Sermon Central
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Our Relationship With The Church Series
Contributed by Jonathan Powell on May 15, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Sermon 4 of 4 in series entitled "Building Relationships"
Building Relationships #4
Our Relationship with the Church
Today we conclude our four week journey into “Building Godly Relationships” by looking into our relationship with His church here at Bakers Chapel. Over the past year, we have studied many passages together on how to be the church the God wants us to be. Today is no different. As we read this passage together this morning, I want you to focus on this main idea, God is in control of this church – not man. We are to always do what God wants, not what man wants, and this comes only through being in an intimate relationship with God. So, let’s see what our church is supposed to be made up of this morning.
TEXT
This passage demonstrates the likeness between the body of Christ and the Human body. It takes everything working together to make things work. So:::
I. What is the Church made up of?
a. Church is made up of members who have professed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
i. Believe Jesus is the Son of God
ii. Believe in the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ
iii. Have made a profession of faith, been baptized into the body of the local church.
b. Church is made up of members who should work together – for good of God’s purpose, not good of man’s purpose.
i. “For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
ii. Each member has a gift (Spiritual Gift) to be used to edify (build up) the church and bring praise and honor to God.
1. When members work together, God’s church grows
2. When members work against one another, God’s church divides and splits.
c. Church is made up of members who are united to serve God in all possible manners.
II. What is expected of a Church member?
a. Study/Read/Devote time to God’s Word
i. BIBLE is guideline for instruction
1. Inerrant, perfect word of God
2. Guide for daily living
a. MAP TO GUIDE (Psalm 119:19)
i. “I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me”
b. MAP TO WISDOM (Psalm 119:97-104)
i. See text
c. MAP TO LIGHT (Psalm 119:105)
i. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”
b. We are to Give to God what is His
i. Talents
1. Parable of the talents.
a. Don’t bury your talents, use them for God’s glory
ii. Spiritual Gifts
1. Find out what you are gifted in. Each person has a gift that God has blessed you with. If you are interested in taking a Spiritual Gifts survey, see me.
iii. Tithes and Offerings
1. Always a controversial point in all churches. When you talk about money, it hits home. This point is about giving to God what is His.
i. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, that all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance: but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living
ii. YOU WANT A BLESSING IN LIFE?
1. BLESS HIM!
c. We are to follow the Church Covenant
i. Notice this man made document.
1. Gives the believer an outline of what a church member should do.
2. READ covenant
d. Church member is to follow God’s leadership and abstain from Sin
As a Baptist, we believe “once saved, always saved.” Other denominations believe that you can fall from grace. I am of the Baptist belief, however, I am of this thinking – “What’s wrong with living right?”
There is no excuse for laying out on God.
Once saved, you will have a desire to be with God’s people.
Once saved, there will be a change in your pattern of doing things, saying things, etc.
III. What are the Requirements for establishing a relationship with Bakers Chapel Church?
a. IF NEVER SAVED
i. Trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
1. Admit to God you are a sinner
2. Believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son
3. Confess Jesus as Lord of your life
4. TURN from your sinful nature
ii. Come forward and profess Jesus as Savior and Lord
iii. Be baptized into the fellowship
