TEXT: EPH3:1-21 (Various)
TIME & PLACE: 16/03/08
SUBJ: CHURCH
THEME: THE
IMPORTANCE OF THE CHURCH
P/S: E.C. CAN
BETTER UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHURCH
T/S: BY REALIZING
SEVERAL DIFFERENT FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS
CONCERNING HER AS SET FORTH IN THE SCRIPTURES.
INTRO: I
think many today in Churches all over the world have forgotten the importance
of the Local New Testament Bible Believing Church. Because of that those
needing and looking for help will many times not receive it because those that
have been entrusted with it don’t understand the Churches purpose. Listen
I came half way across the world because I believe that every city, village,
Province, Country and people should have a Local New Testament Church to go to.
I can not even imagine not having a Church in my life. My Church is as
important...no rather more important than my own family. I don’t have
much of a family without my Church. Yet sometimes those that have one could
really careless. I don’t believe that to be the case with those of us
here but do want to reinforce to all of us in these days that The Church holds
the keys to all that man needs. Jesus said He would build His Church and the
gates of Hell would not prevail against it. Sometimes the gates of Hell
don’t need to prevail against it because the people in it have prevented
it already.....something to think about. I just want to look at several truths
I believe we need to be reminded of concerning the Church. With that thought I
want to preach on this subject tonight......”THE CHURCH” It’s
the greatest institution known or rather should I say unknown to man. I would
to goodness I had known about the Church when I was sinking deep in sin far
from the peaceful shore! However someone came and brought me the glad news and
since that day I have found my place at The CHURCH. Some truths I have found
concerning the Church....
I.
IT IS A SAVING PLACE Act
2:47
“Praising God, and having favour
with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should
be saved.”
A. AS INDICATED BY THE
CHURCHES MESSAGE
1Jn 1:5-7 This then is the message which we have
heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no
darkness at all. 1:6
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and
do not the truth: 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we
have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.
B. AS INDICATED BY THE
CHURCHES
Mat 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
C. AS INDICATED BY THE
CHURCHES MINISTRIES
1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even
so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God.
Note:
Listen I just want to say tonight so that we understand this......The Church is
the only place that is a Saving Place. If people are going to be saved it will
be as a result of THE CHURCH!
II.
IT
IS A STRENGTHENING PLACE Eph 6:10
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of
his might.”
A. YOU SHOULD FIND THE
PRESENCE OF GOD WHERE YOU GET YOUR FELLOWSHIP
1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we
unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship
is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1Jo
1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from
all sin.
B. YOU SHOULD FIND THE
PARDON OF GOD WHERE YOU GET FORGIVENESS
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
C. YOU SHOULD FIND THE
PROVISION OF GOD WHERE YOU GET YOUR FUTURE
Phi 4:18-19 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having
received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour
of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 4:19 But my God
shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
D. YOU SHOULD FIND THE
POWER OF GOD WHERE YOU GET YOUR FREEDOM
2Ti 1:6-9 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou
stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of
a sound mind. 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,
nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel
according to the power of God; 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with
an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose
and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Note:
Listen I am not sure if all of us realize this...or maybe the young folks may
think it is better outside once they leave the home. Let me say this having
been in both places....this is the only place you can receive strength!
III.
IT IS A STABILIZING PLACE 1Pe
5:7-10
“Casting
all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour: 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same
afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 5:10 But the God of all grace, who
hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have
suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
A. TO HELP KEEP YOUR
MIND RIGHT
Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 12:2 And be
not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will
of God.
B. TO HELP KEEP YOUR
MORALS RIGHT
Phi 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh
the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I
may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the gospel;
C. TO HELP KEEP YOUR
MARRIAGE RIGHT
Eph 5:20-26 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and
the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 5:21 Submitting yourselves one
to another in the fear of God. 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own
husbands, as unto the Lord. 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as
Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 5:24
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be
to their own husbands in every thing. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as
Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 5:26 That he might
sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Note:
I am Stabalized at the Church because it gives me the right message. I am not
carried about with every style and story going on in the world.
IV.
IT IS A SERVING PLACE Phil2:4-5
“Look
not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
A. TEACHES US TO BE
SELFLESS TO OTHERS
Rom 1:14-15 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the
Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 1:15 So, as much as in me
is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at
Phi 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but
every man also on the things of others.
B. TEACHES US TO BE
SENSITIVE TO OTHERS
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to
another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do
good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of
faith.
C. TEACHES US TO BE
SERVANTS TO OTHERS
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty;
only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve
one another.
Note: As
Christ demonstrated to us that He came to serve so He left us the Church as a
place to Serve. Not only others, but Him and in serving Him we serve others.
“when did we see thee naked and in prison”
V.
IT
IS A SOUL WINNING PLACE Act
2:47
“Praising
God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved.”
A. KNOWN FOR THE WAY
THAT IT PREACHES THE GOSPEL OF GOD
Rom 1:13-17 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren,
that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I
might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 1:14 I
am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to
the unwise. 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the
gospel to you that are at
B. KNOWN FOR THE WAY
THAT IT PROCLAIMS THE GRACE OF GOD
1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his
grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more
abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
C. KNOWN FOR THE WAY
THAT IT PRACTICES THE GIVING OF GOD
1Jo 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God,
because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives
for the brethren.
1Jo 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to
love one another.
Note: Pro 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of
life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
VI.
IT IS
A. WHERE HER MEMBERS
GIVE THEIR TIME
Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is
high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than
when we believed.
B. WHERE HER MEMBERS
GIVE THEIR TALENTS
Rom 12:5-8 So we, being many, are one body in
Christ, and every one members one of another. 12:6 Having then gifts differing
according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us
prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 12:7 Or ministry, let us
wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 12:8 Or
he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with
simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with
cheerfulness.
C. WHERE HER MEMBERS
GIVE THEIR TITHE
2Co 9:7-9 Every man according as he purposeth in his
heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth
a cheerful giver. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound
toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may
abound to every good work: 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he
hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Note: I would just like to say as we
meet week in and week out at our place, may we who are the Church have a
greater appreciation and awareness of who we really are and what that
entails…...