The Broad and The Narrow Way
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The Wide and the Narrow
The Wide and the Narrow
Sermon in a nutshell.
The church is God’s witness to the world. Under God’s guidance, Paul established local churches to bear witness. The presence of a local church is a necessary witness to the saving Grace of God through Christ Jesus.
One dead battery can stop a car.
The list can go on and on.
A few weeks back my comment of prioritizing community ministry caused confusion. Community ministry means just what it says.
I don’t believe the confusion was based on a lack of understanding what community ministry means. I think the confusion came from where Community begins.
Ministry is a person or thing through which something is accomplished merriam-webster
Community: a unified body of individuals: such as
a: the people with common interests living in a particular areabroadly : the area itself the problems of a large community
b: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society a community of retired personsa monastic community
c: a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society the academic communitythe scientific community
d: a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests the international community
e: a group linked by a common policy
f: an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (such as species) in a common location
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Matthew places this warning at the end of a long list of do’s and don’ts that follow the sermon on the mount. The sermon itself illustrates how God’s blessings come.
Quotes priorities & Rehabilitation
Quotes priorities & Rehabilitation
Quote: "In order to effectively minister, church leaders must establish priorities for their work. We must first be committed to Christ, then to one another in Christ, and finally to the work of Christ in the world." Ray Ortland
Quote: "In order to effectively minister, church leaders must establish priorities for their work. We must first be committed to Christ, then to one another in Christ, and finally to the work of Christ in the world." Ray Ortland
"In order to effectively minister, church leaders must establish priorities for their work. We must first be committed to Christ, then to one another in Christ, and finally to the work of Christ in the world."
Quote: “Rehabilitation means the putting back of the whole human race into the relationship God designed it to be in, and this is what Jesus Christ did in Redemption. The Church ceases to be a spiritual society when it is on the look-out for the development of its own organization. The rehabilitation of the human race on Jesus Christ’s plan means the realization of Jesus Christ in corporate life as well as in individual life. Oswald Chambers
Oswald Chambers
Follow the Bible
Follow the Bible
God calls us to begin where we are and work out. The same is true for the church. Prior to the beginning of the church on pentecost, Jesus
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Jerusalem was their location. Yet, pentecost actually began at the feet of Jesus. The group of faithful were united in Christ. The togetherness precipitated the ministry.
Love, grace, & church discipline have also been hot topics in the past.
The early church acted in caring for their own. They were known by their love.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
There are numerous ways to organize a local church, but none can replace the love that comes from being disciples of Jesus Christ.
There are numerous strategies on how to effectively lead a church. Over the years we have implemented a number of them. “Bring people in Build them up and Send them out.” The Three priorities of the church. The Sonlife Strategy. The Purpose Driven Church, to name a few.
Today I want to add a wrinkle into an approach to church strategy and organization. The goal is to renew an appreciation for the mission of organized local church ministry.
This morning I am going to emphasize the priority of ministering through the local church. For some this may sound restrictive, but let’s look at some Bible texts.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Matthew places this warning at the end of a long list of do’s and don’ts that follow the sermon on the mount. The sermon itself illustrates how God’s blessings come.
In God’s hand Narrow becomes Wide and Small becomes big
In God’s hand Narrow becomes Wide and Small becomes big
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
God created one man that became a nation
God created one man that became a nation
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
God called Abram and promised to make a great nation through him.
God called Abram and promised to make a great nation through him.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
Joseph suffered for the good of his family
Joseph suffered for the good of his family
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.
God called Moses to lead Israel out of bondage
God called Moses to lead Israel out of bondage
So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of Israel.
Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of Israel.
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,
so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
John the Baptist
And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of Israel.
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
The church started small.
The church started small.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:1-
Apostle Paul: Sent to the Gentiles
Apostle Paul: Sent to the Gentiles
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
This church plant has recently
So, where do we begin?
We begin with the Official Board.
Community Ministry:
Identify new to the church community ministries in which our members are already involved. Gives us a starting point.
Ryan and Rylee Parry: Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Melissa Morrison: Victoria’s Virtues
Belinda Stroebel: Alpha Omega Center
Following Scripture supports a ministry that begins narrow and expands with time.
So, putting order to community ministry.
Our church is lead by the Official Board. The Official Board consists of men and women who have been nominated and recieved a majority vote of the the Calvary membership.
Prayer
The Elder and Trustee boards make up the Official Board. So, community ministry taking place within the church community and beyond needs to go through them.
Within the church community both the Elders and trustees have oversight over the spiritual and physical.
Elders maintain the scriptural government of the Congregation. Anyone gifted or wanting to assist the Elders needs to contact them.
Trustees are primarily manage the temporal affairs of the church. Anyone gifted or wanted to assist the trustees needs to contact them.
Churches have a long standing reputation of lacking a unified direction. Much of the confusion comes from a failure of communication.
We lack in the area of ah ha moments within the church. Direction (vision) can be confusing. Direction can be clearly communicated but not clearly recieved. Point is, we must never tire of working on improved communication.
Narrow and Broad way -
When troubleshooting an engine you go to the very basics. Does the engine have ignition, gas, proper gas air mix, is there compression, and is it timed correctly.
When it comes to the working of the church what are the basics needs?
Eph
The Assembly of Believers
The Assembly of Believers
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God created one man not a nation
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Genesis
Abram
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
Genesis 12:1-
Joseph
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.
Gen 45:4-
Moses
So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
THE END!
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Matthew places this warning at the end of a long list of do’s and don’ts that follow the sermon on the mount. The sermon itself illustrates how God’s blessings come.
Quotes priorities & Rehabilitation
Quotes priorities & Rehabilitation
Quote: "In order to effectively minister, church leaders must establish priorities for their work. We must first be committed to Christ, then to one another in Christ, and finally to the work of Christ in the world." Ray Ortland
Quote: “Rehabilitation means the putting back of the whole human race into the relationship God designed it to be in, and this is what Jesus Christ did in Redemption. The Church ceases to be a spiritual society when it is on the look-out for the development of its own organization. The rehabilitation of the human race on Jesus Christ’s plan means the realization of Jesus Christ in corporate life as well as in individual life. Oswald Chambers
The gospels:
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Matt 1:
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,
Mark
so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
John the Baptist
Luke
And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:31-
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Reverend Fredericks:
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
Matthew 15:21-24
Twelve disciples
Apostle Paul: Sent to the Gentiles
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Eph 3:7-
Reverend Fredericks:
Pastor Sartel
Pastor Schlehr
Pastor Shay
God has used these men to lead this church.
Narrow and the broad
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Romans: Paid in Full
1 & 2 Cor Paul gives correction
Galatians You have been set free
Ephesians Fishing -
Philippians Joy in Partnership
Colossians Jesus is the commander and chief
1 & 2 Thess Stay on Target
1 & 2 Timothy Leadership manual
Titus Conduct
Philemon From bondage to Brotherhood
Hebrews from Milk to Meat
James Making faith strong
Peter suffering has a purpose
1 John Fellowship
Jude Fight fo the faith
Revelation what is to come
Creation: Narrow or broad?
A nation begins: Narrow or Broad?
Old Testament focus: Narrow or Broad?
New Testament Gospels: Narrow or broad?
So, what is our Jerusalem?