Sermon Tone Analysis

Hebrews 8:7-13

Introduction

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church

1) Expositional preaching, 2) Biblical church leadership, 3) Biblical church discipline, 4) Biblical theology, 5) a Biblical understanding of the gospel 6) a Biblical understanding of church membership, 7) a Biblical understanding of conversion, 8) a Biblical understanding of evangelism, and 9) A concern for promoting Christian discipleship and growth.

We are a society afraid to commit; the Christian faith is built and grounded on commitments.

In the Scriptures, these commitments are called covenants!

(Hebrews 8:7-13)

The scriptures are filled with Covenants

Noah (Genesis 6:18-ff; 9:9-17)

Abraham (Genesis 15:18)

Moses  (Exodus 24:8)

David (2 Chronicles 21:7)

Jesus

Matthew 26:28 (NASB) 28for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

All of our relationships are based on covenants.

Can a person, who is "commitment adverse," be a Christian at the same time?

Can someone be a Christian without a commitment?

Three questions: What is a church, what does it mean to be a member of a church, why should you join a church?

\\ 1A.

What Is A Church?

1B.

A church is a fellowship

Acts 2:42 (NASB) 42They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship…

The top priority in a fellowship is harmony and unity.

(Ephesians 4:3)

Ø      Therefore, any attitude that causes disunity is a sin.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NASB) 10Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Ø      Therefore, we need a Bible-based structure that promotes unity and downplays differences.

(1 Corinthians 11:17-18)

Ø      We need to remember that voting tends to divide!

2B.

A church is a family

1 Peter 3:8 (NASB) 8To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;

Therefore, we are to operate on the basis of relationships not rules  (1 Timothy 5:1-2)

Ø      Do you vote on everything in your family?

We need to recognize that there are different levels of maturity in God’s family.

(1 Timothy 3:4-5)

\\ 3B.

A church is a body

1 Corinthians 12:27 (NASB) 27Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.

Colossians 1:18 (NASB) 18He is also head of the body, the church...

We are a body not a business - An organism not an organization

Ø      In an organization “maintenance” becomes the focus

Ø      In an organism “ministry” is the focus

The NT teaches a simple structure so we can maximize ministry and minimize maintenance.

Ø      The people are the ministers

Ø      The pastors~/elders are the equippers.

This is a structure for growth not control!

4B.

A church is a flock

John 10:14 (NASB) 14“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,

Therefore, it is cared for and led by shepherds.

John 21:16 (NASB) 16He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

He said~* to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said~* to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

Shepherds (elders) are to lead, feed, and protect God’s sheep.

\\ 2A.

What Does It Mean To Be A Member Of A Church?

1B.

Church members express their new life in Christ

By repenting of their sins and placing their faith in Christ

By publicly confessing their faith through the act of believers baptism

By affirming in writing the Church Covenant and Statement of Faith

2B.

Church members protect the unity of their church

By acting in love toward other members

Romans 14:19 (NASB) So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

Ø      The phrase “one another or “each other” is used over fifty times in the New Testament.

By refusing to gossip

Ephesians 4:29 (NASB) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

By following the leaders as they follow Christ

Hebrews 13:17 (NASB) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.

Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

\\ 3B.

Church members share in the responsibilities of their church

By praying for its growth

1 Thessalonians 1:1-2 (NASB) To the church….

We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers

By inviting the unchurched to attend

Luke 14:23 (NASB) “…  ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.

By warmly welcoming those who visit

Romans 15:7 (NASB) Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

By giving regularly

1 Corinthians 16:2 (NASB) On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

Leviticus 27:30 (NASB) ‘Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S; it is holy to the LORD.

4B.

Church members serve the ministry of their church

By discovering their gifts and talents

1 Peter 4:10 (NASB) As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

By being equipped to serve by their pastors

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NASB) [God] gave…some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

By developing a servant’s heart

Philippians 2:3-5, 7 (NASB) …do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…[who] emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant…

5B.

Church members support the testimony of their church

By attending faithfully

Hebrews 10:25 (NASB) not forsaking our own assembling together, …but encouraging one another…

By living a godly life

Philippians 1:27 (NASB) Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…