2021- Together we grow

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2021- In Unity we grow!

2020 will be year many do not forget and may we look at 2021 as a year for many to remember in the building up, growing of the Lord’s Church
2019 - Simply Christians
Focused on the unity of the believers by identifying as “simply Christians studying God’s word” and it takes away denominational arguments when the word is the central point
2020 - Together we can
This was a different year wasn’t it. March on changed everything but yet we stayed unified by God’s Word so we added in “living God’s word”
We had to get creative and try different ways to be unified together in body and spirit when we could not all be together because of Covid-19
We ended the year with a new, renewed look at discipleship it’s for me and for you that is rolling over into 2021, so we can continue to grow.
2021 - Together we grow (in unity)
Christ over all things to the church (the body) Eph1:22-23
Ephesians 1:22–23 NASB95
22 And He put all things in subjection 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.
Together we grow; grow in unity when we know we are the body, when we know we are the fullness of Him who fills all in all. WE ARE THE FULLNESS!
Gifts given for the equipping of the body (Eph4:11-12)
Christ, in birthing the body through the Holy Spirit gave gifts, gifts to men and for men.
Ephesians 4:11–12 NASB95
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
Gave them with a purpose:
For the equipping
For the works of service (ministry)
To the building of the body (the church)
But wait there is more
Gifts given with purpose, to bring unity and maturity (Eph4:13-14)
Ephesians 4:13–14 NASB95
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
Equipping to bring unity of faith
Equipping to bring knowledge
Equipping to mature to the fullness of Christ
Purposed so no longer children, no longer able to be deceived by the craftiness, deceitful scheming of men.
2021 Aim: Through collective study of God’s word for application of Gods word so can grow in maturity as disciples of Jesus Christ who makes disciples for Jesus Christ.
(Transition) so, welcome to 2021 may we all choose to strive together for the unity of the faith to the fullness of Christ Jesus and His body, the church. As we continue tonight I want us to look at a subject, the description of a strong man, well, a strong Christian. The measure of a strong christian if you may.
Would ask you to think to consider how do we measure a Christian, child, mature? Do we see things like God does?
God’s measure of a man (1Sam16:6-7)
1 Samuel 16:6–7 NASB95
6 When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
So, what does God look at? He looks at the heart.
The same should hold true today, but oftentimes is not, and I have to admit I can be guilty of that myself. So a couple of things we can look at tonight to help us identify and to learn about the true measure of a Christian.
How do we consider/measure one another?
How does God measure so we can learn how we should measure.

Man’s measure often used

Oftentimes we measure things by the things we see, the things we assume.
What is the measure of a man?
How about what is the measure of a Christian?
By Attendance
Attendance in services, do we measure by all the services they attend to judge of they are a strong Christian?
By Participation
Participation do we look at and examine what someone is involved in such as Bible classes, small groups
Willing to get involved in special events etc.
How about church work days?
Visitations or hospitality having people into their home?
By Leadership
Is someone a strong Christian if they lead singing, prayers, do supper talks or serve the table?
Attendance to men’s meetings, or better yet prayer meetings
Do we judge by willingness to teach a class or preach an occasional sermon?
Woman’s ability, teach, prepare
Willingness to teach a children’s class, or to help in the cry room during services when needed
Willingness to help in keeping our building looking good, cleaning, decorating and the like.
(Insert - Problem picture here)
There is a problem with that measure, we have already looked at the fact that God does not look at the outside but the inside at the heart
(below not on slide; just quote v.7)
1 Samuel 16:6–7 NASB95
6 When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Problem: We tend to measure the outside
Looking at the outside does not always reflect the inside, the heart
And even if people are doing all the right things, does not mean the inside, the heart is right either.
Problem: this creates hypocrites
Looking at the outside is like the Pharisee’s did and judged people and when we are judging people by the outside it is normally comparing them to someone else, including maybe yourself, or using them as an excuse for yourself
Problem: by this measure there is no encouragement for spiritual growth
Problem: This is contrary to other scripture about gifts and functions within the body and putting one thing over another. (See Rom12:3-8)
Romans 12:3–4 NASB95
3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,
Romans 12:5–6 NASB95
5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
Romans 12:7–8 NASB95
7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Paul tries to help prevent or to cure the problem
Do not think more highly of yourself (v.3)
We are one body with many functions (v.4-5)
Many gifts, use your gift (vv.6-8)
Love without hypocrisy, abhor evil, cling to good and be devoted to one another (vv.9-10)
James does too (Jm4:11-12)
(Transition) Because of these tendencies (and I am guilty of these at times; just being honest) we have the potential of misjudging and even condemning someone , and well, that would be against scripture
James 4:11–12 NASB95
11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?
(expand on above briefly)
(Transition) - we have looked at the measure of a man, the way most measure a Christian (again stepping on y own toes here). We have looked at the problem and a little about the solution, but now let’s see what the scripture says about a strong Christian.

God’s measure of a strong Christian

We have looked at some truths that maybe a little hard to swallow, but now let’s look at the real truth, how God looks at the measure of a Christian, as found in the scriptures.
Spiritual truth within will be shown (Gal5:22-23; Gal6:1-2)
Galatians 5:22–23 NASB95
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
The evidence of the spiritual man is seen in the fruit of the spirit in the life of the believer.
One way it will be seen is by being willing to be there for one another
Galatians 6:1–2 NASB95
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Spiritual truth the inner man will impact the outer man (Col3:12-17)
Colossians 3:12–13 NASB95
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Colossians 3:14–15 NASB95
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:16–17 NASB95
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
By putting on such things as
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness
Put on love the perfect bond of unity
Your actions, because of Christ in you will demonstrate your love to the Father through Jesus Christ.
Spiritual truths to consider regarding members
Preachers (1Tim6:11-12, 2Tim2:22-25)
A preacher can preach a good sermon, but what about the personal life?
1 Timothy 6:11 NASB95
11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
and more words
2 Timothy 2:22 NASB95
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
God looks at the personal life, sometimes the somewhat hidden life of a preacher, or a man of God.
Is the preacher, by demonstration willing to contend for the faith, and in doing such do it with the right heart?
1 Timothy 6:12 NASB95
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
and back to 2Tim again.
2 Timothy 2:23–24 NASB95
23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
2 Timothy 2:25 NASB95
25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
Elders/Shepherds/Pastors/Overseer’s/Bishops (Tit1:7-9)
while we may not have men in this role right now, one day we will again and scripture says to look at:
Titus 1:5–6 NASB95
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.
Do the men being considered live above reproach?
How about this
Titus 1:7–8 NASB95
7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,
Titus 1:9 NASB95
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Are they quick to anger, reluctant to teach others as well as correct others fully equipped with sound doctrine?
Now this is not to be a message on eldership. We will one day get into many lessons on that, just not today.
Members young and old alike (Tit2:1-8)
Member young and old alike and they be may attending services faithfully, regularly, but is their conduct becoming of their stage of life (young, old)
Titus 2:1–2 NASB95
1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
Titus 2:3–4 NASB95
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
Titus 2:5–6 NASB95
5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. 6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;
Titus 2:6–7 NASB95
6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,
Titus 2:8 NASB95
8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
There are great instructions that would be evident in the life of a Christian!
In our words and doctrine (v.1)
In our actions (v.2-6)
In our example (v.7-8)
(Transition): The scripture view, God’s view focuses on the inside that then will transform the outside. Now some of the things are things only God see’s and He see’s the heart of the matter, He see’s your heart. There is no fooling God, he knows, we may put up a front and try to fool man, but God knows the truth
This looking at the measure of a man, of a Christian is not to be tools to judge except to look internally at ourselves and the measure we used to judge people.
2021- Together we grow in unity!
And it starts with me! It starts within!
(song) (Prayer) (Exit)
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