One Another - All of Us!

OPEN - Devotional thought

SERMON

The Church - Together, Bold, Unwavering, On Mission

Hebrews 10, 1 Cor. 12 (READ later)

Prophets of Old Testament - Message of New Testament

We are not Israel, and many of the OT prophecies are not written to us

But we can see God’s character, He has not changed, nor the mission of His people, Israel then, the Church now

Jeremiah 1:17 NASB95

“Now, gird up your loins and arise, and speak to them all which I command you. Do not be dismayed before them, or I will dismay you before them.

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Ezekiel 3:17 NASB95

“Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.

2 Peter 3:10 NASB95

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Hebrews 10:19-25 and 1 Corinthians 12 (?)- passages, on mission

Cornerstone’s Mission Statement

QUESTION: Do we see our mission CLEARLY?

- to seek the lost and bring them to Christ

- shepherd the flock of God and help them to maturity

- serve with mercy and compassion

Key Elements to this Mission

Speak Truth - even if it’s not popular

SALVATION

Truth - sinners

Truth - penalty

Truth - Jesus paid it

Truth - Offer to everyone

Truth - God keeps promises, to both save, and to punish

DISCIPLING

Isn’t automatic, it takes work

Growth is commanded by God, not an option

The church’s mission is to help people grow

SEE Bulletin quote: Adrian Rogers

Divided by truth? United in error? BEST: united in truth, we’re not there

2. Be aware of what culture is doing

Equality act - evil

Passed the House, serious threat to freedoms in the church. How will we respond?

Christianity is more and more a target - many anti-Bible laws coming about; Deeper than making church life difficult

People are given value based on shade of brown of their skin

Culture OK’s one thing, saying the Bible doesn’t “say that”, and yet they characterize people by how they look, which is CLEARLY not in the Bible. POINT - God’s Word is a JOKE to culture

How do you view it?

How does the church? Well....much of the church is adopting what culture blesses, no idea how to refute or desire to refute.

Our nation’s culture is anti-Bible

But if people don’t know it....But if people don’t care....

3. Extend Mercy - God did!

We do compassion pretty well

Where we need work is attaching the Gospel to that

CAUTION - when you speak truth, defend GOD, there will be anger toward you, you’ll be called hateful

Now…some would rather not talk about these things - so really, this message isn’t for you. When you decide enough is enough and you want to speak up for Jesus, come back to this.

Jeremiah speaks of people “going through the motions” and doing things that were once good, even commanded (festivals, celebrations, etc.), but they’ve lost heart, they’ve lost the faith to follow God

The church needs a reset

God would love to use us

Do we want Him to?

Will we let Him?

CURRENT FACTS

Church has lost 30-40% of people - GONE

Getting them back?

Treat like lost?

Treat like brothers and sisters in need of restoration?

Beg reconciliation, as in 2 Cor. 5:20?

NEVER bend regarding truth!

OT, NT, Jesus, Us - speak truth, hatred follows

Speak just “good feeling?” Oh yeah, the true prophets, apostles, churches, Jesus - NEVER did this!

I take that back a little, they all spoke much about the HOPE we have! Repent, trust, then HOPE!

AND…never give up, never stop reaching, never stop following Christ, and pray that the Spirit will continue to convict us and others.

Then...RESPOND

CORNERSTONE 2021 - 30 YEARS YOUNG!

There is a community in need of what we know

They may not want it, like it, or care

That does not change the mission

This is a church, in need of each other

We may have differences - OK, we DO!

That does not change the mission

QUESTION IS:

Who’s in? Who’s not?

YOU - In, or not? CHOOSE!

Revelation 3:20–22 NASB95

‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”