September 9, 2018

Why Church? : The  Promise of The Church
September 9, 2018
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Open:

Although being alone is sometimes a beautiful respite from a chaotic world, in a time of tragedy or disaster we long for the company of others who understand what we’re going through. Can anyone share?

For the last few Sundays we have focused on the role of the church and its importance in our lives. Today we will look at the characteristics of the local body where we can enrich our lives with like-minded believers, as well as impacting the world with humanitarian and spiritual aid. Let’s look at some of the blessings that come from the unity of worshiping in a local body.

Focal Passage: Acts 2:42-47

 

 

Discuss:

Encouragement

  • Read Acts 2:42a, 44-45. One of the by-products of being part of a group of believers is the encouragement you receive. What are some examples?
  • What did Luke mean by the “apostles’ doctrine”? What truths were they constantly discussing among themselves, and teaching new converts?
  • According to the verses you read, what were the characteristics of the early church? Are those qualities found in churches today? Why or why not?

Fellowship

  • Read verse 42b. What comes to mind when you consider “fellowship”? Can you have fellowship with unbelievers? Read 2 Cor. 6:14. How can you have fellowship with the world? Read 1 John 1:3. Is your answer still the same?
  • What are some benefits in having a church family to turn to in times when you need support?
  • Why would Satan prefer that you listen to a message on television, rather than belonging to a local church?

Communion

  • What goes through your mind when you think of “communion” within the context of church?
  • We generally call the “breaking of bread” communion. Why would the early church want to partake of the ordinance of communion in the home of a believer, rather than the Temple or Synagogue?
  • If you and another person—or more—are sharing a time of prayer together, how is that also communion?
  • Are you having communion with the Father?

Impact

  • Read verse 47. What are some of the differences you can have as a member of a local, thriving church body, as opposed to sitting in your living room watching the sermon on television (i.e., for those individuals who have no health restrictions)?
  • Read Heb. 10:25. God knew Satan would try to isolate us from other believers; what is clear in this verse regarding God’s desire for us? Why is that isolation? Read Proverbs 18:1.
  • Have you made an impact this year in any area, along with your church, that would have been impossible on your own?

 

 

Close:

It is almost impossible to understand how the early church grew so quickly, teaching the doctrines that Jesus had communicated to His disciples. It boggles the mind that the small number of disciples—the size of a small-town evangelical church—could turn the world upside down in one century. One can only assume they wrote down as much as possible, trying to spread the words of the Lord as widely and quickly as possible. We, in the generations of technology and hard-copy Bibles, would possibly be lost trying to communicate something so important without means of books and reference materials!

God, who sees the end from the beginning, knew the plans He had for the church, both visible (the local body) and invisible (the church of believers worldwide). Satan will fight both God and us every step of the way, and it is imperative that we do not fall into any of his schemes to thwart the spreading of Christianity. The church body is no longer bound by geography: we can spread His love to all countries where we are able to traverse by foot or reach by way of technology. We will know that it is getting near the end of time when all nations have heard the gospel (Matt. 24:14). Is your church making an impact in the world? And within your own family unit, are you being blessed by the gathering together of like-minded believers, preparing yourself and your family for the great Day of the Lord? We pray that you are!

Key Verse: Acts 2:42: And they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.

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