Playing Church
November 16, 2008 Evening Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We must BE the church, not just attend one.
Focus Passage: Romans 12:9-21
Supplemental Passage: James 1:27 NASB Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Introduction:
I. Church at Ephesus – Rev 2:4 “Left your first love”
II. Church at Pergamum – Rev 2:14 “Commit acts of immorality”
III. Church at Thyatira – Rev 2:20 “Tolerate (false prophets and teachings)”
IV. Church at Sardis – Rev 3:2 “Unfinished work” v3 “asleep on duty”
V. Church at Laodicea – Rev 3:16 “Lukewarm” v17 “self sufficient”
VI. Church at Smyrna – Rev 2:10 “Do not fear what you will suffer, be faithful unto death”
VII. Church at Philadelphia – Rev 3:9 “I will exalt you” v11 “hold fast”
Invitation:
Honor Form above Substance
Worship the written Word instead of Jesus
Quarrel instead of fellowship
More concerned with dress than condition of the heart (self and others)
More concerned about paying bills than doing ministry
Turned completely inward
Ignore widow and orphans
Service means being on a committee not serving one another
Get mad/talk about pastor/leaders instead of praying for/supporting them
