Matthew
16:18; Hebrews 10:25
I.
Introduction
II.
Lesson
A.
Old Testament Preparation for the Church (Acts 7:37,38)
1.
What to
believe was already given in the Old Testament (Jn 5:39)
2.
What the
Jews were as a nation, the church is to be as a group
3.
How the
Jews failed to follow the Lord by faith should be our warning
4.
God is
only able to save people who know and believe the word of God
B.
Misconceptions about the Church
1.
That it
is a building, or a Temple, or a holy place
2.
That it
is the repository of faith that to get faith, you come to the church
(see Rom 10:17; Jn 17:17)
3.
That it
is any one specific group only or that it is not any specific group
C.
Christs Definition of His Kind of a Church
1.
A Gathering of His People (Jn 1:10-13; 10:27)
a.
Born
again people
b.
Baptized
people sign of commitment
2.
Meeting in His Place (Mt 18:20)
a.
It is a
regular gathering of believers to a place
b.
It is
local as much as possible
c.
For
exhortation not entertainment (Heb 10:25)
3.
Seeking His Presence (Mt 18:20)
a.
All is
worthless if Jesus is not here
b.
He comes
to a meeting with a purpose to conform us to His own likeness
4.
Reflecting His Praise it is a gathering for His pleasure
a.
We get a
blessing for sure
b.
But we
gather to be a blessing to Jesus focus is on Him
5.
Obeying His Preaching
a.
The
preaching of His Word (Mt 24:35)
1)
Testimonies
are great
2)
Praying
is fantastic
3)
Fellowshipping
is wonderful
4)
But
PREACHING is the Bees Nees (1Cor 1:17,18,22,23)
b.
All other
reasons for gathering are dirt compared to the purpose of
preaching
6.
Following His Plans His ways of doing things His will according to His written
word
a.
For our
preparation He knows what we need most
b.
For our
protection He designed church to be the BEST place to be when the doors are
open no other place is as safe spiritually!
c.
All done
according to the words of God especially in the New Testament
1)
Not
according to feelings
2)
Or to
experiences
3)
Or
according to headquarters - hierarchy
4)
But
according to the clear instructions in the Bible!
7.
Participating in the World
a.
We
dont switch on in a church building, and then off again when we go home and
to school
b.
We are
what we are 24/7
c.
We affect
the community we live it as
1)
Light
2)
Salt
3)
Voice
D.
If you
find a group of believers doing these things, you have found a true church!
E.
So, Jesus
Started His Church
1.
By
Calling out people to follow Him (Mt 4:18-20)
a.
By faith
willing to obey His word
b.
Fully
not half-heartedly
2.
By
Baptising them see this also in the Jews out of Egypt
a.
Proof of
their commitment
b.
Public
identification with other believers
3.
By
Teaching them 3 ½ years
a.
From the
word of God
b.
From His
own life our example
4.
By
Changing them
a.
By His
word
b.
Through
each situation they face nothing is an accident
c.
If a
church is not seeing peoples lives changed, they are failing
5.
By
Empowering them
a.
At
Pentecost first
b.
Now
available upon request (Lk 11:11-13; Eph 5:18)
6.
By Using
them
a.
God uses
all people the unsaved, and the wicked
b.
God uses
Christians especially
1)
Preaching
2)
Praying
3)
Paying -
Financing their projects themselves
7.
By
Sending them
a.
A church
that is not evangelistic, dies
b.
A church
that is not duplicating itself, is disobedient
III.
Conclusion