STRONG ROOTS, PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT!
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· 154 viewsThe importatance of Church Attendance
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Strong Roots, Produce Good Fruit!
Strong Roots, Produce Good Fruit!
The Dead Church:
A new pastor in a small town spent his first four days making personal visits to each of the members, inviting them to come to his first service.
The following Sunday, the church was all but empty. So,the pastor placed a notice in the local newspaper, stating that because the church was dead, it is everyone’s duty to give it a decent Christian burial. The funeral would be held the following Sunday afternoon.
Curious, a large crowd turned out for the funeral. In front of the pulpit, they saw a closed coffin, smothered with flowers. After the pastor delivered the eulogy, he open the coffin and invited his congregation to come forward and pay their final respects to their dead church.
Filled with curiosity at what would represent the corpse of a dead church, all the people lined up to look in the coffin. Each mourner peeped into the coffin then quickly turned away with a guilty, sheepish look.
In side the coffin, tilted at the correct angle, was a mirror.
The members were the reason for the dead church.
Pray
Today’s message i’ll be taking about:
What is the Local New Testament Church?
What is Faithfulness?
Why is Church Attendance so, Important?
How do we get Church Growth?
How do we get Church Growth?
Church....We Have A Problem!
What is Faithfulness?
Why is Church Attendance so, Important?
How do we get Church Growth?
A. I plan on answering those four (4) questions today.
What is the Local New Testament Church?
What is Faithfulness?
Why is Church Attendance so, Important?
How do we get Church Growth?
Church....We Have A Problem!
I. What is the Local New Testament Church?
I. What is the Local New Testament Church?
What is Faithfulness?
I. What is the Local New Testament Church?
I. What is the Local New Testament Church?
To understand what is the Local New Testament Church,
You must first understand,
Who formed the Local New Testament Church.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18
Jesus is saying, that He is the Rock or the foundation of the church.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Local New Testament Church.
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
E
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
1 Corinthians
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
John 15:
b. We are to build upon that foundation using Jesus Christ as the corner stone.
2 Peter 1:
c. We are to build up that foundation.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
1 Peter 2:
Now we know who formed the Local New Testament Church.
Ephesians 2:19-
C. We can do nothing without the Lord Jesus Christ help!
C. We can do nothing without the Lord Jesus Christ help!
c. We can do nothing without the Lord Jesus Christ help!
Now we know who formed the church so, what is a Church?
The question is,
?
What is the Local New Testament Church?,
Now we know who formed the church so, what is a Church?
The answer is,
The Local New Testament Church is,
The born again believers.
It’s not this building.
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
This Building is just a place, we me to have church.
4. The Local New Testament Church is simply,
27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
A body or group of men and women,
Who have been saved,
Gather together to worship the Lord.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
II. What is Faithfulness?
II. What is Faithfulness?
i Corinthians 12
4. The Apostle Paul, uses the human body to best describe the church.
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1 Corinthians 12:14-
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
5. We are one body with different functions within the church.
1 Corinthians 12:14-
II. What is Faithfulness?
II. What is Faithfulness?
Faithfulness is the quality of stable dependability and devotion to whatever one is bound to by pledge, obligation, or duty
When you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal saviour you made a pledge of a sort.
Faithfulness is the quality of stable dependability and devotion to whatever one is bound to by pledge, obligation, or duty/repsonsibility.
Some synonyms of Faithfulness:
Loyal
True
Trusted
Reliable
Steadfast
b. When you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal saviour you made a pledge of a sort to Him.
You asked Him into your heart,
You repented of your sins,
And you pledge yourself to Him, and broke away from this world.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians
c. When you accepted the Lord Jesus as your personal savior, you made a obligation to him.
To worship Him,
To witness for Him, (The Great Commission)
To witness for Him,
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
iii. To set an example of Him.
To set an example of Him.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1 Peter
iv. We are to be in a since His hand’s and feet on earth until He returns.
v. We are to be in a since His hand’s and feet on earth until He returns.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
c. When you became a member of this church, you have a Duty/Responsibility to work together to help it grow.
d. When you became a member of this church, you have a Duty or Responsibility to help it grow.
The Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul used the example of the human body to describe the church member and there duties or responsibilities.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
d. You have the duty or responsibility to:
Attend Church regularly,
Pray for the church,
Worship Services,
Pray for the churchAttend Church regularly,
Attend Church regularly,
Ministries,
Not when it’s just a holiday; such as,
Thanksgiving,
Christmas,
Easter,
Mother’s Day.
Activities,
Not when we have a special event; such as,
Revivals
Singing’s.
Not when we have a fellowship Dinner.
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Romans
e. You have the duty or responsibility to:
Support the church;
Stewardship,
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:12-
Tithing,
Taking care of the churches needs,
Taking care of God’s property the church.
That’s what Stewardship means.
Draw others to the church;
Draw others to the church,
Visitation,
Witnessing.
Guard the good name of the church,
Defending our Doctrine,
Our Beliefs,
Our Church,
Your Pastor,
Other workers and Members of the church.
Stand by your pastor;
Pray for him,
Help him when he needs your help,
Support him.
Etc.
III. Why is Church Attendance so, Important?
III. Why is Church Attendance so, Important?
The Bible tells us;
I’s what we should do.
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
2. You have to opportunity to worship God.
3. The preaching of the Bible will help set direction for your life.
The preaching of the Bible will help set direction for your life.
4. Attending church is a sign of discipleship.
5. Attending church encourages your walk with God.
6. If you have children attending church,
Will teach them to value,
God and His church.
7. Attending church is an opportunity to introduce a friend who does’t know Christ.
8. Attending church honors God.
9. Attending church regular reminders of what Jesus Christ has done for us.
10. Attending church teaches us how to live and work for God.
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Ephesians 4:
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph
IV. How do we Get Church Growth?
IV. How do we Get Church Growth?
By using Jesus Christ as our foundation.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians
Without Jesus Christ we can do nothing.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:
Use Chart A.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:
By being Faithful,
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Cor
V. Church We Have A Problem!!!!
V. Church We Have A Problem!!!!
Use chart A.
Use Chart A.
V. Church... We Have A Problem!!!!
V. Church... We Have A Problem!!!!
In 1970 the crew of the Apollo 13 moon flight, encountered a major problem. A few of us here today probably remember this event. An on-board explosion deprived their spacecraft of most of it’s oxygen supply and electrical power.
Astronaut Jim Lovell radioed Houston base these famous words, “Houston, we’ve had a problem here.” most people miss quote this as “Houston we have a problem.”
Church… Church We have A Problem.
Use Chart B.