Take Advantage of the Church

How to Transform Your Life

1. Break bad relationships – 2 Corinthians 6:17

2. Strengthen Godly relationships – Acts 2:44,46

3. Flood your mind with God’s word – Matthew 5:6; 2 Peter 1:3

4. Trust God enough to obey Him – Matthew 7:24-27

5. Take advantage of the church – Act 8:30-31; Hebrews 13:17

The Essence of the Church is the Administration God’s Salvation

God’s complete work of salvation is executed through the church. Ephesians 3:9-11

The revealing and execution of this “church plan” is consistent with the eternal purpose of God. This purpose is no longer just a plan to be realized at a later date. In the cross of Christ, God’s eternal plan of salvation has been realized. The church lets all the world see that plan accomplished and in action.

- Max Anders

God Organized and Christ Facilitated the Church

Ephesians 4:11

Ephesians 4:11 NASB95

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

Building upon Christ the chief cornerstone, the apostles and prophets make up the foundation of the church.

The Evangelist, Pastors, and Teachers are all administrators of the word of God.

Romans 10:14-15

Romans 10:14–15 NASB95

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Romans 10:17

Romans 10:17 NASB95

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Take Advantage of the (Real) Church

The church is your resource for truth.

The Vision and Mission of the Point of Life Church states:

Our VISION is to be a church where anyone can come without fear of reproach or criticism to learn about Christ and His salvation.

Our MISSION is to seek out those in our community who desire to know God, and to offer ourselves as a resource of truth by sharing the gospel with them through both word and deeds.

The calling and sending of Phillip as an evangelist.

PHILIP THE EVANGELIST A deacon chosen to oversee the distribution to the poor (Acts 6:5). One of the first Christians to preach the gospel outside Jerusalem.

Following the scattering of the church from Jerusalem under the fierce persecution of Saul, Phillip had fled to Samaria where he ministered to large crowds.

Now, God had called and sent him to minister to just one individual, a eunuch from Ethiopia who had come all the way to Jerusalem to worship God.

Phillip met him on his way home.

Here in this narrative we have the basic universal need of a lost world who lives in spiritual darkness and that is in desperate need of revelation.

Acts 8:30–31

Acts 8:30–31 NASB95

Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

He is studying and reading the Bible

He lacks understanding

He needs one capable of leading him to understanding.

God declares in His word that He will be found by those who search for Him with all their heart.

The Bible discloses the church to be the pillar and the ground of the truth. It is the means of a seeking world to find God and the truth concerning Him, mankind, and the eternal future.

The revelation of truth is administered through the church.

Practical Application: Go to church!

Part II

Look at the Pillars of Salvation

Atonement - Propitiation - Justification - Sanctification - Glorification

The church is the means given by God through Christ of administrating each of these facets