1. Members of God's Family. "You are members of God's own family, citizens of God's country, and you belong to God's household with every other Christian."Ephesians 2:19b (Living Bible) "God's family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." I Timothy 3:15b (GWT)
2. The step you are taking is a step in the right direction. When you unite with a local church, you become a part of one expression of God's Family. Rick Warren observes: "While your relationship to Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private." We are joined together with one another. Paul compares the church with a body and declares that we are the Body of Christ. When you hurt, the whole body hurts, when you rejoice we all rejoice together, etc. Family members don't always agree about everything, but they stick together and work things out. Normally a family member doesn't quit the family and find another family.
3. We discover our role in life through our relationship with others. We do a Gift Discovery to help us know where your strengths lie, but our gifts are developed in relationship to others. That is one of the reasons we have Connections. Our small groups help us to find friends who will encourage and exhort us to go on in the Lord, continually growing in favor and in the knowledge of Jesus our Lord.
4. The Church will outlive the universe and so will your role in it. God's Word teaches us to love our spiritual family. Learning to walk in love is the pathway to maturity. I think it was Charles Schmitt who observed: " I saw the Lord coming in His church, so He could come for His church, so He could come with His church". This has eternal implications. (1) When we learn to walk according to the Royal Law of love it is because Jesus is gaining His rightful place in our life. (2) When the church has made herself ready, the Lord will return and catch her away to Himself. (3) Then He will come with His church to put down, for all eternity the rebellion that is so prevalent in the world. "We shall reign with Him".
5. Why You Need A Church Family:
A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
(1) A church family identifies you as a genuine believer.
(2) A church family moves you out of self centered isolation.
(3) A church family helps you develop spiritual muscle.
(4) The Body of Christ needs you.
(5) You will share in Christ's mission in the world.
(6) A church family will help keep you from backsliding.
1. True Function of An Elder: Acts 20:17, 28-32
1. vs.17 One Church/Multiple Elders
2. vs. 28 Always Alert/Keep Watch; Overseers; Shepherds”
3. vs. 29 Cultic People; “Even from among you”
4. vs. 31 “Be On Guard” |
4. Provision For A Significant Place of Service In The Body:
1. In The Realm of Your Gifting
2. Gift Inventory tells you and us where you will be fulfilled
3. We need the function of your gifts |
2. Prayer Support:
1. Monday Staff Meeting
2. Special times/Elders Meetings
3. Sunday & Wednesday—Elders available
4. Crisis times |
5. Provision for Balanced Teaching:
1. Fivefold Ministry
2. Different Teachers on Wednesday Night
3. Special Prophetic Meeting
4. Sunday Morning teaching/ Bible classes/ Preaching |
3. Provide Arena For Meaningful Relationships:
1. Connections Small Group Ministry
2. Worship Team
3. Men’s or Women’s Groups
4. Children & Youth Ministry
If six months from now you haven’t begun to develop a meaningful relationship, perhaps you should ask yourself some questions or talk your elder. |
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I. We want to ask that you be regular in attendance in Sunday Worship and build relationships by joining a Connections group. We ask that you prepare your heart beforehand so that you will be able to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. It would be wonderful if everyone would be punctual. In other words:
a. BE HERE
b. BE ON TIME
c. COME PREPARED
d. ENTER INTO WHAT GOD IS DOING BY HIS SPIRIT
We can never attain to God's best without willing, eager participants.
II. Be Actively Involved In Body Ministry
a. In order to do this you must know where you are gifted spiritually.
b. You must learn to hear God's voice and distinguish between God's voice and the voice of your soul. Begin by responding to what He speaks as you read the Word. In doing this consistently you will begin to know His voice. Obedience is the key. If God's Spirit instructs you and you do not respond positively, nothing is learned and it becomes more difficult to hear the next time He speaks. The voice of the soul is filtered through emotions, desires, the mind etc. The Spirit is in direct contact with God and is sharpened and strengthened by constant and ongoing fellowship with God.
c. Desire spiritual gifts. I Corinthians 14:1,12 Amplified Bible
d. Exercise faith to minister your gifts.
e. Stir up your gifts. II Timothy 1:6
III. Tithe To This Local Church. (The Storehouse)
a. Old Covenant Genesis 14:18; 28:20-22; Malachi 4:10-12
b. New Covenant Matthew 23:23; Hebrews 7:4-10 Levi paid tithes
c. Windows of heaven. Malachi 4:10-12 Windows are for "vision" When we see to it that God receives what belongs to Him, He increases your revelation and enables you to know your purpose in life, which enhances your ability to know precisely the will of God for your life.
d. Abraham to Levi (4 generations) Blessings visited on children. (Deut. 7:9)
IV. Abide In Our Church Covenant.
a. Read Church Covenant Together
b. Address Highlights
c. Questions?.
