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The Church Jesus Built. Began on Pentecost, Acts 2:1,47. Began in Jerusalem, Isaiah 2:2-3; Luke 24:47 Consists of the “ Saved ,” Acts 2:47. People who heard the gospel, believed, repented, & baptized,Acts 2:21,36-38,41,47 Has Jesus as its “ Head, ” Ephesians 1:22-23.
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The Church Jesus Built Began on Pentecost, Acts 2:1,47. Began in Jerusalem, Isaiah 2:2-3; Luke 24:47 Consists of the “Saved,” Acts 2:47. People who heard the gospel, believed, repented, & baptized,Acts 2:21,36-38,41,47 Has Jesus as its “Head,” Ephesians 1:22-23.
“Church” used in Two Primary Senses: The Universal Sense, Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 12:22-23. The Local Sense, I Corinthians 1:1-2; Revelation 1:10-11. - Each Christian, to the extent possible, should follow the example of Paul in Acts 9:26.
Each Local Church Should Endeavor to be “Strong.” Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” I Corinthians 16:13-14: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.”
In N.T. Times Some Churches Were not All that They Should Have Been! Corinth had problems, I Cor. 1:11; 3:3; 5:1, etc. Ephesus left its “first love,” Revelation 2:14-15. Pergamos harbored false teachers, Rev. 2:14-15. Thyatira permitted a woman to “seduce” the brethren, Revelation 2:20. Sardis did not live up to its reputation, Rev. 3:1 Laodicea was “Lukewarm,” Rev. 3:15-16.
Lesson Title: “A Strong Church Is…” Fact: Many local churches are weak and dying! The World uses False standards to Measure strength, such as: - Popularity, Luke 6:26. - Large Membership, Matthew 7:13-14. - Huge, Elegant Building, Luke 12:15. - Impressive program of work, Revelation 3:1.
A Strong Church is:Conservative in its Teaching! It Respects Divine Authority! - Everything, “in word and deed” must be done in the “name” of Christ, Col. 3:17! We Must Not Take Liberties with the Bible! - Galatians 1:8-9, 2 John 9; Rev. 22:18-19 - We Must be Doctrinally “Sound!” I Tim. 1:3; I Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 1:13; Tit. 1:9; 2:1.
A Strong Church is:Liberal in its Giving! Its Members regard giving as a “grace,” or a favor, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5,7. Through their Sacrificial Giving, its Members: - Demonstrate the “sincerity” of their love, 2 Cor. 8:8,. - Follow the example of Jesus, 2 Cor. 8:9.
A Strong Church is:A Functioning Body, I Cor. 12:27! The Spiritual Body, like the Physical body, has members, I Cor. 12:12,14. God wants all the members of the Spiritual body to do their part! I Cor. 12:20-22. We must not develop a “we” versus “they” mentality! Each one should know, respect, and honor his/her duties & obligations!
A Strong Church is:A Loving Family, I Tim. 3:15! Domestically, a Strong Family is one: - Whose members love one another, Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4; Eph. 6:1. - Whose members spend time with each other, Hebrews 10:24. - Whose Members help one another, Galatians 6:1-2.
A Strong Family is A Loving Family (con’t) Whose Members learn to be longsuffering with each other, Ephesians 4:1-2. Whose Members Get together. Job 1:4; Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42. I Thess. 4:9: “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren…
A Strong Church is:Like a Pure Bride! The Church is the Bride of Christ! 2 Cor. 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-27. God Intended for His People to be Pure! - Romans 12:1-2; Titus 2:12; I Tim. 5:22. - God calls for drastic action when members of Christ’s bride become impure and refuse to repent! I Cor. 5:1,4-5.
A Strong Church is:A Temple that Praises! I Cor. 3:16-17 – the church is God’s temple! Pagan nations erected temples to honor and praise the “god” to whom it was erected. Tabernacle and Temple worship was a part of God’s covenant with Israel, Exodus 25-40; 2 Chronicles 3. The temple was the house of God, a place of worship & praise.
The Local Church is a Temple that Praises (con’t). As a Local Church, we must: - Offer “spiritual sacrifices,” I Peter 2:5. - Show forth “the praises” of God, I Peter 2:9. - Praise God by “the fruit of” our lips, Hebrews 13:15, which includes singing and praying, I Corinthians 14:15!
A Local Church is:A Pillar that Proclaims! I Timothy 3:15: “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” God’s “college” is not a school built by men! As God’s “college,” the local church is a teaching and preaching institution! I Thessalonians 1:7-8; I Timothy 3:15; Acts 8:4.
Summation – A “Strong Church” is: Conservative in its teaching. Liberal in its giving. A functioning body. A loving family. Like a pure bride. A Temple that Praises. A Pillar that proclaims.
Concluding Important Questions: Is This a “strong church?” Are everyone of us doing all within our power to make this a strong church? Are you a member of the church Jesus built? Are you a Christian? Are you prepared to die? Do you need to heed Christ’s invitation?