Sermon Tone Analysis

Temple - A physical space that serves as God’s dwelling place.

(Tabernacle, also House of God)

, ;

Church - the community of faithful believers, of whom Jesus Christ is the head

;

But as of today there is no difference.

By extension the temple of Later glory, greater glory is you.

1. God’s purposes for the church

1.1.

To praise God

​

See also ; ; ; ;

1.2.

To share God’s glory

​ NKJVFor whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

-God will build his church

​ NKJVAnd I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

See also ; ; ; ; ; ;

1.4.

To challenge Satan’s dominion

“rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” refers to the powers of evil.See also ; ;

1.5.

To go into the world in mission

​ NKJVNow all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

2. How the church will fulfill God’s purpose.

2. Through unity expressed in fellowship

2.1.

Through unity expressed in fellowship

2.1.1.

Fellowship with God​

​

See also ; ; ; ;

2.1.2.

Fellowship expressed by meeting together

​ NKJVSo continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

See also ; ; ; ; ;

2.1.3.

Fellowship expressed through sharing resources

​ NKJVNow all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

2.1.4.

Fellowship through suffering

See also ; ; ; ; ;

2.1.5.

Fellowship through shared spiritual blessings

​ NKJVNow this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

See also ; ; ; ;

2.2.

Specific actions which express fellowship and unity in the church

2.2.1.

Sharing in the Lord’s Supper

​ NKJVThe cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?

The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

See also ; ;

2.2.2.

Baptism as an expression of unity

See also

2.2.3.

Extending hospitality

; ; ; ; ; ;

2.2.4.

Greeting one another

; ; ; ;

2.2.5.

Welcoming former opponents

; ;

3. The church beware of Divisions

3.1.

Divisions in the church

3.1.

Causes of division in the NT church

3.1.1.

Personal ambition:

;

3.1.2.

Ethnic tension:

​ NKJVNow in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

3.1.3.

Differences of opinion:

;

3.1.4.

Troublesome heretical leaders:

;

3.1.5.

Partisan spirit:

; , litigation and disputes

3.1.6.

Greed:

; ;

3.2.

Warnings against divisions in the church

​ NKJVNow I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

See also ; ; ; ;

3.3.

Acceptable differences in the church

3.3.1.

In secondary matters of conscience, Christians are to respect rather than judge each other.

These things need not impair the essential unity that is in Christ:

; ;

3.3.2.

In varieties of spiritual gifts:

; ;

3.4.

Necessary divisions in the church

3.4.1.

Between the true gospel and heretical alternatives:

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

3.4.2.

Between those truly committed to Jesus Christ, and those apparently part of the church but living sinful lives:

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

3.4.3.

Over essential gospel principles:

; ; ;

In conclusion let us remember His promise that He is always with us

; ;