Covid19

How do we respond to what is happening?

Understand WE ARE THE CHURCH!

The church is not a building -

The church is not an event -

You are part of a family that has members in every tribe and every tongue - We are the church

When people say things like it is terrible that churches are closing down, or closing the doors to a building shows lack of Faith etc etc etc It makes me understand that we have reduced church in the minds of some people to an event or a meeting or a building.

We preach that the church is people and not a building yet some say church is closing down.

WE ARE CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Mission and Vision NEVER NEVER NEVER Changes.

Matthew 28:17–20 NIV

17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

mat 28:17-

The Delivery has to change in this season.

We have done every thing possible to keep our doors open this week end - why - Because WE ARE THE CHURCH!

I knew it was important - I know that this weekend for people is important.

We are the church if our meetings are in a location or online

We are the church if our meetings are in small groups or in stadiums of thousands

We are the church when we sit at home and watch the footy By the way Essendon won today, or singing worship songs together

We are the church.

I have cried with people this week over lost of meetings or the like,

The church is not closing it is changing

Let me show you what true church looks like.

3 stories from this week.

I have heard of a person sacrificing rolls of toilet paper for 80 year old neighbours who had ran out

WE ARE THE CHURCH

In the supermarket a living waters person took a banana leaving one and at the check out the lady had the last one but wanted more and this person gave her his

WE ARE THE CHURCH

We have had people scubbing and arrangeing and makeing hand sany

WE ARE THE CHURCH

I was over in Rushworth today making sure they were ok to do meetings and talking with a lady who need sanitiser (shop) but could get none so Gave her some of ours

WE ARE THE CHURCH

WE ARE NOT A MEETING - OR AN EVENT WE ARE THE CHURCH

Ambassadors for the Kingdom

2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV

20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

We speak on his behalf

We act on His behalf

We show this is Kingdom life!

WE ARE THE CHURCH

We act on His behalf

We show this is Kingdom life!

We are empowered to speak and declare and call into being

WE ARE THE CHURCH

We act on His behalf

We show this is Kingdom life!

We Pray

Philippians 4:6 NIV

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

WE ARE THE CHURCH

We Encourage

1 Thess

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

WE ARE THE CHURCH

We look after and Give

Mat

Matthew 5:16 NIV

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:42 NIV

42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

John 13:34–35 NIV

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Philippians 2:4 NIV

4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

WE ARE THE CHURCH