WHAT IS CHURCH ALL ABOUT?
I. Church
A. The word causes great emotion - sweet and bitter
B. Is a building, place, group meeting on Sunday?
C. What is Church all about ?
D. Key Verse : Acts 10: 29-33 we are here to listen to God's commands
II. Four Principles Associated With The Lord's Church
A. Worship Helps Us Stay Focused On God-Jn 4:23-24
i) many think church is coming on Sunday to meet and then go back to real life
ii) some think - the worship needs to meet my needs and wants
iii) worship is about serving and worshipping God the way he says
iv) we can't separate God from worship
v) worship means focusing on God
vi ) first church met in homes and public places
vii) first church was joyous and people were happy to come together
B. Fellowship Helps Us Face Life's Problems-I Jn 1:7
i) it is wrong to assume that fellowship is always tied to food
ii) the Bible model of fellowship is they supported each other in very difficult times
iii) fellowship meant " encouragement "
iv) the worst thing that Christians did was " withdraw " fellowship unfaithful members II Thess. 3:6
v) Phil. 3:16 calls it " fellowship of suffering "
C. Ministering To Others Helps Us Exercise Our Talents-Mt. 25
i) everyone has talent to use in the Lord's service
ii) one requirement for Christians is we must use them; I will be judged on how I use them
iii) ministering to others is when I put them to practice-hiding them will be our downfall
D. Discipleship/Evangelism Must Be Our Mission In Life-Mt 28:18-20
i) a disciple of Christ must tell others about the Lord and his Church
ii) when the world is in chaos we can share our confidence in the Lord
iii) the joy of helping bring someone to the Lord is the greatest joy of all
iv) when our children see our joy, enthusiasm and service in serving the Lord they never forget it
v) the principle is teach, baptize, and teach
vi) soul winners don't have time to complain; they understand the meaning of Church in their lives