IT: What We Believe: The Church

Good morning and welcome again to CCC

Just a couple quick things before we get going this morning

Please grab a notes sheet if you have not done so already....you will notice at the bottom of the note sheet a link....that link takes you to a free spiritual gift inventory and it is important that you take that this week and either save it to your phone or print it and bring it with you next week as we dive into spiritual gifts

Tuesday is Christmas Eve and we will be doing our Christmas Eve Candlelight service starting at 5 pm....make plans to join us

Next Sunday is Hymn Sunday and we will have a very special guest coming back Eli is planning on being here and helping with hymn sunday next week so make sure you are here to see and love on Eli again.

Worship night will be on New Years Eve we will have our IT potluck dinner and fellowship and will have a message and communion at some point during the night as well

Worship starts at 6 pm on Tuesday 12/31

Let’s pray

This morning we continue with our IT: Salvation and Discipleship What turns your crank sermon series

We will wrap up this series next week

This morning we talk about the church

the Church is what God uses to accomplish IT

no dont hear church and think of a building or service because we call buildings and services church but it is not the church

you

i

brothers

sisters in Christ

Christians we are the church

We gather in buildings and services but we are the church

I am the church

You are the church

1 Corinthians 12:12–31

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12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.

This is very clear

all members

All Christians are needed and important

No part is ever grater than the whole

no member

pastor

elder

worship leader is more important than another

humans place titles and standing or prestige with people

God does not

now teachers and pastors and elders and deacons are held to a higher standard in terms of how they live their lives and how they taught the Word of God but they have no more importance in the body…the church....than anyone else

It takes everyone

not because God needs it but because God wants it that way

He designed you for specific tasks

Ephesians 2:10

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“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Not only are you God’s workmanship....created by Him....but He created specific works for you to carry out. You have a God ordained and God planned ministry

works that you were created to walk in

Matthew 7:13–14

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““Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Pastor this really doesnt fit here does it....yep look at what Jesus is saying

Enter at the narrow gate

what does that mean

that means that not everyone who calls themselves a Christian.....part of the body…Christ’s bride is in fact that

Matthew 7:21–23

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“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Notice the works

prophesy

cast out demons

many mighty works....miracles

What was Jesus response…I NEVER KNEW YOU

Those were church folk who had never truly met Jesus

or the met Him and rejected Him and thought their works would do the trick

the looked good on the outside but stunk on the inside because they didnt know Jesus

I want you to hear this....God created works for you to do.....you and only you but doing works doesnt mean you know Jesus and are doing the works created for you to do

these people thought they were good

cant you hear the shock and awe in their voice

but Jesus we did all these things in your name

Yes but I never knew you was His response

It is always about a heart relationship never about works

Clearly from the scripture we have looked at so far you cannot be part of the body of Christ the church without works because works are a byproduct....will supernaturally happen because you are saved but do nothing to get you saved or earn any kind of favor with God

So why gather???????

Hebrews 10:22–25

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“let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

God gives us the answer here in Hebrews

do not neglect meeting together

We have paused our Men’s Discipleship group and our jr and sr high bible study group and I never pause anything lightly

this is one of the reasons I pray about those things being paused and seek God’s will in those things

we have to make sure we are standing on scripture

What I want you to see is that according to Hebrews what makes the church the church has nothing to do with programs or ministries

there is nothing wrong with programs and ministries but that is not why we gather

We gather because Jesus made us whole

we gather to “stir up one another to love and good works”.....cheer each other on....encourage one another....hold each other accountable

we gather to worship but not in the way many think of worship today

you and i as Christians have Joy

not happiness…happiness is based upon circumstances and emotions

you have joy as a Christian

I want to look at that for a few moments

Christians have joy in Christ Jesus

1 Peter 1:8–9

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“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory

why

it is the outcome of your faith

the salvation of your soul

joy has nothing to do with you

joy has nothing to do with circumstances

joy has nothing to do with situations

joy has nothing to do with anything human

it has everything to do with Jesus and the Holy Spirit

your joy is Jesus and the work He did on the cross and the hope you have in Him that He is who He says He is and did what He said He did

Hope you will be with Him in heaven forever and ever

your joy is tied to Jesus

you have joy because this world isnt it

you have joy because you truly believe God will raise you from the dead on that day and you will meet Jesus in the air....if you are still alive when Jesus returns you will see your dead brothers and sisters risen and joined to their new bodies then you will be carried away in the air and given your new body in Chirst

Salvation....resurrection....Jesus

that is your joy and nothing can take that way from you

where there is joy there is peace

Romans 15:13

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

filled with all joy and peace

do you see it?

through Jesus we have an eternal hope

that hope is Jesus

that hope then brings peace and joy

I realized this past week I was smashing my joy

i was smashing my peace in Jesus

I was relying on me

I was relying on things of the world not truly relying on Jesus

God brought that to me this week and once I realized and confessed and repented

immediately felt a joy and peace that i couldnt explain

nothing changed

i still have a job at the schools that i hate......i dont hate the kids.....i dont hate the people i work with.....i am not however an elementary teacher and it was wearing on me but I was dealing with it

I was trying to overcome it

I wasnt allowing Jesus to have it and trust completely in Him

My wife is still walking through this journey and recovering from surgery and there is nothing worse than watching someone you love deeply hurt…I was trying to deal with that instead of realizing that God led us to this step because He knows what is best for her and taking Joy in that

nothing changed around me but God changed something in me

when you have joy you are able to face the world and handle anything

any situation

any circumstance

any disappointment.....we had disappointment this morning.....Cheryl and I met and she was ready to be baptized this morning

I filled the baptistry last week and had the heater and circulating pump going and when I came in this morning the tank was bone dry and the heater burned up....no baptism today....I know that was disappointing for Cheryl and my prayer for her this morning was for her to see God working in this and for her to take peace in Jesus that He has it and it will be perfect when it, God willing, happens next week

any relationship

any hurt

you have joy in those times and you handle those things in a way that glorifies God and shines the light and love of Jesus into this dark world

Romans 12:12

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“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

rejoice in hope

you rejoice because of the hope you have in Jesus

patient in tribulation

patient because you know God is working

He knows you

He has plans to prosper you

you are constant in prayer because Jesus is the source of your joy and peace so you take everything to Him

You will notice todays service has been different than normal

Normally we do a song then greet one another…we started with greeting today....were going to start with baptism but God had different plans but normally a song then greeting then another song then communion then our worship time…3 songs…sermon…invitation…made for more as we prepare to leave

God showed me the church misses worship....it is not just a time in service

is has nothing to do with the order of service

it is a lifestyle and I want to look at that today as well

If a church is not defined by their Joy and Worship and service, that we will look at next week they are not a church....they are a group of people meeting and doing things of their own will and power

1 Chronicles 16:23–31

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“Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!””

Singing is worship and also should be part of gathering but worship is deeper than that

much deeper

why do you worship

I want you to ask yourself that question....not just worship during service but 24/7/365

before you ask yourself that question ask yourself this question

do you worship 24/7/365?

You and I must worship because of Jesus

because of salvation

If it wasnt for Jesus and Him becoming your sin

dying in your place

then you are doomed to hell

you worship because of salvation

Notice also you must approach worship with reverence

again not so much a worship service but a lifestyle

vs 30 “tremble before Him” not tremble in fear....you should fear God’s wrath but not God Himself....no you tremble in reverence

you tremble because of His great power and love

Rejoice He is your Father as a Christian

you sell God short so often

how many times do you just go from moment to moment

experience to experience

trauma to trauma and do our own thing

God gives all good gifts James 1:17 tells us that

Psalms 23 tells us God never leaves us nor forsakes us

He walks through the good and bad with us

that is why you worship

Daniel 2:20–23

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“Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.””

God is all wisdom

James tells us God freely and completely gives you wisdom when you seek Him and ask

Not only does He give wisdom He changes the times and seasons

Isnt that cool

you God is everything and freely gives you as His child everything when you obey and seek Him

that is why you worship

Jesus even spoke of worship

John 4:21–24

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Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.””

Worship in Spirit

Again not limited to a physical act

when we all as a family enter spiritual worship.....you know it and feel it

The Holy Spirit moves in each of us at the same time

He brings encouragement

He brings conviction

again not because of a song or music but the Holy Spirit

So what does that look like outside of the Church building

Romans 12:1–2

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“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Now we will get into this in much greater depth next week but look at your worship

“present your body as a living sacrifice”

you die to you

you die to your wants

you die to your desires

you die to your flesh

You are a living sacrifice because of all God is and because of all God has done

because of all that you die to you

that is your worship and your reasonable service....or the bear minimum

you make sacrifices because serving God is more important than serving you or man

You gladly give up you for God

you gladly give up your works for God’s work

you gladly give up being served to serve others

to truly do this you must have the Holy Spirit apply vs 2 “Do not be conformed to this world”

you see worship pushes out the world

where there is worship there is zero room for world

how

by the renewing of your mind....studying scriptures and allowing Holy Spirit to change you to match those scriptures

truly standing on God’s Word is worship

allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you is worship

Allowing the Holy Spirit to apply…change you because of scripture is worship

Worship must consume you and your life

This morning we are going to worship as a family

i want you first to realize the spiritual warfare going on this morning

I told the worship team this is the first time I have ever lead a group

I have done songs by myself but I have never lead a group but I felt God strongly leading me to do what we are doing this morning

why

because it has nothing to do with us

it has nothing to do with the quality of music or singing

it has everything to do with our hearts and my heart

so i said yes

this morning as we worship the altar is open

if you need to come to get with Jesus please do

we have men who will come and pray over you and if you want to talk to them about what is going on please do....if you want to talk to me after please let them know or come find me after service and we will talk and pray

if God has been speaking to you this morning come

if during worship God moves in you come

I beg you get with God......truly worship God....let everything melt away and lean into God

worship Him for who He is

What He has done

and how He loves you

Let’s Worship

https://gifts.churchgrowth.org/spiritual-gifts-survey/