Building T.E.M.P.O.
The Foundation of Our Faith • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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What constitutes a Biblical Church?
T eaching (v. 42)
If there is to be teaching, there must be a teacher. This section deals with the leadership of the Church. If you are going to have a biblical church, you must first have biblical leadership.
14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
E xaltation (v. 47)
Exalting our Savior should be at the forefront of our minds in everything we do. This step includes our praise and worship of Almighty God.
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
M inistry (v. ALL)
Ministry is all-encompassing word that deals with every function of the church that is used to bless others.
Under the category of ministry, we have Evangelism (v. 43-47), Discipleship (v. 42), and Missions (v. 45).
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Evangelism and Discipleship are both commanded of Jesus in His final remarks unto the disciples.
His last words must become our first work!!!
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Dealing with Missions we read:
47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
P rayer (v. 42)
Prayer is the means by which we get God’s will done on Earth. Prayer opens the window of heaven so that God’s glory can come down. Intentional prayer reveals God’s will unto us as well as showcases God’s love for us as He answers those prayers.
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
O neness (v. ALL)
Everything these people did was done in unity. The unity of the Church is the glue that holds all things together. It is what keeps everyone focused on the task at hand, which is glorifying our Heavenly Father.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
How can ABC begin to build T.E.M.P.O.?
Understanding with conviction that each of these church functions are expected from us and therefore become main focus points for us.
A spiritual leader appointed to each of these church functions who is passionate about that Church function. They would lead the church, under the guidance of Christ and the pastor, to advance our focus upon each of these things.
Create ministries specific to each of these church functions. These ministries would need to range from those who are proven within the church (standing members who are faithful in attendance and lifestyle) to seekers (those who are just beginning their journey with God and want to get involved).