The Church, Part 2

Review!

Greek Word for church?

Answer: ekklesia or ecclesia

ekklesia means?

Answer: called out assembly; called out ones

called by God to come out from the world

called out to serve - think of Jesus asking 12 disciples, “Come and follow me”

“The Church” is every true ____________ past, present, and future.

Answer: Christian

strict definition - the people, not the buildings were Christians meet

it’s ok to use “church” that way as long as you really understand

we had some church is slang for a good time at the church building, that’s fine

Our group of believers, WMBC, is a local visible part of the church

Hopefully each of us is a part of the church in God’s eyes.

Foundation of the church: Jesus is the _______, son of the living ______

Answer: Christ, God

#1 way to recognize bad teaching or a cult

Jesus is not the Christ (anointed one, the one), son of the living God (equal to God, in comparison to prophets)

Jesus is not the center of the conversation (our works, blackness, leader of particular group)

The church is one body with many ________

Answer: members

unity with diversity

we all have our own roles assigned by God (hopefully we are carrying out our assignments)

something is wrong with the thinking of a Christian who doesn’t want to be a part of the body

detached limbs

no one is saying that we are perfect.

in fact, church life is hard, just like living in your body is hard

heartache, disappointment, foolishness . . .

Birthday of the Church?

Answer: Day of Pentecost

when the Holy Ghost came in like mighty rushing wind

Purpose of the Church: What’s the Word on the Street?

what are people saying about the purpose, goal of a church?

what should the church be doing?

Now, what do you say?

what are your thoughts?

Many purposes of the church, we will hit on some of the main ones tonight . . . not an exhaustive list (I might leave a big one out)

Whenever you say, “the church should be doing” . . . if you are a Christian replace it with, “I should be doing”

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

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

make disciples - the Great Commission, reproduce ourselves

spread the gospel (good news)

it assumes you are a disciple

telling people about Christ

if they accept Christ, then baptize them (ordinance)

Then teach them - not get license and then you are through with learning (driver, marriage)

1 Corinthians 11:24–26 NASB95

24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Remembering Jesus and what he did

Lord’s supper, communion (ordinance)

not set time - for as often as you do it, but you should do it

Acts 2:42 (NASB95)

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

This is a description of what happened to the new Christians after the day of Pentecost

devoted to teaching - being taught/discipled exemplified at the onset

devoted to fellowship - close association, close relationship, family, togetherness

prayer

Acts 2:44–45 NASB95

44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Financial unity and togetherness

for early church, probably a response to the unity and fellowship, and the thought that Jesus was returning in their lifetimes

had all things in common (what’s mine is yours)

giving, sharing, supporting each other financially

support of members in need

if my house burned down . . . somebody would let me stay

something that is done unofficially that is not reported

something that is done officially and is not reported contrary to all these churches take from community

because you don’t want to tell people’s business

when I meet with pastors, it’s the opposite story - don’t give, want help, get help, leave

church should be a financial resource t

the more members give, the greater the resource . . .

The church should be a powerful resource

we see it in simple ways - school children selling things

supporting each other’s businessess

1 Timothy 5:17–18 NASB95

17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

taking care of material needs of church leaders

not very popular subject - how much is too much/too little

live at least on level of members (whole other topic)

being a pastor doesn’t exempt you from bills, groceries, and gas

Ephesians 2:10 NASB95

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

good works - doing good deeds, helping people, ministry

prepared beforehand - purposeful, not pick what you want . . . individuals and churches

Matthew 5:16 NASB95

16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

good works in order to glorify God - not to get into heaven

light shining in darkness - that’s what doing good works does, point people to the true light

1 Peter 2:9 NASB95

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

like a race of people - similar, certain characteristics (hair, eyes, skin color . . . faith, kindness, forgiving)

royal priesthood

royal - children of the king, special group, leaders

priesthood - ministers, you can connect with God through them

holy nation - own set of laws, customs based on holiness

a people of God’s own possession - we belong to God, very personal thing, prized possession

proclaim the excellencies - tell people how good God is, glorify God, exalt Him, point to Him

remember, Christ is the center

Matthew 18:15–17 NASB95

15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17 “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

church is supposed to correct its members (this model that Jesus wants us to go by is grounded in love)

member that sins - implies you have proof, at least two reliable witnesses, or confession . . . not suspicions

people usually like to skip to gossip at the church, dropping hints . . .

3 steps

step 1 - private conversation . . . and stays private if they repent

step 2 - private conversation with witness . . . private and stays private, if they repent

step 3 - tell it to the church officially, have a meeting about it and let the church try to correct them

if they repent, it’s all good

if they refuse to listen, don’t treat them like a member anymore (don’t have to be mean to them, trying to get them saved)

1 Corinthians 6:1–2 NASB95

1 Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts?

This is one I have never seen, Church should handle civil problems problems internally

Deacon Dennis backs into my care and we disagree on how to handle it

carries that idea that we are our own nation as Christians

hopefully you can bring in another Christian to try talk it out before getting a letter from my lawyer

unfortunately, church members sue each other all the time, usually over church issues

who is the rightful pastor, ect.

1 Thessalonians 5:2–6 NASB95

2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

prepare for Christ return (or your own death whichever comes first)

live with eternity in mind

priorities change - salvation of loved ones, friends

eternal rewards - don’t try to get all of our rewards here, believe that your living is not in vain

sense of urgency - not wasting time in doing God’s will

Live right - face judgement day (of your works)

Summary

remember when we say “Church”

we are really talking about all Christians, different denominations, countries, races

we are really talking about you!

point finger at church, point finger at you

like me saying, “Those Cavers need to step up”

hopefully you have learned these past two weeks

how important you are to the church

one body, many members (we need unity and diversity)

so, church is more serious than a gym membership

to take church membership seriously

attendance in person or online

finding your role, it’s more about just showing up for a service

being accountable, like notifying if you can’t be there

not about getting in your business, but about being members of one body, family

we notify jobs and schools

I expect my wife to notify me if she is not coming home

if she doesn’t that’s some red flags

don’t take relationships very seriously

don’t care for me

Comments/Questions

did I leave a purpose out?

Announcements

The 1 minute Preaching excerpts on Facebook

assuming you heard in person or watched the sermon on line (YouTube/Facebook)

excerpts are for: others (low key evangelism), serve as a reminder to you

I NEED YOU TO SHARE THEM!!!! (try to do at least two every week)

Church clean up/work day on Sat, 26th, 9am - 11am

get in and get out

Casting all your cares list (40)

I got 46, 1 answered

Mentor Moment

don’t forget to drink water

don’t burn bridges - say do something where the other person will never like, respect you again

even if you are in the right (people will appreciate your restraint, or you actually might be wrong)

sever connections that need to be severed, but don’t go out acting crazy

leave jobs, business relationships, family relationships, romantic relationships, local church as gracefully as you can

not saying don’t stand up for yourself, or just take abuse

you can be professional in dismissing people if you have to

don’t do it in person, or on-line

life just has a way of returning you to that bridge for one reason or another

you might need info, some paperwork

your child, friend might need it

Prayer Requests?