The Church in Action

1. The Church in Action A LIFE GIVING ORGANISM

2. God has not called the church to be an organization God has called the church to be a LIFE GIVING ORGANISM

3. The church is built on the Solid foundation of Christ • Colossians 1:24-29(NKJV) • 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, • 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. • 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

4. Our responsibility as leadership is to labour until Christ is formed in you. • Galatians 4:19 AMP 19 My little children, for whom I am again suffering birth pangs until Christ is completely and permanently formed (molded) within you,

5. Living a lifestyle of Repentance • Romans 12:1-2(AMP) • 12 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. • 2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

6. What really matters is: FAITH operating through LOVE Romans 10:17(NLT)So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. • Faith toward God requires a response on our part. • Galatians 5:6(AMP)For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressedand working through love. • Jude 1:20 You…must build each other up in your most holy faith • Ephesians 4:1-3(NLT) I… beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

7. Be faithful in the little things • Luke 16:10(NLT)10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. • Baptism is a little step of obedience to begin you spiritual walk. • Colossians 2:12(NLT)12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

8. Pray specifically for one another • Every believer has been given spiritual authority to pray in Jesus name. • Mark 16:17-18(NKJV)And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” • God has also given delegated authority in families and in the church. • James 5:14(NKJV)Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

9. Learning to die to self so I can LIVE IN CHRIST • We must establish this principle in our lives • John 12:24(AMP)I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains [just one grain; it never becomes more but lives] by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest. • The resurrection principle is always the same sequence: Death- then burial- then Resurrection. • Without dying to self, there is no resurrection life. We remain with our decision of how far we will go with dying to self to the measure we will see resurrection life.

10. Learning to judge ourselves, not others. • 1 Corinthians 11:31(AMP) For if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment]. • The wrath and anger of God is gone and consumed in Christ’s sacrifice. God will not be angry or punitive or ask me to pay for my sins.

11. Hebrews 10:18-23 (NLT) 18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. 19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death,Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.