Elements 1.4
Notes
Transcript
Handout
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Focus Element: To see God do the miraculous in our community, we MUST become established and grounded within the local body of believers.
Your church must become MY church.
Their church must become OUR church.
My Pastor.
My Leaders.
My Brothers and Sisters.
MINE!
OURS!
Question:
Do you see yourself as a leader or more of a follower?
What are some benefits of belonging to a community? Are there drawbacks?
God is a relational God.
Everything we know of God is him connecting to us one way or the other.
Being alone in NOT a part of our nature -
We all have been given gifts (and will be given gifts) that are ment to be used for the body of Christ!
Text: Conflict in the early church
Cultural and racial conflict
What we are dealing with today is NOT new...
Answer - men filled with the Holy Ghost and wisdom!
Where there is people, there will be conflict!
But because Jesus became our mediator and peace keeper, so should we be!
As the church grows, so does diversity!
That means there will be more people who think differently that you do!
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY.
Being part of a church community is an essential element of our spiritual formation. When we are part of such a community, we are grounded in faith and enriched by the relationships built among our church family.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Where did the disciples preach and teach?
Why do you think the apostles taught not only in the Temple, but also in individual homes?
How does being part of something counteract some of the negative influences of our culture today?
There is a spirit that is at work that wants to isolate you and keep you from the People and House of God!
CHURCH ATTENDANCE IS CRITICAL TO YOUR SURVIVAL!
2. THE PRIVILEGES OF JOINING THE BODY OF CHRIST.
When God transforms our lives, we are baptized into the body of Christ, the church. This group of believers, both in our local church and globally, functions like a family and blesses us with love and support.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
When we are baptized, we are baptized into what? (v13)
Why do you think different groups of people are mentioned being part of the body? (v13)
In verse 13 Paul used a metaphor of drinking the Spirit. How might you envision this with application to your own life?
When we are filled with the Holy Ghost, we are NOT left alone to figure it out...
We are put in a family for a reason!
So that we can grow up in the perfect environment!
Broken homes produce physically broken individuals.
Broken churches produce spiritually broken individuals.
WHOLE, WELL BALANCED HOMES PRODUCE WHOLE WELL BALANCED INDIVIDUALS
WHOLE, WELL BALANCED CHURCHES PRODUCE WHOLE WELL BALANCED INDIVIDUALS
What you see in the physical is a reflection of what is taking place in the spritual!
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
This is why, CHURCH ATTENDANCE IS CRITICAL TO YOUR SURVIVAL!
You don’t leave a new born out unattended…
It don’t matter if it’s a physical baby or a spiritual baby!
You need momma!
You need the church!
No matter how old you get, you still need your mom!
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
3. USING OUR INDIVIDUAL GIFTS IN THE BODY
Each member of the body has received gifts from God, uniquely designed to serve the kingdom of God. As we reflect on how God has equipped us, we find new opportunities to use our gifts in His service.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
What does Paul mean that members have not the same office? (v4)
Paul writes that we are not many members, yet one what? (v5)
My maturity depends on YOU!
Do you have abilities, talents, or interests that could be used in service tot he kingdom of God?
Many people have a problem accepting what God has placed in them...
God does not call the equipped, rather he equips the called!
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Stop worrying about the calling and focus on the equipping!
4. THE GUIDANCE OF THE PASTOR
God provides a pastor to serve the local assembly. Pastors care for the church with guidance from the Scripture, provide direction for spiritual growth, warn of spritual dangers, and are available in time of need.
15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
God gives us what? (Jer 3)
What shall that person feed the individual? (Jer 3)
Pastors should be what tot he flock? (1 Pet)
Pastoring = shepherding
Caring for, leading, providing sustenance, protection from predators, tending to the sick and hurt, warn, are examples.
Great leaders will also be great examples!
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
CLOSING DISCUSION
Why do you think God has given diverse gifts to each person?
Share your thoughts on elements that are essential to being part of the body of Christ.
First Peter commands us to humble ourselves. Why is this important?
Most important element?
Come to church!
Biggest part of the battle is won when you come to church!
Church attendance is critical to your survival!