We Love Our Church!
Ephesians 5:25, 1 Tim. 3:15
http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WeLoveOurChurch.html
Society minimizes the need for and the work of the local church. Some say that the church is no longer "relevant" but I believe that it is more relevant than any other institution or organization on the planet! The church is the "pillar and ground of the truth" as we see in I Tim. 3:15.
1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Incidentally, you cannot behave yourself ‘in’ the house of God unless you are ‘in’ it!
The truth about God, Salvation, Heaven, Hell, Holiness, Prayer, and a multitude of other subjects has been recorded in God’s Word and it in turn has been entrusted to us, as we labor together in the local church.
We love our church. In our text we see that Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it. We ought to love what He loves.
Ill.—I have come to love things my wife loves...why? Because I love her. On our way back from vacation we went within an hour of Pittsburgh, home of my Steelers! She’s a Philly girl, arch rivals, but she has come to follow them too, and suggested we go out of our way to see the stadium. Thank God for a good woman!
WE LOVE OUR CHURCH BECAUSE…
I. OUR CHURCH IS UNIQUE.–
A. Because Of Its Founder.–
Matthew 16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
1. Christ Is the Head of the Church –
Ephes. 1:22
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church…
Ephes. 5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
2. Christ Gave Himself For The Church – EPH. 5:25
B. Our Church Is Unique Because Of Its Foundation.– Mt. 16:18
1. Founded On Christ – He Is the Foundation-Stone
1 Cor. 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Ephes. 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
1 Peter 2:4-5
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
C. Our Church Is Unique Because Of Its Function.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Not just Jesus, but us as we continue His work...
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
D. Our Church Is Unique Because It’s Forever.–
Rev. 21:9
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
OUR CHURCH IS UNIQUE…
II. OUR CHURCH IS UNCOMMON!
A. Not a Cookie Cutter Church
1. Same In Beliefs But Different In Style
2. Has It’s Own Unique Flavor / Balance
Ill.—There’s good people all around us who criticize us, and who love us as well. You know you’ve got a good balance when many Baptists today say you’re too liberal and many others say you’re too conservative. I say let’s just try to be Biblical, and to be relevant. We’re progressive in our methods but our message is the old time gospel, still relevant today!
III. OUR CHURCH IS UNITED –
A. In Our Love For The Lord – Eph. 5:24
B. In Our Love For The Laity –
Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
C. IN OUR LOVE FOR THE LOST -
1 Thes. 3:12
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
IV. OUR CHURCH IS UNSELFISH
A. Ministering To Our Jerusalem
1. Sunday School, Sunday And Wednesday Services, Church Visitation Program, Teen Ministry, Children’s Ministries, Shut Ins, Hospitals, Mail outs, New residents, Word of Life and discipleship...Etc.
2. Ministering To Our Judaea and Samaria -
3. Home Missions – Children’s Homes, Crisis Pregnancy, Working With Local Church Planters Establishing Churches. [NYC]
B. Ministering To the World Through Missions
1. The Missionaries And Mission Works We Support Around The Globe
2. Our online sermon ministry, now over 2,000 sermon downloads every day!
V. OUR CHURCH IS UNSATISFIED
A. Unsatisfied With The Status Quo
B. Unsatisfied To Be Stagnant
C. We Want To Grow
1. In Grace
2. In Numbers
3. That Takes Prayer, Witnessing, and Funding
[variation on message by Chris Anderson]
http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WeLoveOurChurch.html
