Untitled Sermon (31)
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 5 viewsNotes
Transcript
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.
WELCOME: eMember Reflections Group Tuesdays @ 7:00 pm
Reflections Church Service
December 19th, 2021
“What Did Mary Know”
Luke 1:26 - 31
Matthew 1:21
A pure celebration of the birth of our Savior.
ICEBREAKER:
Doctrine of the Church
Opening Question: What is the purpose of the Church in your life?
The Inauguration of the Church:
The Back Story:
In Matthew chapter 16 the Pharisees and Sadducees were hounding Jesus to test him. They were asking for signs that is who He claimed to be.
[This is after healing many, and feeding the 4000 (chp. 15])
Matthew 16:5 - 12
5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Jesus initiates the Church:
Travelling to the region of Caesarea Philippi. He asks His disciples a couple of questions:
Matthew 16:13 - 20
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
[The King of the Kingdom created the church to be and earthly representation and extend His Kingdom rule in this world]
This passage marks the inception of the church. Christ made the distinction when He called Peter, the Greek form of his name, petros, which means “stone or boulder”. However, in His declaration, “upon this rock I will build my church,” Jesus uses the Greek work, Petra, meaning massive projecting rock of cliff”.
Christ was indicating that it was not the person, Peter, on whom He would establish His church, but on the revelation given to Peter by the Holy Spirit, that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God, This is extremely important because is indicates that Christ church is not reliant on any humans’ ability to deduce or reason, but only by revelation if the Holy Spirit.
[Some have entered the church based on other things, and that’s were we run into trouble. People join churches for many reasons other than the revelation of who Christ is]
There are very important aspects of the church:
First, the church is based on divine revelation.
Second, it is invincible, the passage says, “...the gates of hell will not prevail against it...”
Third, the church is responsible to allow things into, and keep things out of the Kingdom.
Acts 6:1- 7
1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
The formation of the church took place in Acts under the direction of the apostles. While Christ was on earth the church was not necessary since the King of the Kingdom was here, but in His absence the church is the delegated authority of the Kingdom of God.
Question: What do you expect from being part of a church?
The culture of the Church:
Acts 2:42 - 47
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Look at the four cornerstone’s of what I believe make a healthy church:
Devoting themselves to the apostles’s teaching
Fellowship
Breaking of bread
Prayer
[Our human needs are wrapped within the spiritual work of the church]
Question: What should the church expect from you?
Acts 4:32 - 37
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
I Timothy 3:14 - 15
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
As the pillar and foundation of truth, the church must uphold and establish God’s word and God Himself which is truth. This is important because of what is the church’s responsibility.
[In the beginning of the chapter Paul is telling Timothy the qualifications for leadership in the church]
Hebrews 10:23 - 25
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Coming together regularly to spur each other on to love and good works.
[Studies show that when you have an accountability partner you are 95% more likely to accomplish you goal] I think this is sighted in the “Atomic Habits” - James Clear
How we relate to church leadership:
Galatians 6:6
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
Hebrews 13:7, 17
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
That is why we are to support the church with our time, talents and treasure. We are here because we responded to the call of the Holy Spirit, that revealed that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, and He established the church as the embassy of the Kingdom of Heaven to represent the culture and conduct of His Kingdom here on earth. And with grateful hearts we should gather, give, and graciously serve each other and the community to reflect what believers in Christ should be like.