What We Owe The Church Series

`Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

Theme: What We Owe

Title: What We Owe The Church

INTRO:

Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

What a joy it is to be with all of you today!

A couple of weeks ago we looked at “What we Owe the World/Others”. In doing so we examine the reality that We Owe

+Others/World – The witness that we have experienced a personal supernatural encounter with the LORD – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That we have been rescued and redeemed by the blood of Jesus and we have been filled with the Holy Spirit.

+Others/World – A living example of a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led life; a life in which the Holy Spirit continually falls upon a person and works with and through them.

+Others/World - Sharing of the Positive message of Salvation and Sanctification – the message of how we can live free of the power and penalty of sin. The positive message of what it means to bear the fruit, the gifts and the graces of the Holy Spirit in our lives each day. The positive message that we serve a Good God who wants us to enjoy an abundant life here today and forever on the New Heaven and New Earth.

This morning, I would like for us to continue on that same track of thinking only not looking at what we owe the world but what we as individuals and as a corporate body owe the Church. By using the word Church I do not mean a certain geographic building, but Church meaning the entire body of Christ that exists in our world today.

According the latest count the number of the body of Christ in our world is nearing 2.4 – 2.5 billion people. That means that almost 1/3rd of everyone in the world has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and LORD and have received the Holy Spirit in their lives.

That is good news. In fact, that is great news. We are living in a time when the message of Salvation is going to every corner of the world. Over 100 million people in China have received Jesus as their Savior and LORD. Despite the fact that the Church is undergoing some very stiff persecution it is growing. The same could be said in India where over 30 million have received Jesus as their Savior and LORD.

The Apostle Paul in his letters pointed out that as Christ followers we owe a debt to one another. That debt has to do with how we are living out our everyday lives for Christ. To get what I mean, listen to how Paul praises the church of Thessalonica on how they are living for Christ and how their example is helping others.

“1 Thessalonians 1:4-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 For we know, brothers[a] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

The believers, the congregations that were around the area called Macedonia (Philippi, Berea, Corinth, Amphipolis, Neopolis etc…) were encouraged by the everyday witness of the Thessalonian Christians. These Thessalonian Christians were living out what it meant to be a true Christ follower. Their example encouraged and inspired all those around Macedonia to live a life of holiness. They had shown firsthand what it meant to live Presence Driven.

The same thing happens today. When we see a church building in a new neighborhood it gives us encouragement. When we see or hear about a church building an addition or hear about a revival going on somewhere it brings us encouragement and strength. When we see a church lot filled with cars or see children or teens gathered together for a time of worship it brings joy to all of our hearts. When we read stories of the great things God is doing all around an area it brings hope and joy to our hearts.