The Churches Message and Mission
Corinthians 2 5:14-20 I: A Local Church, A Local Message. 1. The New Testament Church is to witness at home. 2. The early Christians considered it an essential part of their lives. 3. The churches reputation and welfare was as important as their own. II: Fellowship Was Essential. 1. Baptist always have put truth before fellowship. 2. Size has never made a church. 3. Love for one another was a must. 4. A common experience was the basis for fellowship. 5. There was a fellowship in obedience (Baptism and Lord’s Supper). 6. Fellowship in learning. 7. Fellowship in the worship services. 8. Fellowship in sharing. 9. Fellowship is essential to a healthy church. III: The Church’s Message & Mission: 1. “All have sinned and come short.” 2....
Sanctified Plutocrats
Acts 18:1-11, Romans 1:16-32 “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God…” This city of Corinth would be a real test to the power of the gospel Paul preached. I: The Wickedness of Corinth and Her Power: 1. (Pelopnesus) Lower Greece & with Macedonia and Trace. Located on a rock 200 feet above sea level. The citadel located 1600 above sea level. Shone like a city of Gold. 2. Commanded the passage to Macedonia. 3. Athens the intellectual: Sparta the military, Corinth the commercial. 4. At the time of Christ one of the worlds most important cities. 5. Here the Isthmian games were held. “Vanity Fair.” 6. The temple of Aphrodite or Venus the chief, to be the debauched servants in that infamous temple. 7. Here...
Perfecting of the Saints
Eph. 4:1-16 I: The Worthy Walk: 1. Worthy of your calling. 2. “Lowliness,” a modest opinion of self, the demand for recognition is absent. 3. “Meekness,” absence of a spirit of resentment or revenge, a willingness to suffer without retaliation. 4. Forbearing one another. 5. “Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Avoid strife, pursue unity. 6. Seven sources of Christian unity. verses 5-6. II: Diversity of Gifts In One Body, Verses 4-16. 1. Some apostles have seen Jesus. 2. Prophets, Evangelists 3. Pastors and teachers. III: “For the Perfecting of the Saints.” 1. Pastor & teacher were combined here. 2. “Pastor has three responsibilities to perfect the saints, to do the work of the ministry, to...
New Testament Worship Service
Psalms 42:1, Hebrews 10:24-25, & John 4:23-24 The Church has a social function, but it must not become a social club. The church is primarily a fellowship of baptized believers and the center of that fellowship, is Christ. When true worship goes, a Church becomes self-centered and unconcerened about the welfare of God’s house and God’s message. I: Man Must Worship. 1. There is a spiritual vacuum when we do not worship. 2. Adam and Eve were taught. 3. Cain refused God’s way. 4. Noah built an altar. 5. Abraham built an altar. 6. Moses was given instructions as to how to worship. II: The Nature of Worship: 1. Private and public. People that do not worship in private are not apt to worship in public. 2. Worship cannot replace work. One cannot...
A Glorious Church
Acts 2:1-6, Eph. 5:20-27 I: Glorious in its Beginning. 1. Built upon the solid rock Christ Jesus. 2. It began as a beacon light in a dark and confused world. 3. Christ chose the workers to launch the church on its early journey. 4. He paid the full price for the men and women that would make up the church. II: Glorious in the Power of Pentecost: 1. The masses of people were shaken from their sleep of death. 2. The sluggard was stirred and the careless took heed. 3. The crowds came to see the marvels of a church filled with power. 4. The church generated enough force to stop the drift of the passing multitude. A revival broke out when the church was filled with power. III: Glorious in Conquest: Like A Mighty Army Moves the Church of God. 1. They went everywhere...