Transformation of Mind (Romans 12:1-2)
Romans 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform 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.” (NIV)
2. Spiritual Growth comes God (1 Cor. 3:7-9)
1 Cor. 3:7-9 says, “7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (NIV)
3. Growth and Discipline (Heb. 12:7-9)
Hebrews 12:7-9 says, “7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!” (NIV)
Psalm 51:10-12 says, “10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.” (NASB)
1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (NASB)
2 Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” (NIV)
Growth also requires us to make a change
Can’t stay the same! Christian walk and in life!
Change not a bad word! God uses change for Good! (Ecc. 3:1-8)
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (NIV)
R we wanting to grow our faith? Do we want to learn more about God!
Disciples Jesus had wanted to learn all they could! Get involved!
As we grow, God will put U to work!
R we willing to work for God?
Point 3: Church Foundation built on God (Matt. 18:17-19)
Matthew 18:17-19 says, “17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. 18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” (NKJV)
The true foundation of any church should be God and His word!
God built the church on firm foundation!
God also foundation of our faith!
Example:
Builders, Designers, and contractors all start every build with foundation.
If foundation is off then the building collapses.
Everything in their field starts foundation.
Success of church bases on foundation!
Everything church says and does should come from Scripture!
A church constitution must and should come out of Bible!
Foundation on God gives our church and lives direction and meaning!
Church foundation can be based on 3 Things:
1. Foundation Rock Solid, No Leaks (Matthew 7:24-27)
Matthew 7:24-27 says, “24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (NKJV)
2. Chief Cornerstone in Church is God (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Ephesians 2:19-22 says, “19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (NKJV)
3. Stand Firm on Faith and Church (2 Timothy 2:19)
2 Timothy 2:19 says, “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (NKJV)
Church is perfect place to build a foundation on God!
Church no foundation on God it will fail!
As Christians if no foundation on God we will fall into temptation sin!
Church should follow example of Jesus (Matthew 11:28-29)
Matthew 11:28-29 says, “28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (NIV)
People come to church for healing! Foundation on God all we need!
Conclusion:
Church is vital part of our everyday lives!
Church much more than building: more about people!
Church doesn’t need to have building just people!
God needs to be put back in Church
The church can do a lot!
People need to remember 3 Very important things:
1. Experience God
2. Spiritual Growth
3. Foundation for all believers
What r we wanting church today to be about? Cant fear anymore!
Let people come to church be place to:
Experience God
Spiritual Growth
And Firm Foundation!
