My church and I
The Body, The Bride, The Blood, and The Bunch
Introduction: My burden, passion and focus the next few weeks will be on the ‘Body of Christ,’ ‘The Bride,’ ‘The Church.
There are two things:
The Body of Christ
The Local Church
I mentioned last week that I believe in the ‘local church’ and the necessity / critical role that it has been established to be. My heart has always been connected to the ‘local church’ and I have a compelling commitment to it and it’s success and purpose.
Hebrews 10:25, ‘Do not forsake the assembling…’
1 Timothy 4:13, ‘And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.’
Question: Why?
The role of the local church:
I. Worship
‘It is more engaging to do worship together as a group.’
Illustration: You can listen to music by yourself and enjoy, but there’s a special energy and enthusiasm when you go to a concert and hear live music with other fans.
‘When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue. Or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up’.
‘Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart’ (Ephesians 5).
Matthew 18:20, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name…’
Transition: Let me point out a second function that the church is responsible for.
II. Discipleship & Equipping
Matthew 11:28 ‘Go and make disciples…’
Ephesians 4:12 ‘to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all atain…
Transition:
III. Protection against Falsehood / Teachers / Deception
Too many false prophets, bad doctrine, ‘rouge’ groups.
Protection of ‘sound teaching.’
Transition:
IV. Religious Function
Weddings, funerals, baptisms, communion, corporate prayter, etc..
Transition:
V. Social and Community Function
‘Do not forsake the assembling together…’
Fellowship, Community helps / outreaches.
Reminds us that we are not alone!
Conclusion: Neither a ‘take it or leave it’ either. I / we are not going to
Keeping it Lit
Introduction: On last week on what we’ve been discussing about preaching the gospel because the last days are getting nearer and then judgment. Transition: Matthew 25 is a continuation of chapter 24 as Jesus continues to teach about being aware and prepared. I ended last week on Matthew 24:14 The rest of chapter 24 looks…
Good News In Bad Times
Matthew 24 Introduction: Last week I did not have an opportunity to fully unpack my notes about the preaching of God’s Word and why so critical. I did explain that the context was judgment; God judging all people, the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Let me add or include something I didn’t get…
Ready, Willing & Able
2 Timothy 4:1-5 Introduction: Paul calls and reminds the younger Timothy that to be a part of God’s kingdom community is He will need to be Ready, Willing, and Able. Transition: I’m going to start with the reason or conclusion of this portion of writing. Paul tells Timothy that a time is coming, 2 Timothy…
Father Knows Best
Job 38 Introduction: I want to assume that in most Christians Life, at one time or another, we have wondered and even somewhat questioned God about matters that we face or things we don’t understand. it’s dimensions, supports its foundation, laid the cornerstone, morning stars sang together & angels shouted for joy. From the…
Righteousness & Holiness
Introduction: My last week in 4 of ‘things worth fighting for.’ Cross, Others, Local church and today righteousness and holiness. Righteousness and Holiness Righteousness is one of the chief attributes of God as portrayed in the Hebrew Bible. Its chief meaning concerns ethical conduct (for example, Leviticus 19:36; Deuteronomy 25:1; Psalm 1:6; Proverbs 8:20). In…
The Local Church
Introduction: And a brief prayer, an old Anglican prayer: ‘Father, what we know not, teach us. What we have not, give us. What we are not, make us. For your Son’s sake. Amen’. Time to fight for the Local Church! The following was mainly taken from https://www.challies.com/articles/why-the-local-church-really-matters/ Introduction: As we prepare to worship God tomorrow,…
In Support
In Support of One Another Introduction: Week 2 of things we should rally around. To ‘rally around’ is an idiom: to join together to support (something or someone) in a difficult time or situation! And a brief prayer, an old Anglican prayer: ‘Father, what we know not, teach us. What we have not, give…
Rally Cry!
Introduction: And a brief prayer, an old Anglican prayer: ‘Father, what we know not, teach us. What we have not, give us. What we are not, make us. For your Son’s sake. Amen’. I want to speak to you about the things we should be fighting for! Application: Maybe it would be a good idea…
Worry Wart
Matthew 6:19-34 Introduction: Have you ever heard the term/expression worry wart? Have you ever wondered where that came from? In the late 1920’s a character called ‘worry wary’ appeared in a cartoon strip in Dell comics and was drawn by J.R. Williams. ‘Worry Wart’ became a generic nickname or insult for any character who caused…