What does the local Church do? Be and Make Disciples

A Definition: A local church is a group of Christians who regularly gather in Christ’s name to officially affirm and oversee one another’s membership in Jesus Christ and his kingdom through gospel preaching and gospel ordinances.

Now I want to ask the question, “what is a farmer?”

A Definition: A farmer is a person who produces food from a farm for a living

So the follow up question is what does a farmer do?

What doesn’t a farmer do?

Acquires a place to farm

Makes the soil healthy

Buys and plants seeds

Waters

Controls pests

Builds infrastructure

Buys, uses and maintains equipment

Waits...

pulls weeds

harvests

saves seeds

sells produce

repeat

So today’s real question

What does the local church do?

First verses

The overall purpose

Jesus called on people to follow Him.

Jesus called “disciples”

What did Jesus’ ministry primarily consist of?

Calling disciples

Preaching/teaching

Healing

John 4:23–24 ESV

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

I. The church worships

APPLICATION:

Worshipping on Sundays

Second Point

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

II. The church gathers more to worship

APPLICATION: Multiplication

Third Point

Matthew 14:14 ESV

14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

III. The church loves others

Fourth Point

John 13:34 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

IV. The church loves “one another”

How?

Serve one another’s physical needs (John 13:14)

Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10)

Don’t judge one another (Romans 14:13)

Teach one another (Romans 15:14)

Greet one another (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Peter 5:14)

Agree with one another and don’t divide (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Admonish one another (Colossians 3:13)

Spur one another on to good works (Hebrews 10:24)

Be kind, compassionate, forgiving, worshipful, encouraging, helping, burden bearing, harmonious, sympathetic, humble, submissive, peaceful, etc… toward one another