The Church God s Idea

Transcription

1 The Church God s Idea Review of Part I I. Originator & Architect II. The Birth of the Church III. To Be or Not to Be a Member 1

2 Review of Part I I. Originator & Architect Jesus said, I will build An ongoing process Jesus is the Head of the Church Church: Greek word is ekklesia. called out from others. Review of Part I II. The Birth of the Church What did the early Church do? Teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. The Church is God s agenda for the world. The Church is indestructible and will exist for eternity. 2

3 Review of Part I III. To Be or Not to Be a Member To become a member of a local expression of God s family. Review of Part II: What s Missing? C H C H I. The Stories II. The Wayward Son III. The Father IV. Everything That s Missing Matters 3

4 Review of Part II: What s Missing? C H C H I. The Stories Story 1: Luke 15:1-7 The Lost Sheep Story 2: Luke 15:8-10 The Lost Coin Story 3: Luke 15:11-32 The Wayward Son Review of Part II: What s Missing? C H C H II. The Wayward Son Luke 15:13 Not many days after He had to liquidate his inheritance. journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions Broken, bruised, and disillusioned, he heads home. 4

5 Review of Part II: What s Missing? C H C H III. The Father He runs (Verse 20). He kisses (Verse 20). The best robe (Verse 22). Rings and sandals (Verse 22). The fatted calf celebration (Verse 23). Review of Part II: What s Missing? C H C H IV. Everything That s Missing Matters What s missing warrants an intentional search. 5

6 Review of Part III: Authentic Community I. Created for authentic community II. Connecting in authentic community III. What authentic community feels like IV. Authentic community requires 3 things Review of Part III: Authentic Community I. Created for authentic community While our relationship to Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private. 6

7 Review of Part III: Authentic Community II. Connecting in authentic community We connect through vulnerability. A place to practice what we believe. Mutual participation. Review of Part III: Authentic Community III. What authentic community feels like Authentic community is like a once in a lifetime celebration for a whole nation and brings life to a whole ecosystem. 7

8 Review of Part III: Authentic Community IV. Authentic community requires 3 things Small groups of people Less is better Commitment Time I. Doctrine II. Consider Baptism III. We Must Teach IV. Jesus Promised Review of Part IV 8

9 Review of Part IV I. Doctrine They continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine. Jesus said, observe all things I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:20) The Church Who s the Church? We are. We are commanded by Christ to make disciples as we go. Review of Part IV II. Consider Baptism It is more than undergoing a ritual involving water. The Greek word for baptism means identification. 9

10 Review of Part IV II. Consider Baptism This spiritual reality is to be made visible through the believers identification and involvement with a local church body. My identification is not in a building, not in my spiritual gift, not in what I do but who I am in. I m in Christ! Review of Part IV III. We Must Teach Not knowledge alone, but apply the truth to daily life. Discipleship is a spiritual process of growing and applying the truth to our daily lives. 10

11 Review of Part IV IV. Jesus Promised And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Lo, I means even I or I myself. The Church God s Idea (Part V) Giving Thanks in All Circumstances 11

12 I. Why God Commands Us to Give Thanks in Every Circumstance In good times: a. Promotes God s glory. b. Develops humility in us. c. Makes us appreciate what we have been given. I. Why God Commands Us to Give Thanks in Every Circumstance In difficult times: a. It s an act of faith. b. Develops our faith walk. c. Produces character. 12

13 II. What Can We Thank God for in Tragic Times? We give thanks for a God who is working beyond the circumstances. We give thanks because we affirm, trust and celebrate the character of God. Psalm 100:5 The Lord is good. II. What Can We Thank God for in Tragic Times? We give thanks for a sure hope beyond the grave. Hebrews 6:19a We give thanks for the Saviour who makes this hope possible. We give thanks for a supernatural strength to get through devastation. 13

14 II. What Can We Thank God for in Tragic Times? We give thanks for our High Priest, Jesus, who prays for us. Hebrews 8:1b Romans 8:34b III. Giving Thanks in Good Times We owe everything to God. Romans 1:21 Every single day is a gift from the Lord. We often neglect to give thanks in the good times. 1 Thessalonians 5:

15 Scriptures I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 15

16 Psalm 100:5 (NKJV) 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations Hebrews 6:19a (NKJV) 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, 16

17 Hebrews 8:1b (NKJV) 1 We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, Romans 8:34b (NKJV) 34 It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 17

18 Romans 1:21 (NKJV) 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 18