Church 12 Pt 1 Series

Series: The Church

Sermon: Church 12

Tag line - 12 reasons why we all need The Church of Jesus Christ active in our lives.

Open with video: We are ---The Church!

Scripture Text: Hebrews 10:19-25:

19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,

21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Introduction:

Last week I opened our series “The Church” asking the question or statement a person made to me a few years back, “Who needs the Church?” = It was said with attitude and last week I made the case that we all need The Church – my family needs “The Church” I need The Church. I can honestly say, “The Church has been more a family to me than my own family! So I am so glad to be a part of The Church, I really do love the Church. I would not be who I am today if it was not for The Church. My family would not be who they are today if it was not for The Church! Church is not just for me and my family it’s also for each of you and your families too. Do you believe that? The Church is here for the purpose of mission and you and I are part of the mission plan.

Here are some thoughts on The Church from a few 30 on down in age individuals from the book “The Relevant Church”:

Quotes:

Brian Kay, “It is impossible to be a follower of Christ and not be part of a local church!”

“No one can have God as Father who does not also have the church as Mother.’

“There are several good reasons to believe that the normal Christian life becomes entirely undone when it is not lived in the presence of other believers, in regular acts of worship and service.”

Robin Lemke, “I don’t think there is any question in Scripture that God expects us to come together in a community to worship Him and support each other. The thrust of the New Testament from Acts onward is about followers of Christ risking their lives and freedom to make believers and establish churches. Nowhere does Paul or Silas or Peter go into a city to make believers, then send them home and expect them to simply pray by themselves and in so doing follow Christ.”

Tyler Watts, “I think I disconnect from the Gospel of Jesus Christ when I’m not involved in close relationships with other believers.”

Jeremy Walden, “The phrase ‘go to church’ makes me crazy. I am the church. Believers are the church. Instead of talking about just going into a building for a service, let’s start talking about getting together with other believers to discuss God and pray together. That type of gathering is where we’ll find community, a place of encouragement, sharing listening, and worship.”

Philip Evans, “Every believer needs a ‘church’ even if it’s just four or five of you meeting together to worship, I know my relationship with Christ would deteriorate if I didn’t surround myself with people who encourage and challenge me in my faith.”

James Bullock, “I love the diversity of church-so many different people saved from a range of pain, addictions, lifestyles-now all set free in a community together.”

Andy Squyres, “When I hear the word ‘church,’ I think of the body of Christ in its fullness, without denominational or dogmatic boundaries, church in all its organic glory, shifting and growing, as all living things do.”

Cory Passehl, “Church is not just a building or Sunday morning service, but a place where the Body of Christ comes together for encouragement, edification, challenging, rebuking. It’s a place where people are cared for, a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, and a place of worship.”

Jendi Reiter, “Church is the one place where I am accepted ‘as is.’ Church gives me an understanding of human frailty and reminds me that we all need God’s forgiveness-even me. Growing up as a reformed Jew, I was always pressed to achieve and compete. Then when O began attending a Christian Church in college, I discovered church could be a place of amazing refuge, acceptance, and salvation.”