Reclaiming The Ground Stand Together

Reclaiming The Ground Ephesians 6:10-13 Stand 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Reclaiming The Ground Ephesians 6:10-13 Stand Stand Still: Be Captivated Stand Firm: Be Confident Stand Together: Be Committed

They prayed together They worshipped together They gave together They shared together They served together They sought the Lord together They missioned together

Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.

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,

Acts 4:24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. Sovereign Lord, they said, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

Acts 5:12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon s Colonnade.

Acts 6:2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

Acts 14:27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 15:30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.

Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.

The Church - Together A Bride A Building A Body

1. A Bride: John 3:29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. (John the Baptist)

1. A Bride: Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

1. A Bride: Rev 21:2-4 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Look! God s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

1. A Bride Becoming A New Creation Belonging - A New Community

2. A Building: 1 Cor 3:9 For we are co-workers in God s service; you are God s field, God s building

2. A Building: 1 Cor 3:16 Don t you know that you yourselves are God s temple and that God s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God s temple, God will destroy that person; for God s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

2. A Building: Ezekiel 43 V.5: A Place of God s Glory V.7: A Place of God s Throne V.7: A Place where God Lives V.12: A Place of God s Holiness

3. A Body Motivational Gifts Ministry Gifts Manifestation Gifts

A Body: Manifestation Gifts To glorify Christ To edify the church 4 th list in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 and includes workers of miracles, gifts of healing, those able to help others and gifts of administration.

A Body: Motivational Gifts We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8:

Prophecy: A specific word from God to the church Serving: Showing God s love by meeting practical needs Teaching: Discovering and speaking truth to the church Encouraging: enabling others through specific words Giving: Sharing resources in practical ways Leading: Enabling and motivating others Showing Mercy: Demonstrating God s love In the context of Romans 12

A Body: Ministry Gifts So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13:

A Body: Ministry Gifts Apostle: (ἀπόστολος): sent one pioneer Prophet:(προφήτης): words from God s heart Evangelist: (εὐαγγελιστής): heart for souls Pastor: (ποιμήν): caring love Teacher: (διδάσκαλος): unpacking truth

A Body: Manifestation Gifts Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

(σοφία) Seeing earth from heaven s point of view The gift of wisdom in action: Saying the right word to the right person at the right time

(γνῶσις) Knowing without prior knowledge The gift of knowledge in action: Speaking about specific issues or circumstances in someone s life to lead them to take action and respond to God

(πίστις) believing above and beyond the call of duty The gift of faith in action: Imparting confidence having heard the heartbeat of God for a situation or circumstance leading to extraordinary action

Χάρισμα = gifts of grace + ἴαμα = cure God reversing the natural order of things The gift of healing in action: Knowing God s will for people and situations and being a vehicle for God to intervene can affect body, mind and spirit

δύναμις Acting above, through and beyond our senses The gift of powers in action: God demonstrating His presence in a way that leaves no doubt that He is there

(προφητεία) A word from God for today or tomorrow The gift of prophecy in action: Reinforcing God s message to the church and to the world

Being in tune with spiritual warfare Distinguishing between spirits in action: Having discernment to know and the courage to take action

(γλῶσσα) A new language that God gives when human words are not enough The gift of tongues in action: Often used in private sometimes in public worship but always with interpretation usually directed to God

(ἑρμηνεία) Translation The gift of interpretation in action: Interpreting the speaking of tongues so that all can understand

(προφητεία) A word from God for today or tomorrow The gift of prophecy in action: Reinforcing God s message to the church and to the world I Corinthians 14: 1-3 strengthening, encouragement and comfort

Reclaiming The Ground 24 Hours of Prayer Saturday 16 th April 10.00am St Michael s Hall Gift Day Sunday 17 th April 10.00am Graylingwell Chapel

Reclaiming The Ground Church Members AGM Monday 21 st March 7.00pm for 7.30pm start Fordwater School

Reclaiming The Ground Church Weekend Away Saturday May 21 and Sunday May 22 Dalesdown. Speakers include: Revd Carl Smith And Students from IBTI The Father Heart Of God Book now with Dani Taylor

Reclaiming The Ground Stand Together