Open with video for Father’s Day:
Series: The Church
Sermon: The Church 12 pt 2
Tag line - 12 reasons why we all need The Church of Jesus Christ active in our lives.
Scripture Text:
Hebrews 10:23-25:
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.
Acts 2:42-47:
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Introduction:
Two weeks ago 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 2 weeks ago 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:
Tyler Watts, “I think I disconnect from the Gospel of Jesus Christ when I’m not involved in close relationships with other believers.”
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 I began attending a Christian Church in college, I discovered church could be a place of amazing refuge, acceptance, and salvation.”
Robin Lemke, “I know that people say they don’t need church, but anytime we gather together, God promises to be with us. What could be more enticing than God’s presence? Why wouldn’t we go where God promises to be?”
Emily R. Geyer, “I don’t go to church out of obligation, but because I desire to worship Jesus in a place that is set aside for him, a consecrated space. It’s very different than a Bible Study in my living room or just praying in my car.”
Thought:
The Bible clearly supports and expects Christians to be a part of the church. Church is a community of believers who come together to worship God and to support each other. Scripture does not show Paul, Silas or Peter going into a city just to make believers and then after conversion sending them home to be lone ranger believers instead these new believers - the disciples of Jesus started churches. They united together to worship, to fellowship, to serve the Lord together, to help each other and to spread the Message of Jesus.
Important point: But the church must be relevant to those searching for the truth. Definition of a Relevant Church from the book The Relevant Church: is 1. A distinctive community of faith that is passionate for Christ as well as culture. 2. A community of believers who has bearing on and significance in present day culture.
Thesis: The Church is needed by us all and the Bible gives 12 reasons why we all need The Church. These 12 can be broken down into three focuses of God – Upward – Inward - Outward.
T.S. - “Who needs the church?” We all do as Christians and un-Christians! Today I want to lay down some core facts and basic theological truths about “The Church” from the Bible:
Action point: I encourage you to take notes on these important Biblical truths: Two weeks ago I provided and outline for you to guide our study of the church - so if you want take notes on the 6 -10 reasons why we need - ‘The Church”:
These 12 reasons are from the Bible and are God's idea for The Church! So here are The Church 12: “So why do we need the Church 12 Biblical reasons we do?”
1. (6th reason)Because The church is a place to pray and to worship God together (upward)
a. The church is to be a place of prayer (Acts 2:42b)
i. The church is to be called a house of prayer
1. We need to be praying for each other.
2. We need to be praying with each other.
3. We need to be praying to get closer to the Lord and to hear His voice much more clearer.
a. Jesus said this in Matthew 21:13: 13“It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’”
ii. Larry Crab wrote a great book called "The Papa Prayer" the book centers in on The Lords Prayer or The Our Father Prayer of Matthew 5:9-15.
1. He encourages the reader of His book to evaluate how they pray. Are your prayers similar to the following from pages 34 and 35.
a. Petition - of gimme, gimme, gimme? Bless me with my wants God give me the good life with abundance, and lots of fulfillment and joy.
b. Intercession - change this situation for my sake God work in others and in my circumstance with my well being in view.
c. Thanksgiving - thank you for my blessing and answered prayer, you are so useful, I like it, keep it up and I will go to church for you as long as you provide for me and my life is filled with good times.
d. Worship - well God here is my tip to you for your good service. I will offer you a couple of songs for answering my prayers and blessing me. I will give you a little emotion here and there but sacrifice for you and the Kingdom by going through suffering and still praising you when I hurt forget it. I did not sign up for that.
e. Relating - tell me what to do to keep the good times rolling. I will do my part as long as you do yours.
i. Larry Crabb calls this the spoiled child type of prayer.
ii. So how many people here like spoiled children?
2. He offers the following model for true prayer - a relational model of prayer rooted in Jesus example of how to prayer to and with the Lord.
a. Relational prayer has us draw near and listen. It challenges us to remain in a strong relationship with Jesus and God's Word so we can hear His voice.
b. Worship has us bend low as a living sacrifice to the Lord. It’s an action of surrender of our life so that there is a deep connection between you and God.
c. Thanksgiving is when in every situation of life we give thanks and praise to God. We even thank God for the trials and hardship because He is faithful to sustain us and carry us through the firestorms of life.
d. Intercession is crying out to God asking for His Kingdom to come through you and others. It’s having a changed heart so you can see His Spirit living in you and through your life.
e. Petition is done with the mind of Jesus and the heart of love asking Abba Father for something in your life. Doing petition after you have done the above secures that you will receive the blessings, the strength of God. The truth is our petitions should grow out of our relationship with God and our desire for more of Him.
i. A relational prayer is about God and me - our relationship with each other. If prayer is boring to you or you don't get it in prayer meetings then you need to check your connection with the Lord. Prayer is about connection and relating to God first not about gimme, gimme, gimme cries for more.
ii. You prayer life reveals your relationship status with the Lord.
iii. The Bible reveals that prayer does take sacrifice, effort, intentionality, focus, and discipline- Peter and the Acts New Testament Church taught us about the importance of praying through for a breakthrough in life and for the Kingdom of God (Acts 12:1-19).
1. Historical setting: James is killed by a sword directed from Herod and Peter is arrested. The church is under attack and Herod inspired by the Jews and Satan is bent on wiping out the church.
a. Herod wants to please the Jewish people so He takes James life and seeks to do the same to Peter. But the church gets up and calls a prayer meeting for God to intervene.
2. The church at this point has a few options at its disposal to confront this injustice (Idea here pulled from Cymbala’s book “Fresh Power “ pg. 88,89).
a. They could start a demonstration – they could march on the Capitol Washington and protest there because there are 5,000 plus in the church. The could shout and demand justice because they are a voting block of the population. They could say, “ Herod you better take notice and give us what we demand or we will get you voted out.”
b. They could storm Herod’s palace and slay him with the sword like he did James.
c. They could condemn James for not having enough faith because he was martyred.
d. They could have started confessing positively and saying this is all going to go away. Everything is fine James is not really dead. Peter is not going to be killed after Passover is over.
e. They could start a Newspaper to address the issues and inform the public of what’s going on.
f. They could have remembered all the past spiritual victories and rehashed them. They could live in the past and remember the way we where. Yet never take a step of faith to move forward with the vision Jesus gave them.
g. They could have turned tail and run for the hills and created a secluded colony.
h. They could have quit and given up on God because things were getting tough.
i. But they did none of the above- Instead they called a prayer meeting and started praying earnestly to God for a miracle.
i. Cymbala states, “Too many times when we are under stress or opposition, we hold strategy sessions, we ‘claim the promises’ in a rote sort of way instead of praying them biblically. But God said we could ‘receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.’ Where? At ‘the throne of grace’ (Hebrews 4:16).
ii. Abraham Lincoln wrote, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day.”
iii. This is the attitude we need to have in the church today to see a determination to PUSH through in prayer and see lives transformed.
3. In Acts 12:5 we are told that the church is earnestly – in other words – they working diligently at praying – they are praying on a continual basis – they are laboring to give birth to a miracle- their knees are aching – the sweat is pouring out because of their hard labor. Their crying out in anguish to the Lord.
a. They are doing this with passion and determination, they are P.U.S.H.ing through the storm from Herod. The dangerous cold heartless storm of a man pleaser. The raging blowing wind of an enemy of the church and of Jesus Christ.
b. A storm that has already taken some lives and is hungry for more. They are pushing against it they are driving it away.
i. They PUSHING through the pain for the break out.
ii. They know where the power of God comes from and it is unleashed by prayer.
iv. The church needs to labor earnestly in prayer for our world and others so we can be a part of a miracle.
1. When we pray earnestly don’t be too surprised when God does a miracle (Acts 12:5-17).
2. Observation – Peter is released by an angel and he heads to the prayer meeting - The prayer warriors could not believe the women’s report. They said women your flaking out don’t take this prayer thing to serious. You are delusional.
a. But she was not Peter was released by a miracle intervention of God.
3. But believe it or not prayers bring miracles. Not only in the NT church but today.
b. The church is to be a place where we praise God together on a daily basis and a weekly basis – we call this worship (Acts 2:46,47)
i. The meaning of the word worship from the New Testament.
1. It is described in the original language as a very expressive heart attached action – the Greek word is prokuneo (pros-koo-neh-oh).
2. Mills gives us insight into the root meaning of this Greek word Pros – means to move toward or to go in the direction of. Where kuneo means to kiss or a kiss.
a. This word is used 59 times in the New Testament and it is found in the book of Revelation 24 times.
3. It appears from its use in Revelation that worship is what is occurring in Heaven even right now because of what He who was, is and will be is doing and has done.
a. It important to note - This individual is always being worshipped continually day and night at the Throne. The worship never stops and starts. It just keeps going on and on and sometime during the week we join in with this chorus of praise and worship to God.
4. Mills notes, “We don’t start to worship and then conclude it the way we start and conclude a church service. We join worship. It is universal-going on all over the world-and it is going on in Heaven too all the time night and day. When we begin to sing, praise, give thanks or extol the beauties of our Savior, we are joining an activity already in progress” (190).
a. When we worship we join along with others in this act of intimacy to God.
b. We join worshipping with angels, the elders, other saints long gone, and with a hosts of others.
ii. “Proskuneo is the adoration and thanksgiving in word, gesture, prayer, confession, songs of praise and thanksgiving that extols God the Father and Jesus the Son.” (Mills, 189)
iii. David Ingles tells us, “Thus, to worship means ‘to ascribe worth or value, or to count worthy.’ When we worship God, we acknowledge that He is worthy. We also acknowledge -Who He is and what He is” (182).
1. David did this throughout the Psalms. Listen to Psalm 108:1-5:
a. “My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth.”
iv. It’s not a weekly event but a daily act of genuine love for Him that we can join in with at any time!
1. Acts 2:46: Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
v. Do you praise him and worship him daily -or just weekly? Do you know who you are praising and why you should praise Him? Do you join in with the continual voice of prayer and praise in your day? Do you align your voice and heart with the others?
1. Rich Mullen sang a song before his death that was very powerful in concert and he said it was one of His most meaningful songs. Listen to the words to his song “Creed”
2. Pastor Beth is going to come sings that song for us today. But make sure you listen to the words as she sings:
I believe in God the Father
Almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit’
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
He was crucified and dead and buried
And I believe that what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man
I believe that He who suffered was crucified, buried and dead
He descended into hell and on the third day, He arose again
He ascended into Heaven where He sits at God’s mighty right hand
I believe that He’s returning
To judge the quick and the dead of the sons of men
I believe in God the Father
Almighty make of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son, our Lord
I believe in the Holy Spirit
The communion of Saints
The forgiveness of sins
I believe in the resurrection,
I believe in a life that never ends
And I believe that what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me. It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man.
The song speaks about who it is we praise and why! Rich knew who it was that he sang too and wrote praise songs too.
• This song is based off the Apostle’s Creed and he says it is the truth of Scripture and of the Lord which makes us who we are and shapes us into what we are. So it is important to remember that what we believe defines and makes us who we are. He adds that our belief in God should make us who we are.
vi. Interview Pastor Beth about worship and prep for a worship service.
1. Pastor Beth what is worship to you?
2. How do you and the team prepare for worship?
3. What would you say if people said you are putting on a show in our worship time?
vii. The question needs to be asked this morning, “Who is this One I should see when we worship and praise?” Should it be Pastor Beth, other worship leaders, the awesome musicians? Should I be looking at the Pastor or others in the congregation?
1. Third Day answers this question by singing a song that says we should see the “King of Glory”
a. His name is Jesus – He is the Messiah – He is the King of kings and The Lord of lords. He is the Prince of Peace, Mighty God. He is the Alpha the Omega – the One from the Beginning and the One that will be there in the end. He is the God in the flesh – He is the deliverer. He is our Everlasting Father and our Wonderful Counselor.
b. He is your personal Messiah and Savior
i. The one – the only Son of God and the deliverer of your soul. He is the one who heals and sets people free!
c. Not only is He the King of Glory but remember and understand that He is also Love – personified.
2. There is another song by Third Day that helps us to see and understand who the Lord is and how this truth should shape us into what He wants us to be.
viii. Third Day sings about His love – “Your Love Oh Lord!” Listen to what His Love has done for each of us:
1. His righteousness sets us free.
2. He is the one that gives us strength when we are weak.
3. His love it reaches to the Heaven’s and delivers us from this loveless world.
4. His righteousness is a mighty mountain that gives us right standing with God. His justice is full of mercy and grace
a. “Your Love Oh Lord”, Third Day
ix. Action Point: Are you willing to lift your voice to the King for His marvelous gift of life to you? For the spiritual gifts he has given you and the Church? For The Church He started for you?
1. Will you lift your voice?
2. Do you want to find your strength in your weakness?
3. Will you stretch your hands to the sky and worship Him?
4. Will you allow the Lord to shape you into what He wants you to be?
5. Will you choose to quit trying to shape the Lord into your image and allow Him to shape you into what he wants you to be?
6. Will you today choose to serve Him and not think He is here to serve you?
c. Here are some Scripture verses to remind us who it is we worship and why we at Christian Hills choose to sing, shout, clap, play instruments, praise God verbally, and even pray to the Lord in our worship service for a certain period of time.
i. Psalm 145: 18 - “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
ii. Isaiah 55:6 - “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”
iii. Romans 10:12 - “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
1. When we really understand who it is we are praying too and praising it should change us from within and teach us how we should humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and start using our spiritual gifts for the sake of others.
2. (7th reason)Because The Church operates in the Spiritual Gifts of Holy Spirit for the sake of the Body of Christ (inward).
a. Scripture Texts:
i. I Corinthians 12:1 "Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant...4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit...7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good..."
ii. 1 Corinthians 14: "1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts...26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue,or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church...40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
iii. Romans 12:1-21:
1. The gifts are bestowed – placed in individuals within the church for a purpose a divine reason:
a. The Body of Christ and their spiritual gifts are to edify the church and it’s people including leadership.
b. The gifts are to be in operation within the church to build up the church not tear it down.
c. The spiritual gifts of the members of the church are to be used to strengthen the church and make it more powerful in its impact on the world’s belief systems – this is done to see personal lives transformed and community transformation.
b. A church which is flowing in the spiritual gifts and being led by the Holy Spirit will transform the world with the message and the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
i. I Corinthians 14:12 ‘Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.”
1. Are you using your gifts to build up the church?
c. Highlight Wagner’s Spiritual gifts test and talk about the gifts from his list.
i. Show test booklet.
3. (8th reason)Because The Church is a place where people are being baptized and testifying to what the Lord has done in their lives (Acts 2:38, 41) (upward and inward and outward).
a. See the sequence in the word Repent and be Baptized
i. Acts 2:38,41:
1. 38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call...” 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
b. This is what our Baptismal service is about - This is what church is about - it’s being obedient to fulfill the Great Commission of the Lord.
i. People will be overcoming by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and they will briefly tell what the Lord has done in their lives at baptism.
1. Revelation 12:11 “They overcame him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.”
a. How they repented and received the gift of forgiveness.
b. How that act changed their lives and hearts.
ii. Baptism means – Is an outward witness of what Jesus has done in your heart and life. It is acknowledging to those observing your baptism what Jesus has done for you in your life.
1. See Romans 6
iii. The impact of Baptism – I find it amazing how many people who watch a baptismal service are impacted by what they see and hear others say at their baptism.
1. It changes the lives of the ones watching as much as the one who is being baptized.
4. (9th reason) Because The church is a family – a fellowship of God the Father and His children.
a. Scripture Texts:
i. Acts 2:41, 42: 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
ii. Psalm 68:6: God sets the lonely in families we are told in this verse. This what he did in Acts.
iii. Romans 8:12-17: 12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co–heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
1. Abba Father - this phrase means this for us today, "Hi dad I am having a rough day today can we talk? Dad's response "Absolutely let's you and I go find a quiet place to talk over coffee were no one will interrupt us!"
iv. Here is a promise from "Abba" or "Papa" to you and I from 2 Corinthians 6:18: "I will be a Father to you,and you will be my sons and daughters says the Lord Almighty."
b. Families are places where everyone knows your name. Do you recall the T.V. series Cheers. That was a place where everyone knew your name. It was their family.
i. Church is to be like this a place where everyone knows you name.
1. A place where they know you are not perfect but they love you because you’re a blood relative (Jesus sacrifice makes us blood relatives if we have accepted him as our Lord and Savior!)
2. The tv show of the ex-amish and the importance of family.
a. The show reveals what happens to kids shunned by their Amish families.
ii. It’s a family that loves you for who you are faults and all.
iii. It’s a family because it’s the place where we receive love, comfort and even redirection in life sometime.
iv. It’s a family because family is the place where we receive love and nurture.
v. It’s a place where we laugh and cry together and find out it’s going to be okay.
vi. It’s a safe place where we run to get away from the storms of life.
vii. It's a place were you may argue and disagree but still love one another.
1. 1 Corinthians 13
c. The church is to break bread together and fellowship with one another it’s a daily thing not a weekly deal but it parallels a family and having regular meals together (Acts 2:42, 46).
i. The church is where we fellowship together and eat and talk and share about our day.
1. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer...46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts..."
ii. It’s the place where we share our resources with one another – our food- our encouragement.
1. The church is where we find strength and support to press on in the Lord.
2. I Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
3. Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, all the more as you see the day approaching.”
4. The church is to be a place where the believers meet every day for the fellowship and the joy of being together (Acts 2: 46).
5. There is no place in the church for rugged self centered individuals and lone rangers. – it’s not New Testament Christianity!
d. The church is to be a large support group for the family of God where we come to be built up in him.
i. Remember it’s His plan – not man’s plan!
ii. The church is to be like Barnabas, “One who encourages one another!” (Acts 4:36-37)
1. 36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
2. We are to encourage one another!
e. Church is God's Family – God is our Abba Father, your Papa and mine.
5. (10th reason)Because The Church is the counter culture influence on this world –we are united by having the mind of Christ not the mind of the world (Acts 2:44)(outward).
a. Scripture Texts:
i. James 3:13-4:12;
1. Two Kinds of Wisdom
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace–loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
b. Why did the New Testament church have everything in common because they died to their own self-centered ideas and allowed their mind to be renewed with the mind of Christ.
i. Acts 2:44:44All the believers were together and had everything in common.
1. They understood the eternal picture rather than the earthly picture.
2. They understood that not getting my way was biblical – It was about doing things His way!
c. It’s a place where selfishness has died and the unity of the body of Christ has emerged.
i. The Bible said ALL! It can happen here too!
Conclusion:
The Church Who Needs It?
Hebrews 10:25: Let 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.
The Bible clearly supports and expects Christians to be a part of the church. Church is a community of believers who come together on the Lords Day to worship God and to support each other. Scripture does not show Paul, Silas or Peter going into a city just to make believers and then after conversion sending them home to be lone ranger believers instead these new believers - the disciples of Jesus started churches.
Summary of points 1-10 of why we need the church:
1. Because Jesus created the church and set up its divine mission not mankind (upward focus –inward focus –outward focus)
2. Because to be a part of The Church of Jesus you have to repent of sin and accept Jesus as you Lord and Savior in a verbal and action orientated way (upward focus).
3. Because Jesus is the head of the church – not men, women, denominations, committees, boards, elders or deacons (upward focus).
4. Because the church has people called to it by God (you may be one of them) who steward and lead the church as directed by Jesus and the Holy Spirit (inward focus).
5. Because the church is designed by Jesus to teach, correct and discipline through love the Body of Christ.
6. Because The church is a place to pray and to worship God together (upward)
7. Because The Church operates in the Spiritual Gifts of Holy Spirit for the sake of the Body of Christ (inward).
8. Because The Church is a place where people are being baptized and testifying to what the Lord has done in their lives (Acts 2:38, 41) (upward and inward and outward).
9. Because The church is a family – a fellowship of God the Father and His children.
10. Because The Church is the counter culture influence on this world –we are united by having the mind of Christ not the mind of the world (Acts 2:44)(outward).
