Pastor Glen's Sermon PowerPoint 1/23/22

WHAT KEEPS US BUILDING TOGETHER IN LOVE PASTOR A. GLEN BASUEL “FROM HIM THE WHOLE BODY, JOINED AND HELD TOGETHER BY EVERY SUPPORTING LIGAMENT, GROWS AND BUILDS ITSELF UP IN LOVE, AS EACH PART DOES ITS WORK.” (EPHESIANS 4:16) I. OUR ATTACHMENT KEEPS US BUILDING TOGETHER IN LOVE. “FROM HIM THE WHOLE BODY, JOINED…” “AND IN HIM YOU TOO ARE BEING BUILT TOGETHER TO BECOME A DWELLING IN WHICH GOD LIVES BY HIS SPIRIT.” (EPHESIANS 2:22) II. OUR BONDING KEEPS US BUILDING TOGETHER IN LOVE. “…AND HELD TOGETHER BY EVERY SUPPORTING LIGAMENT…” “MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL.” (2 CORINTHIANS 13:14) III. OUR COMPASSION KEEPS US BUILDING TOGETHER IN LOVE. “…GROWS AND BUILDS ITSELF UP IN LOVE…” 9 LOVE MUST BE SINCERE. HATE WHAT IS EVIL; CLING TO WHAT IS GOOD. 10 BE DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE. HONOR ONE ANOTHER ABOVE YOURSELVES. 11 NEVER BE LACKING IN ZEAL, BUT KEEP YOUR SPIRITUAL FERVOR, SERVING THE LORD. 12 BE JOYFUL IN HOPE, PATIENT IN AFFLICTION, FAITHFUL IN PRAYER. 13 SHARE WITH THE LORD’S PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED. PRACTICE HOSPITALITY. (ROMANS 12:9-13) IV. OUR DEDICATION KEEPS US BUILDING TOGETHER IN LOVE. “…AS EACH PART DOES ITS WORK.” 5 SO IN CHRIST WE, THOUGH MANY, FORM ONE BODY, AND EACH MEMBER BELONGS TO ALL THE OTHERS. 6 WE HAVE DIFFERENT GIFTS, ACCORDING TO THE GRACE GIVEN TO EACH OF US. IF YOUR GIFT IS PROPHESYING, THEN PROPHESY IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOU] FAITH; 7 IF IT IS SERVING, THEN SERVE; IF IT IS TEACHING, THEN TEACH; 8 IF IT IS TO ENCOURAGE, THEN GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT; IF IT IS GIVING, THEN GIVE GENEROUSLY; IF IT IS TO LEAD DO IT DILIGENTLY; IF IT IS TO SHOW MERCY, DO IT CHEERFULLY. (ROMANS 12:5-8) THE WCCC MEMBERSHIP COVENANT 1. I will protect the unity of my church 2. I will share the responsibility of my church 3. I will serve the ministry of my church 4. I will support the testimony of my church 1. I will protect the unity of my church By acting in love toward other members “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:9) By refusing to gossip Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29) By following the leaders “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17) 2. I will share the responsibility of my church By praying for its growth “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2) By inviting the unchurched to attend “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” (Luke 14:23) By warmly welcoming those who visit “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7) 3. I will serve the ministry of my church By discovering my gifts and talents Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10) By being equipped to serve by my leaders “He (God) gave...some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:11-12) By developing a servant’s heart 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) 4. I will support the testimony of my church By attending faithfully “…not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) By living a godly life “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (Philippians 1:7) By giving regularly “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up...” (1 Corinthians 16:2) “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” (Leviticus 27:30)