Finish_pt4: We are Connect Church

Philippians 3:14 NIV

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Week 1 - It’s the journey that counts

Week 3 - In my relationships, I will go the extra mile

This week - We are here this morning, because we are each part of the same body - We are Connect Church!

[PAYOFF] - 2 groups here this morning:

1 - You are here because you recognize you need the church

2 - You are here because you recognize you are the church

() “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel [unchangeable word], confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation [encouragement], who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. [What is this hope? – The City of God!], This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, [this hope leads us directly to the presence of God] 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 6:17–20 NIV

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Refuge: In the OT, God setup Cities of Refuge.

These cities represent Christ, as our refuge – Again, here, a foreshadowing of the Church!

Mt Zion - also a foreshadowing of Christ and the Church.

We are Zion!

We are no longer citizens of this world, but a new City of God!

[PAYOFF] - We belong to this city, no matter where we are in the world, BUT our local church is were we connect most to this New City!

**This is where we do life together!

**This is where we connect, protect, grow!

The Church

Psalm 46:1–7 NIV

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

The people of God – before Christ – were awaiting the establishment of a new city, a new Kingdom… an unbreakable fortress!

Psalm 4:

o It would be this City where we would take up refuge!

It would be this City where we would take up refuge!

The Church is the city of refuge.

Let’s go back to Hebrews Ch 6 and breakdown each verse.

Hebrews 6:18 NIV

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.

We are here!

We made it!

Psalm 27:4–5 NIV

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

Church, we are the city of God – His refuge!

[TRANSITION] - The Early Church understood this… they also understood that…

The Church is the light of the world.

Hebrews 6:19 NIV

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Matthew 5:14

Anchor - denotes there will be storms in life!

Matthew 5:14 NKJV

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

We are that city! We are ZION!

We are the place of refuge for those seeking help!

We are the lighthouse for the ships in the storm!

[TRANSITION] - Finally v20…

The Church is eternal.

Hebrews 6:20 NIV

where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Ephesians 1:22–23 NIV

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 2:6 NIV

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

There is nothing in this world greater! Nothing will defeat this church!

I can watch the news and get just as mad, upset, fearful as anyone else!

But I have to remind myself, the world is lost, the church is eternal, and we have the answer!

We are Connect Church

Philippians 1:6 NLT

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Paul was writing to the church in Philippi.

We often quite this verse in reference to ourselves, personally. But it was truly meant for the church as a body!

[PAYOFF] - What God has begun here at Connect Church, He will finish!

What God has begin in YOU here at Connect Church, He will finish!

Hebrews 12:22–24 NIV

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Kedesh - Holy, separate, distinguished.

There is something different about God’s people!

1 Peter 2:9 NIV

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Shechem - Shoulder.

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Galatians 6:2 NIV

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Carry, be carried!

Hebron - Fellowship.

Acts 2:42 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

[ANNOUNCE] - Join a Connect Group this summer!

Bezer - Fortress.

Romans 12:5 NIV

so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Safety, protection, relationships that build each other!

Are you as safe, outside of these relationships?

Ramoth - High, exalted.

Ephesians

Ephesians 2:6 NIV

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Golan - Joy.

Psalm 16:11 NIV

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Take Away

Psalm 132:13–16 NIV

For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.

Connect!

Don’t remove, do be removed!

God has a plan for you. He has a plan for you here!

He has a plan for US here!

His plan is for you. And, His plan is through you! (He will use you, here, to touch others)

I’ve got to let God finish building me here!