Agreeing With God- Purpose of The Church
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Before we ask what the purpose of the church is
To
What is the church?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcLVjJ4lZUE
ekklesia....defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.”
It is not the building…it is the group of people who gather in it
Last Week - Our individual Purpose
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
1 Co 1:10
So what the purpose of this “called out” group of people
We are to be in harmony with each other
Without divisions
United in the purpose
Love each other in the church
World comes in and sees it
Love people outside the church
World watches and is attracted
Last Week - Our individual Purpose
To proclaim the Character of God through our unique talents and personality displayed with love
As a group together (Church) we are called to do the same thing
Acts of love and concern Being Salt
As a group together (Church) we are called to do the same thing
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus left you and I here to do that task…it is our mission…(if we choose to accept it)
Our primary job is not to create:
Jesus
nice building - though that is part of it
Great music - though that is part of it
Nice bible studies & retreats - though that is part of it
Entertaining services & great preaching - though that is part of it
Our primary job is to make disciples
Paul said love is the most important part of this mission
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
Our faith (what we believe) needs to be expressed through acts or events done with love
Love means: Caring for people here on earth…and…also their eternal health
There are two ways the church displays this love
1) INSIDE THE CHURCH
If we sit here and learn
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
If someone comes into Mosaic and knows nothing of God
Stays and starts to see:
Gossip, infighting, insincerity, competition, judgement, anger, hatred…?
They will not stay very long
Paul said about hard hearted divisions
If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
Why should we forgive instead of fighting to be right
Why be kind when being treated unkindly
Why be kind when being treated unkindly
Why be silent when you want to argue and defend yourself
Why not allow yourself to be wronged instead of creating conflict with retaliation
(The church does have a process for handling these things properly)
Why are we called to react like this?
ask congregation question
The why is:
Because behaving this way reflects Christ to an unsaved person
Because this is NOT the way most of society behaves
Because we are called to :
Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
It is not just s lesson - though we will learn from it
It is not just test - though it will challenge us
It is not just a perfecting experience - though we will be better for it
It shows new participants in the church the face of Christ
THE SECOND PLACE WE SHOW THE LOVE OF GOD IS IN THE WORLD
Through being involved with the people in the community your church is located in.
Through corporate witness of the local church
If we loved a group of people, how would we behave towards them?
1st) Spend time with them -
form a relationship
2nd) Help them when you can-
provide things they need
Care for them
3rd) Celebrate with them-
be part of their celebration and help them celebrate
4th) Respect them -
know what they like and don’t like and act accordingly
5th) Be honest with them-Truth
: 15
And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.
Where do we get the ability/power to do all of this??
Where do we get the ability/power to do all of this??
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The power of Pentecost was given not so that we would speak in tongues
The church has resources that helps us as individuals to represent Christ
But so that we would speak to the word
Through deeds and words
The church has resources that helps us as individuals to do this great commission
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Everything done in this church is done so that YOU will be able to make disciples (believers)
The single most important purpose of the church is to reach out
Having a great worship time but
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
We are to be in harmony with each other
Without divisions
United in the purpose
Love each other in the church
World comes in and sees it
Love people outside the church
World watches and is attracted