Welcome

Thanks - open-air. Again? Apologies about the sun.

Members meeting today

2 Cor. 3.4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.

Are you a Christian full of confidence in Christ?

SW: Whatever we may think about it, we are no better than our faith.

Paul says God has made us sufficient. We are very bold.

Our purpose in gathering is that believers will be strong, confident, bold

The Greatest Institution on Planet Earth!

Matthew 16:18 ESV

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

I will build my ekklesia [eck-clay-ziah] - church.

I am proud to be a part of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ,

king of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Who loves us with an everlasting love

Gave His life for us on a cross to bring us forgiveness of sins

has numbered every hair on our head

knows when a sparrow falls to the ground

says “I go to prepare a place for you.”

Many others are calling for our allegiance today. Movements, clubs, associations.

Mamon is calling

PC groups

God of pleasure and leisure are calling

God of entertainment is calling

You and I need to daily answer the call to Jesus who says “Come and follow me.”

Come be a part of the Greatest Institution on earth

The UN will fade away

Canada will fade away

The Commonwealth will fade away

Every power, kingdom will fade but the church of Jesus will remain.

We will reign with Him throughout all eternity

What is the church?

church = ekklesia: called out ones.

men and women who are called out of the corrupt world system with all its vices, wickedness, corruption, hatred; repented of their sins, believed the gospel, born-again by the Spirit of the Living God and are living in obedience to God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV

1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

The church today is universal - every country, tribe, people groups, languages,

meet in large, beautiful cathedrals with stained glass windows, in regular sanctuary, in houses, in huts, under a tree somewhere, or in a barn.

The word church is used incorrectly by us:

we point to a building - that’s my church

a denomination - PHCC, AOG, FG

Scripture:

The universal church, the body of Christ world over

The local body of believers.

Jesus helps us to understand the nature of the church by using various symbols.

1. The Bride of Christ

Ephesians 5:25–27 ESV

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

The church is the bride and wife of Christ.

We marry out of love.

Jesus loves the church.

don’t speak evil of the church.

It is not perfect but be careful how you speak of a man’s wife!

He gave His life for the church!

He is building His church!

He is working on the church to sanctify it, purify it

He wants to present a glorious church to Himself

Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle

washed in the blood of the Lamb

That she might be holy and without blemish.

This symbol speaks to the undying love and devotion of the Lord Jesus to His people.

His commitment to people

His faithfulness to us

Bride: He loves the church.

He is returning for the Bride!

2. The Body of Christ.

Ephesians 1:22–23 ESV

22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

This symbol teaches us two truths:

Jesus is the head

There is only one head of the church - not the archbishop, general supt, not the Pope.

I am a local pastor, a shepherd. But I serve as an under-shepherd, under the auspices of the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am subject to the head of the PHCC and ultimately to Christ Himself.

There is only one church

The church is not millions of bodies - it is one body.

Jesus does not have a white church, black church, Spanish church, West Indian church.

there are many different congregations

We are all one in Christ!

The church is united

1 Corinthians 12:12 ESV

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:25 ESV

25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

We must strongly protect the unity of the church.

Mark those who cause divisions among you.

Refrain from gossip

If there is problem, the Lord Jesus gave us protocol

Matthew 18:15–17 ESV

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Don’t air your dirty laundry on Facebook.

The church is active

NIV: 1 Cor. 12.

14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

what’s your role in the church?

What have you been doing as a believer?

Bro Ray - I will mow the lawn

Set up chairs

Sanitize rails

Assist in Children’s church

Call a few young believers and pray, encourage them

Invite my friends to church

3. A building

Paul says not only are we a bride, a body but also

we are a building

Ephesians 2:19–20 ESV

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Cornerstone:

Refers to the first and most important stone laid in a new building

The proper placement of a cornerstone ensured a straight and level foundation

Foundation: Apostles and prophets

Bricks: You and I. 1 Peter 2.5:

English Standard Version Chapter 2

you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house,

Who lives in this building?

Ephesians 2:21–22 ESV

21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

This symbol highlights two important truths

We cannot deviate from the teaching of the Apostles and prophets

we cannot deviate from the Lord Jesus

God wants to inhabit the church by the HS.

When we gather together, we must anticipate the powerful presence of the HS

We must worship as if He is right here bc He is here!

Yearn for His Presence, Expect Him to move, to refresh and revive us.

Church is not church when the Presence of God is absent.

What do we have to offer the world - not entertainment, music, flashing lights, inspirational self-help or motivational speeches.

He comes when we gather to Worship God!

4. The Branch

One of the most precious portions of Scripture!

John 15:1–2 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:4–7 ESV

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Jesus is the vine

The Father, the vinedresser or the gardener.

We are the branches.

The lessons we learn:

Intimacy with God

We must abide in Jesus, stay connected to Him

We must pursue a deep, strong, intimate relationship with Jesus Himself.

You are not a Christian if you don’t have a relationship with Jesus

In fact, you may want to ask the question - have I been cut off? as in v 6

The joy of the believer is in His intimate connection with heaven.

Fruitfulness

God expects us to be fruitful.

What’s going on in your life? What are you doing in the KOG?

What is the mission of the church?

Matthew 28:18–19 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

As we gather together in the house of God and later review reports, have some deliberations, let us not take our eyes off the mission

Mission Statement: Worship God. Win the Lost. Nourish the Found.

What role are you playing to win the lost?

When last did you invite someone to church?

Gave a tract to someone?

Prayed for an unbeliever?

Shared your testimony with someone?

Shared a MV on your Whatsapp /FB /IG page?

Explained the gospel to someone?

Many of our pursuits on earth and achievements will fade away.

God will reward those who live for Him and do His mission.

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

Will He say that of you?