A place where everybody knows your name-
We all want to be loved and accepted & in the church, God has created a body where we can all feel His love and acceptance.
Acts 2:41-47-early church
-unity, together
-joined together w/ other believers & devoted themselves to ap. Teaching and prayer
-met together constantly & shared everything they had
-shared w/ those in need
-worshiped together in homes
-met in homes for Lord’s Supper
-shared meals w/ great joy and generosity
Group characterized by unity & love
Greek word 4 church ekklesia– a common word that was used when talking about a group of people who were called out for a purpose, ex. Group of citizens called out of their houses for a public meeting, or an army of soldiers called out for battle.
-As the church we are God’s called out ones-He has called us out of the world for a specific purpose to be His children, His body, His ambassadors to the world. To show His character, His love, His acceptance, His forgiveness to those around us, including each other.
-Our love should set us apart
I want to make sure that we understand what the church is and what it is not
The church is not-A place you go
-A place to have your needs met, a place to be fed
-A vendor of goods and services
The church is the people of God on a mission for Him
When we meet together as the church, we are not providing a “good or a service” to be consumed. Rather this building is a place that we come to gather together as the church to worship God together and encourage one another –EPIC Gathering
Heb. 11:25 “And let us not neglect our meeting together as some people do, but encourage and warn one another, especially now that the day of His coming back again is near.”
The church is the people of God on a mission for Him
We are God’s people called out for a purpose, we His missionaries called out and then sent into the world to share the message of His love, mercy, & grace
The church is a body of people sent on a mission who gather in community for worship, community, encouragement and suppelemental teaching from the Word in addition to what they are self-feeding themselves throughout the week.
We must understand you don’t go to church-
YOU ARE THE CHURCH!!
And we gather together as one body, to encourage one another and worship God.
Tonight we want to give you an opportunity to do just that as we celebrate communion together.
Explanation of communion-for believers, kids honor your parents
-come to the table, 2 stations-take communion, take position behind the table, serve the person next in line
