Marks of a healthy Church
The Body of Christ – United and Growing
The Body of Christ – United and Growing – Ephesians chapter 4 verses 1 to 16 Many Illustrations of the Church in the New Testament Here is one – the Body of Christ: undivided, united but in many parts, and always growing. Four truths: Bible text from New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Worship
Worship – Hebrews chapter 10, verses 1 to 22 What makes worship possible? How do we know if worship has happened? So, what makes worship possible? – Jesus the Christ does, who said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” How do we know if worship has happened? By faith, not by sight – “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full…
Discipleship
Discipleship – Matthew’s Gospel chapter 28, verses 18-20 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ Matthew 28:18-20 New International…
Church Discipline
Church Discipline – 1 Corinthians chapter 5 verses 1 to 8 Discipline – the Dirty ‘D’ Word? – at home, at work, at church? Responding to Sin: verses 1-2 – How NOT to do it, and how it should be done. Love for the Individual: verses 3-5 – for their everlasting good. Love for the Church: verses 6-8 – for whom Jesus our good Lord died. Living out Church Discipline: – 5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality…
Persecution Ignites Mission
Persecution Ignites Mission – Acts chapter 8, verses 1 to 8 God intends to make His name known so that all will call on Him. Persecution is part of this, for it ignites and fuels the mission of the Gospel of Jesus. The Reality of Persecution: Acts 8:1-3 – a murderous rage against Jesus’ followers, still happening today in many places. The Response to Persecution: Acts 8:4-8 – the Christians scattered, sharing the Gospel message. The believers were not good…
Church Membership
Church Membership – A Mark of a Health Church – Acts 2:37-46, Matthew 16:16-20 We live in a day of negative views about any institution. God wants the church to be different, not an institution but His world-wide family. And more even than that – a local family, loving and caring, belonging together.
Corporate Prayer
Corporate Prayer – Nehemiah chapter 9 Corporate prayer simply means prayer together when we gather for worship. Prayer is not about it you, but Him. The only contribution we make is in no.4, we sin. He does the rest, all out of His great love and goodness. Bible verses from Nehemiah 9 New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Expository Preaching
Expository Preaching – 2 Timothy chapter 4 verses 1 to 8 What are the marks of Biblical preaching? We see 5 marks in this part of Paul’s letter to his young friend Timothy: 4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with…
Evangelism and the Great Commission
Evangelism and the Great Commission – 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 9 and 10 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 New International Version –…
Conversion and the Gospel
Conversion and the Gospel – 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 verses 1 to 10 A mark of a healthy church Today’s ethos says “I’m OK as I am.”, but the Gospel of God says change is possible and necessary, and shows us how. What is conversion? Why do we need conversion? How can we be converted? “I am not what I ought to be.I am not what I want to be.I am not what I hope to be.Yet I can truly…
What is the Church?
What is the Church? – Matthew chapter 16, Ephesians chapter 2 17 Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:17-18 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not…