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What is a church?. The building? An organization? The individual believer? The local community of believers? The worldwide collection of believers? Something else?___________________. One heart at a time….
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What is a church? • The building? • An organization? • The individual believer? • The local community of believers? • The worldwide collection of believers? • Something else?___________________
One heart at a time… • 1 Peter 2:1-5 ( NKJV ) 1Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
A group of devoted believers • Acts 2:42-47 ( NLT ) 42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A place of strong faith!
A place of sharing & caring • Acts 2:43-45 ( NLT ) 43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. A place of healthy family!
A model of heavenly things • Acts 2:46-47 ( NLT ) 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. A place of genuine friends!
A picture of community… • Faith: a strong sense of why we are here and what we believe • Family: a healthy connection, identifying with others in covenant relationship • Friendship: an outward, daily expression of love in a growing personal way
What Community Looks Like… Family… Faith… Friendship…
The foundation is you! • Joy in the assembling together with like hearts • Love that is expressed from the inside out • Sharing and sacrificial community • Faithful servants in all walks of life • Bright faces and high praise from people with high hopes • People who can follow the Spirit A “family” of “faith” who are also dear “friends”…
The Foundation is You! • Jude 1:20-25 ( KJV ) 20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.
A great church is built upon committed believers… • Build yourselves and each other up… • Focus on your faith and strengthen it… • Keep yourselves in the love of God… • Help others find the salvation of God… • Let Jesus become the finisher of your faith!
Faith, Family, Friends… Strong Faith, Healthy Families, Good Friends…
