My church and I

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 

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