Sermon Central
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The Program Of The Church
Contributed by Andrew Stringer on Jan 29, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: What is the church supposed to do? The Christian Army is the only one what shoots its own wounded! Find out how we are supposed to treat wounded, weary, and worthy brethren!
The Program of the Church
Preaching through Galatians #13
THE PROGRAM OF THE CHURCH
Introduction:
Many Christians and non-Christians alike are confused about the church. Many of them think of it as a place to have their problems solved. Some only come to the church when they have pressing physical needs, and the minute the church helps them out, they ditch the church until next time! The church is the body of Christ. You might say, the church is the physical representation of the Holy Spirit to the world.
If you remember, we just talked about walking in the Spirit in Galatians 5. The last part of the chapter discussed the fruit of the Spirit. You might say it was the fruit of the Spirit described. Tonight we will look at the fruit of the Spirit demonstrated!
So back to our title—the Program of the Church. The best thing a church and the people in the church can do is to bear Spiritual fruit! How do we demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit?
I. By Restoring the Wayward Brother (v. 1; II Timothy 2:24-26)
A. Requires Spirituality—"ye that are spiritual"
B. Requires Sweetness—"spirit of meekness"
C. Requires Seriousness—"considering thyself"
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (I Corinthians 10:12).
"Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20).
II. By Refreshing the Weary Brother (v. 2-3)
A. This fulfills the law of Christ (v. 2; John 13:34; 15:12).
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34).
"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12).
B. This requires the lowliness of Christ (v. 3; Romans 12:3; John 13:14).
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Romans 12:3).
"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet" (John 13:14).
III. By Remaining a Worthy Brother (v.4-5)
A. Prove your own work for Christ (v. 4).
B. Rejoice in your own walk with Christ (v. 4).
C. Carry your own weight to Christ (I Peter 5:7).
IV. By Rewarding the Working Brother (v. 6-9; Romans 15:27; I Corinthians 9:11,14)
A. Because of His Position
1. One of Service
2. One of Sacrifice
B. Because of the Precept (Malachi 3:10)
C. Because of the Promise (v. 7; Malachi 3:10-11)
1. You reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7).
2. You reap more than you sow (Luke 6:38).
3. You reap in proportion to what you sow (II Corinthians 9:6).
"He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully".
4. You reap in a different season than you sow (Galatians 6:9).
...so, keep on sowing (I Corinthians 15:58).
Conclusion:
Verse 10 kind of sums up our responsibility as Christians. When we see a genuine need and have the ability to help, we should—especially if it is a member in good standing at our church!
Let us demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Ghost in our lives to the world today. Let us bring a fresh breeze from the Holy Spirit into the lives of those around us who are suffocating in the spiritual vacuum of this selfish world! As we learn how really to walk in the Spirit, we will begin fulfilling the program and mission of God’s church in this world!
I. Restoring the Wayward Brother (v. 1)
A. Requires spirituality
B. Requires sweetness
C. Requires seriousness
II. Refreshing the Weary Brother (v. 2-3)
A. This fulfills the Law of Christ
B. This expresses the Love of Christ
C. This requires the Lowliness of Christ
III. Remaining a Worthy Brother (v.4-5)
A. Prove your own work for Christ
B. Rejoice in your own walk with Christ
C. Carry your own weight to Christ!
IV. Rewarding the Working Brother (v. 6-9)
A. Because of his helpfulness
B. Because of God’s command
C. Because of the harvest
