HELPING YOUR CHURCH

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Every church needs help. Every church needs helpers. Too many people are quick to criticize the church but not willing to help it. Many churches do not move forward because of the lack of helpers. There are many ways you may help your church. We will list just six ways.

I. CONGREGATE

A. The Importance of Attending— Living in awful times. We need more of the church today than ever.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

25And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

B. The Inspiration of Attending— Here we see David’s inspiration and excitement of attending God’s house.

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

1I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

C. The Influence of Attending— The followers of Christ by attending church were called Christians by the non-Christians.

When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

26When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

II COOPERATION

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

II. COOPERATION

1On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

A. Importance of Cooperation—All with one accord. As the result, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

1On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

B. Influence of Cooperation— Dwelling in unity brings fellowship and God’s blessings.

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

1How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

C. Indifference Destroys Cooperation—.

(Note)I am not going to read this scripture.

III. CONTRIBUTION

A. Giving Shows Spirituality— Those who fail to follow God’s plan of giving rob God.

(NLT)

8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.

9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

B. Giving Shows Surrender— A surrendered person will give faithfully.

On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

2On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

C. Giving Shows Sincerity— God loves a cheerful giver—he who gives because he truly loves God.

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

7You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

IV. CONCENTRATE

A. Divine Mind— Having the mind of Christ in us. Only as we think upon the things of God will we have the mind of God.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

5You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

B. Destroying Mind— To be carnally minded means death, or separation from God.

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

6So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

C. Dedicated Mind—. Keeping your mind upon Christ while attending a church service.

V. CONSECRATE

A. Danger—. These men endangered their lives for the sake of the gospel.

B. Dedication—. Paul had marks, or scars in his body because of living for Christ.

C. Determined—. All the sufferings and persecution could not keep Paul from giving up Christ.

V. COMPLIMENT

A. Promote the Church— Notice they never stopped preaching and teaching about Jesus.

And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

42And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

B. Praise Your Church— They went everywhere and talked about Christ. They could not keep quiet.

But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

4But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

C. Protect Your Church— Be a peacemaker. If you hear gossip or criticism, be a peacemaker and stop the misunderstanding.

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. They will be called peacemakers..............

9God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

The church is only what YOU MAKE IT! You are the church. The church can be no better than its members. To have a soul-winning church you must be a soul-winner. As Christians work together, God’s church moves forward. Be a helper in your church. Help God’s work to grow and overcome evil.

AMEN