The Gift of a Christ Filled Church

Intro

Royals - 2014, run in the post-season, at Baltimore Oriels, hear the KC distinct “Let’s go Royals”

2017 Royals - Tampa Bay Rays…probably more Royals fans than Rays fans…and the same applied, “Let’s go Royals” was clearly heard through the broadcast.

Chiefs - loudest stadium in the NFL, and if you want to get the crowd ignited, have the opposing quarterback come onto the field and then cover the earholes on his helmet because he can’t hear and watch the offense go into total confusion.

Kansas City fans are known to support their teams, and when they come to one place, their voices fill the stadium with their favorite chat. And while it’s exciting to think about, we need to turn our attention the excitement of what Christ has done for us.

After his death, burial, resurection, and appearing…Jesus gave his disciples one last commend to be witnesses everywhere they went…and then ascended to his rightful place of authority…right next to God the Father.

Then the Holy Spirit came as a gift to all Christ-followers empowering us with gifts and abilities to advance God’s kingdom throughout the earth.

And thus, he has filled all things…namely the Church…NOT A CHURCH…but THE Church. And with that gift, he gave us three benefits of his filling.

Body - Three Benefits of THE Christ-Filled Church

Gifted People - 4 Gifted People

The Apostle

Then. Two qualification: 1) He must have witness Jesus, 2) He must have been appointed by Jesus. The 12 Disciples..now the 12 Apostles. After Judas betrayed Jesus then killed himself, the earlier believers had to replace him and these two standards. Now while Matthias, the replacement, was not directly appointed by Jesus, he was a witness of his resurrection and after they prayed; it was evident that he was chosen by Jesus.

He must have witness Jesus

He must have been appointed by Jesus. The 12 Disciples..now the 12 Apostles.

Now - The church really does not have the specific Apostles, but we do have people who are sent, commission by the church to go and proclaim the death, burial, and resurrection.

IMB

NAMB

The Prophet -

Proclaims the the Word of God. This is how the early church recieved instruction from the Lord - through prophets. Not those who predict the future, but those who proclaim the word.

While we don’t have or need a prophet today, because we have the Holy Spirit and the written word of God…we do have people who have a portion of this gift. They have a unique ability to analyze scripture, and state what must be done in obedience to scripture.

The Evangelist

We know these people as those who travel to preach the Gospel from place to place. In our day, we know them by name: Billy Graham is one. While he was not the greatest preacher of all time…God gifted this man to preach Jesus, extend an invitation to receive him, and then see a great response of people accepting Jesus.

The person, evangelist, is a gift to the church. But I do not believe their is a gift of evangelism…that is an expectation of all believers.

The Pastor/Teacher - two in one!

Pastor/Teacher - Shepherd. Someone who care, protects, and leads the flock of God.

Check out our Web-site for Last weeks sermon from Gregg on the Pastor

Gifted Process

Gifted Process

Equip the Saints

Apollos (Acts 18) - who was only familiar with the baptism of John the Baptist…so he was only partially prepared. When Pricilla and Aquila heard him, they pulled him aside and fully taught him, and re-lauched him to do great things.

Sending School of Tyrannus (). Reasoned with the disciples and all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jew and Greek”

Illus: Backpacking - Equip our boys with skills that will allow them to survive on their own, be independent, brave, leaders, etc.

To Work - The work of ministry

Illus: Movie: A Few Good Men. Scene where they were training soldiers to exit a helicopter quickly and likely taking enemy fire.

Lt. Col says to his SGMaj - “Pretty good, huh?” “There’s just one thing missing”.

When the next helo lands, he slaps his hand on a soldiers chest and says, ‘your dead…what do you do...’

The scene continues where the men are challenged, “you learn the job of the person in front of you...”

Attendance doesn’t replace participation. It is our responsibility to equip others to do our job. This is out the church reproducing itself over and over and continues to grow and spread. Win poeple to Jesus…Equip them, Release them to work.

A few can’t do it all…even though we try

It’s not sustainable

To Build Up

There are several church-growth movements and ideas.

What’s wrong with this one? Equip people…to work ministry, release them…then observe the church being built up

Like a house - foundation (apostles and prophets), and now with evangelist and teachers we see the house being built up with believers ready to work and continue building.

Gifted Purpose

To Unite…unity in two areas

Unity of faith ()

Unity of the knowledge of the son of God

Not saving knowledge

But correct knowledge.

Lifelong pursuit

of Personal study and devotion

To Mature - Growth chart

Manhood - related to unity among the Jews and Gentiles in the church (). True growth is understanding the abolishment of groups, cliques, favorites, preferences, so that we could be complete.

Fullness of Christ - Full maturity of Christ One a scale of 1 - 10 (10 being mature…1 immature)…where are you?

In terms of following Jesus, how can I take my (6) and make it a (7)?

In terms of helping other belong to God’s family....what must I do to take my (6) and make it a (7)?What must I do today be help others belong to God’s family?

To Grow through Love

In terms of Caring for my Community, how can I take my (6) and make it a (7)?

Conclusion