The Church Has Left The Building

The Church Has Left the Building

January 18, 2009 Evening Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: If we are to become “contagious”, we must get out of our comfort zone and among the sinners.

Focus Passage: Matthew 9:10-13

Introduction: "Elvis has left the building!" is a phrase that was often used following Elvis Presley concerts to disperse audiences who lingered in hopes of an Elvis encore. Al Dvorin, a concert announcer who traveled with Elvis throughout the performer’s career, made the phrase famous when his voice was captured on many recordings of Elvis’ performances.

I. Facilities (building) versus congregation

a. "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. (Matthew 16:18)

II. The Great Commission

a. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

b. Taken for granted that you will be “going”. Not just “going to church”, but going along in your daily life.

III. We have become too comfortable doing “what works”.

a. The 7 last words of a dying church: We’ve never done it that way before!

b. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, (Revelation 3:13-17)

c. We haven’t/won’t change the Gospel. But the world around us has changed the way they want to receive/hear it.

d. The Gospel/Bible/Church IS STILL REVELENT, but perhaps our delivery methods have become obsolete.

i. Examples: telegraph, newspapers

e. We’ve been saved so long we have forgotten what it is like to be lost.