September 2, 2018

Why Church? : The  Purpose of The Church
September 2, 2018
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Open:

When you hear someone ask, “What on earth am I here for? Why was I even born?” do you have an answer for them? Share some of your thoughts.

The past two Sundays we have looked at the incredible, beautiful gift from God called “the church.” There is the local church—that body of believers who worship and do life together, and the Universal church, encompassing believers all over the world. We have also looked at the importance of gathering in a large or small group of like-minded believers, and asked what God meant when He “built” His church. Today we look at the results we need to be achieving in the local church to change our world.

Focal Passage: Ephesians 1:6-8, 12-14; 4:14-15

 

 

Discuss:

We give Him Glory

  • Read Eph. 1:12-14. Two times in these short verses Paul tells us why the church gathers together each week. What does he say?
  • Who are the Gentiles? What happens when Christ saved you (vs. 13)? What is our response to be after salvation?
  • How can we know we are carrying out the purpose God had for the church?

We bring Him Growth

  • Read Col. 1:28-29. If we are in the church, what should we be doing? Read Matt. 16:18. Who built the church? What will destroy it?
  • When should we present the gospel to those with whom we come into contact?
  • Read Eph. 4:14-15. What are some of the lies the world tells us? What do you reply when someone says they don’t need to go to church to be a “real” Christian? Who are some of those who try to devise clever lies against truth?

We celebrate Grace

       Because we have been saved from our sins

  • Read Eph. 1:6-8. What was our condition before salvation? After salvation, does He stop forgiving our sin? How do you know?
  • Why did God forgive YOU, and not someone else whom you know intimately? Did you deserve it more? Why or why not?
  • Do you live your life so that those you meet want what you have?

       By how we show grace to others

  • Read 1 Pet. 2:9. Why should we show grace to others?
  • Read 1 Pet. 4:8-10. We see scriptures that exhort us to be different from the world, and to do good to those around us. What does verse 9 tell us?
  • Does it matter to God if we choose to obey Him or not? Read 1 John 2:3. What does this verse tell us?

 

We recognize His Grip

  • Read Heb. 7:25. Does Christ have to die again because the world is still sinning? Why was His death sufficient for all people, for all time?
  • Read 1 Cor. 1:8-9. Will He ever leave you? Are you convinced in your soul that God will never leave you, or let you slip through the grip He has on your life? What will make it such a part of your heart that you will want to shout?

 

 

 

Close:

The local church, like our physical body, has no limit on the amazing functions it can perform. When twelve men were turned loose on the ancient world, they turned it upside down with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet millions of believers around the world today struggle to make an impact that changes their family or community. Have you asked yourself why not? What can you do differently? Do you truly desire to change your community for the Lord, working with other believers in your local church? You can start with the people you know who, for whatever reason, do not get out on Sunday morning and gather to worship Christ. Yet they believe themselves to be saved, and they desire not to go to hell. How can you help?

God’s love for us is beyond our understanding; the closest we can come to grasping it is the love we have for our children, but even that is flawed by our humanity. Most of us who have had small ones have, at some time, let their grasp on our hands slip, and immediately we are in panic mode. Their existence is so important to us that we cannot act calmly until they are back in our arms. Yet has it ever occurred to you that the grip God has on you will never let go? If we lose sight of this truth we need to search Scripture for verses that reinforce His constant and abiding love for us. Perhaps when we get a genuine grasp of His intense love for us, we’ll want to share it with those we meet. As Dr. Falwell would tell his son, Pastor Jonathan, “if a microphone is stuck in your hand, use it to tell folks about Jesus Christ!” Whenever an opportunity presents itself, share the good news that saved you.

Key Verse: Ephesians 1:13-14: In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

 

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