Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

What are Small Groups?

Small Groups are uncommon communities applying God’s truth in everyday life.

• Uncommon communities

Small Groups are uncommon communities applying God’s truth in everyday life.

• Uncommon communities

)

• Applying God’s truth ()

• In everyday life ()

• Applying God’s truth

)

• In everyday life ()

• In everyday life

SIX REASONS WHY WE ARE COMMITTED TO SMALL GROUPS

Small Groups are uncommon communities applying God’s truth in everyday life.

• Uncommon communities ()

• Applying God’s truth ()

• In everyday life ()

1.

Because they are biblical ()

2. Because they are the only ways to shepherd the whole flock (,)

3.

Because they encourage the use of spiritual gifts ()

4. Because they multiply competent ministers ()

5.

Because they foster biblical love ()

6.

Because they promote unity and fellowship (, )

1.

Because they are biblical ()

44 And all who believed were together...And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous

The EARLY CHURCH made disciples in the context of small groups.

I think at times we have a distorted perspective about the church.

It is not only this BIG gathering crowd, its believers meeting in SMALL groups as well.

Listen to the pattern in these passages:

1.

I think at times we get distorted about our perspective about the church

2. It is not only this BIG gathering crowd, its believers meeting in

SMALL groups as well

()

1.

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting

()

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ

()

12 [Peter] went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

()

20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house

That’s part of the biblical basis for SG’s, through which our walk with Christ is maintained and grows.

2. Because they are the only ways to shepherd the whole flock (,)

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

4:11 Paul’s description here of particular roles (or offices) in the Church resembles his description in , but includes additional roles and does not include others (see note on ).

These roles are for advancing God’s work in the world through the Church.

Apostles - Refers to those who are sent out by Christ to speak and act with special authority.

See note on ; note on .

Prophets - Refers to those who are designated by God to speak on His behalf.

See note on ; note on .

Evangelists - Refers to those who proclaim the truth of the gospel and call others to live by Jesus’ standards (compare ; ).

Pastors - Refers to those who care for, or protect, the Church.

Since the Greek word used here, poimēn, literally means “shepherd” and is often translated as such, this role corresponds with the New Testament portrayal of the Church as God’s flock (; ).

Teachers - Indicates those who faithfully pass on the teachings of Christ and the apostles, especially through explaining or applying Scripture (compare ).

Building up the body of Christ - Refers to strengthening the Church and helping it grow.

Building up the body of Christ - Refers to strengthening the Church and helping it grow.

The VISION for small group participation at Harvest Bible Chapel is that Ministry is PUSHED AWAY from primary leaders.

Why?

a. Ministry is PUSHED AWAY from primary leaders

1.

We want to equip the saints to do work of ministry, as opposed to doing the ministry ourselves

2. It’s like giving you the tools in my tool belt, trusting God to replace them, and you doing the same

3. Ministry is not just for pastors and elders!

3.

Because they encourage the use of spiritual gifts/ Mutual Ministry ()

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.

16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing?

If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?

18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.

19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts,[e] yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require.

But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Spiritual gifts are tools God gives Christians to do the work of the ministry -- to ful􀃒ll the Great

Commission to reach, baptize, and teach and to minister to one another.

Every Christian receives at least

one gift at the moment of salvation.

Spiritual gifts are not rewards, are not natural talents, are not a

place of service, are not an age-group ministry, and are not a specialty ministry.

They express

themselves through various ministries which, in turn, accomplish a variety of results.

A spiritual gift is the primary channel by which the Holy Spirit ministers the believer.

It is a supernatural

capacity for service to God -- and He gives you a supernatural desire to perform the duties of that gift.

Spiritual gifts are tools for building the church.

They are a source of joy in your Christian life and

influence your motives.

A spiritual gift is a divine calling with a divine responsibility, because what God

has gifted you to do, He has called you to do, and what He has called you to do, He has gifted you to do.

Mutual ministry is how Spiritual gifts are put into practice.

Mutual Ministry ()

• Mutual ministry is not just an element of Small Groups; it is the ethos or culture of the Small Group.