sf459 - The Marks Of A New Testament Church 3 Of 4 A Biblical Understanding Of Conversion Evangelism And Church Membership (Matthew 16 13-20)
Matthew 16:13-20
Introduction
The Marks of a New Testament Church:
1. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Theology
2. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Worship
3. A New Testament Church Will Preach the Word
4. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of the Gospel
5. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Conversion
6. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Evangelism
7. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Membership
8. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Discipline
9. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Leadership
10. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Growth
1A. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Conversion (John 3:1-8)
1B. Why is the New Birth Needed?
Because of the nature of man
Ø Nicodemus was a good man (3:1)
Ø Nicodemus was a sincere man (3:2)
Ø Nicodemus was a lost man (3:3)
We are “by nature children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3).
Because of the nature of the new birth
Ø We are slaves who must change masters; we must cease from being slaves of sin and become slaves of God (Romans 6:17-23).
Ø We must die with Christ and be raised to newness of life (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:12).
Ø We must put off the old man and put on the new man created after the likeness of God (Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10).
Ø We must repent, that is, we must experience a change of mind that causes us to turn from trusting man to trusting God's mercy (Acts 2:38; Luke 3:3, 8).
Ø We must receive a new heart according to Ezekiel's prophecy: (Ezekiel 11:19)
Ø We must become a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Ø We must become like children. (Matthew 18:3)
Ø From cover to cover the Bible declares that human beings must change.
2B. What is the New Birth?
The new birth is spiritual, not physical (3:4-6)
Ø Jesus is saying here that your human birth merely makes you human.
The new birth is supernatural not natural (3:7-13)
Ø A fundamental change must take place in the sinner’s heart (John 3:7)
Ø The new birth operates independent of man’s control (3:8)
Ø God both initiates and completes salvation. (John 6:44, 64-65, 1;12-13)
Ø Regeneration (new birth) always results in repentance and faith (Acts 2:37-38)
3B. Six biblical truths concerning conversion…
1. Man must repent and believe in order to be saved. (Acts 16:30-31)
2. Every one who repents and believes the gospel will be saved. (John 6:37)
3. Man must personally, knowingly, and willingly repent of his sin and place his faith in Christ. (Luke 13:3).
4. Man in his natural lost condition will not and indeed cannot repent and believe. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
5. God in His grace must change man through regeneration before man can and will repent and believe. (Titus 3:4-7)
6. Faith and repentance are the evidences, not the cause, of regeneration. (John 3:3; Acts 16:14)
2A. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Evangelism (Acts 1:8)
1B. The People of Evangelism
You! – Every believer is to be an evangelist
Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
2B The Power for Evangelism
The Holy Spirit – He alone can empower us and change hearts.
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
3B. The Plan for Evangelism
Be Witnesses to Me
Evangelism is sharing the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.
4B. The Place of Evangelism
Jerusalem – our city; Judea – our country; Samaria – our continent; End of the earth – the world!
3A. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Membership (Hebrews 10:24-25)
1B. What Is A Church?
A church is a fellowship. (Acts 2:42)
Ø The top priority in a fellowship is harmony and unity. (Ephesians 4:3)
A church is a family. (1 Peter 3:8)
Ø Therefore, we are to operate based on relationships, not rules (1 Timothy 5:1-2).
Ø We need to recognize that there are different levels of maturity in God’s family (1 Timothy 3:4-5).
A church is a body. (1 Corinthians 12:27; Colossians 1:18)
Ø We are a body, not a business—an organism, not an organization
A church is a flock. (John 10:14; 21:16)
Ø Therefore, it is cared for and led by shepherds.
Ø Shepherds (elders) are to lead, feed, and protect God’s sheep.
2B. What Does It Mean To Be A Member Of A Church?
Church members express their new life in Christ:
Ø By repenting of their sins and placing their faith in Christ
Ø By publicly confessing their faith through the act of believer’s baptism
Ø By affirming in writing the Church Covenant and Statement of Faith
Church members protect the unity of their church
Ø By acting in love toward other members (Romans 14:19)
Ø By refusing to gossip (Ephesians 4:29)
Ø By following the leaders as they follow Christ (Hebrews 13:17(
Church members share in the responsibilities of their church
Ø By praying for its growth (1 Thes 1:1-2)
Ø By inviting the unchurched to attend (Luke 14:23)
Ø By warmly welcoming those who visit (Romans 15:7)
Ø By giving regularly (1 Corinthians 16:2; Leviticus 27:30)
Church members serve the ministry of their church
Ø By discovering their gifts and talents (1 Peter 4:10)
Ø By being equipped to serve by their pastors (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Ø By developing a servant’s heart (Phil 2:3-5)
Church members support the testimony of their church
Ø By attending faithfully (Hebrews 10:25)
Ø By living a godly life (Phil 1:27)
Ø By being a Christian example in their home and community (1 Corinthians 10:31; Titus 2:11-12)
3B. Why Should You Join A Church?
A Biblical Reason: Christ is committed to the church (Ephesians 5:25)
A Cultural Reason: It is an antidote to our society
Ø It flies in the face of our consumer mentality and church hopping.
A Practical Reason: It defines who can be counted on (Ephesians 2:19)
Ø Every team has a roster, every army an enlistment. Membership identifies our family.
A Personal Reason: It demonstrates our faith and produces spiritual growth (John 14:21)
A Theological Reason: It glorifies God (1 Peter 2:12)
Matthew 16:13-20
1A. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Conversion (John 3:1-8)
1B. ________________ is the New Birth Needed?
Because of the ________________________ of man
Because of the _________________ of the new birth
2B. _______________________ is the New Birth?
The new birth is _____________, not physical (3:4-6)
The new birth is supernatural not _________ (3:7-13)
3B. Six biblical truths concerning conversion…
1. Man must repent and believe in order to be saved. (Acts 16:30-31)
2. Every one who repents and believes the gospel will be saved. (John 6:37)
3. Man must personally, knowingly, and willingly repent of his sin and place his faith in Christ. (Luke 13:3).
4. Man in his natural lost condition will not and indeed cannot repent and believe. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
5. God in His grace must change man through regeneration before man can and will repent and believe. (Titus 3:4-7)
6. Faith and repentance are the evidences, not the cause, of regeneration. (John 3:3; Acts 16:14)
2A. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Evangelism (Acts 1:8)
1B. The _____________________ of Evangelism - (Mark 16:15; 1 Peter 3:15)
2B The _____________________ for Evangelism (Acts 4:31; Phil 4:13)
3B. The _____________________ for Evangelism
4B. The ______________________ of Evangelism
3A. A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Membership (Hebrews 10:24-25)
1B. __________________ Is A Church?
A church is a _____________________. (Acts 2:42)
A church is a ____________________. (1 Peter 3:8)
A church is a __________________. (1 Cor 12:27; Col 1:18)
A church is a _______________. (John 10:14; 21:16)
2B. What Does It Mean To Be A _____________ Of A Church?
Church members express their new life in Christ:
Ø By repenting of their sins and placing their faith in Christ
Ø By publicly confessing their faith through the act of believer’s baptism
Ø By affirming in writing the Church Covenant and Statement of Faith
Church members _____________ the unity of their church
Ø By acting in love toward other members (Romans 14:19)
Ø By refusing to gossip (Ephesians 4:29)
Ø By following the leaders as they follow Christ (Hebrews 13:17(
Church members __________________ in the responsibilities of their church
Ø By praying for its growth (1 Thes 1:1-2)
Ø By inviting the unchurched to attend (Luke 14:23)
Ø By warmly welcoming those who visit (Romans 15:7)
Ø By giving regularly (1 Corinthians 16:2; Leviticus 27:30)
Church members _____________ the ministry of their church
Ø By discovering their gifts and talents (1 Peter 4:10)
Ø By being equipped to serve by their pastors (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Ø By developing a servant’s heart (Phil 2:3-5)
Church members ____________ the testimony of their church
Ø By attending faithfully (Hebrews 10:25)
Ø By living a godly life (Phil 1:27)
Ø By being a Christian example in their home and community (1 Corinthians 10:31; Titus 2:11-12)
3B. Why Should You Join A Church?
A _____________________ Reason: Christ is committed to the church (Ephesians 5:25)
A _________________ Reason: It is an antidote to our society
A ___________________ Reason: It defines who can be counted on (Ephesians 2:19)
A ______________________ Reason: It demonstrates our faith and produces spiritual growth (John 14:21)
A __________________ Reason: It glorifies God (1 Peter 2:12)