Our Church... Exists for Others
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Intro
We have been looking at what the church is supposed to be.
Jesus said,
18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Series – Our Church – Passion for God, Prayer, Praise and Worship and for People… We need the Power the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our church... We learned to live in the Tree of Life... by Grace… We have learned that our church is built on relationships…
LW we learned that the church must be based on the Word of God… if it’s not, we would belive all sorts of things… whatever the culture is proposing.
If we will focus on values and character qualities we catch the attention of others.
Today we are going to talk about the fact that
The church exists for others.
The church exists for others.
It’s not about us. When we worry about someone in our parking place… our seat… we are losing our focus.
We are to be Salt and Light in this world and we cant do that focused on ourselves.
Talk about the tension....
In the church, there is a tension. Some want the church to be about US growing and the church meeting my needs. But that goes against what Jesus said we are to be doing.
The church exists for a mission…
27 Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.
It’s all about others
Say it with me
The local church is the hope of the world and it’s not about us, it’s about others. Three truths…
Three Basic Truths
Three Basic Truths
1. We are blessed to be a blessing
1. We are blessed to be a blessing
If you live in the US, you are blessed. You may not feel like it but you are.
2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.
God chose you to be put into this amazing nation to be a blessing to the rest of the world.
2. When we Bless others, God takes care of our needs
2. When we Bless others, God takes care of our needs
29 Jesus said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Anyone who gave up his home, wife, brothers, parents, or children because of the kingdom of God 30 will certainly receive many times as much in this life and will receive eternal life in the world to come.”
God is saying, when you care about helping other people, I will take care of you.
38 Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
3. The more we are blessed by God, the more He expects us to help others
3. The more we are blessed by God, the more He expects us to help others
God brings you and I through different experiences so that we help others through what they are going through.
God has blessed us and he expects us to help others.
48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
What is it that God wants you and I to do?
What God Wants You and I to Do
What God Wants You and I to Do
As Jesus went to heaven he gave some specific instructions. Before you give your life to Jesus, it’s all about you, but after it’s about others.
28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Here are our marching orders for 2021…
1. Reach them
1. Reach them
We need to do everything we can to reach others for Jesus. If we will do what Jesus wants us to do, people will be drawn to us.
We cannot let this church become a church where we have a little club. We exist for others because that’s what Jesus wants us to do. We can’t be comfortable until everyone knows and loves Jesus.
23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.
Some people want us to remain small… As long as there are people who need to go to heaven, we are not to big.
What do we do about sin?
2. Warn them
2. Warn them
Once we reach people,
4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
It’s the kindness of God that draws us to repent. That’s why we do groups…
17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
We can sharpen each other. It’s where you can say… I have issues… you can be real.
3. Teach them
3. Teach them
Fresh Start…
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.
12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
My job is to train you to do the ministry.
4. Help them reach their full potential
4. Help them reach their full potential
We want to help you find your spot… teams… small groups… ministries…
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
to do… good works…