The Purpose of the Church (2)

Introduction

This is the time when many have forgotten the purpose of the season and of the church

Have 80% of Churches Forgotten their purpose

Story of the girl cutting the ends off the ham

Most churches have changed a lot since they began

Most organizations forget their purpose

Institutionalization

Government, schools, Business

The purpose becomes just keeping the organization operating.

Unless someone is their to continually remind them of what their purpose is

Luke 19:10 NIV84

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

John 3:16–17 NIV84

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Discipleship (Evangelism)

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV84

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 2:41 NIV84

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2:47 NIV84

praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The Church Must be winning the 3rd Generation Pagan to the Lord

One growing church had 90% came from other churches, 7% were children of church members, 3% were the unchurched

God would consider that church a failure

Acts 2:41 NIV84

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Discipleship (The Second Phase of Discipleship)

Bible Study

Acts 2:42 NIV84

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Unity

1 Corinthians 1:10–11 NIV84

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.

Becoming more Christlike

Galatians 4:19 NIV84

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

Ministering to the world

Acts 3:1–6 NIV84

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

Acts 4:32–35 NIV84

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Acts 6:1–4 NIV84

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

God Has a Ministry for everyone of us

Conclusion

If we are a Purpose driven Church we will be changing all the time in order to fulfill our purpose