Sermons About Belong
What is the Christian Church
Biblical Characteristics of “Church”: 1) “Regenerated church member” 2) Qualified Leadership 3) Preaching & Worship 4) Rightly Administered Sacraments 5) Spiritual Unity 6) Holiness 7) Great Command to Love 8) Great Commission to Evangelize & Disciple
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Coaching the Basics...Boundaries
“It’s Sunday. We have to go to church.” How often have we heard ourselves say that? But is church just something we go to or is it something more? Isn’t church something we “belong to?” If Jesus said the church is like a flock, I don’t go to a flock, I belong to the Shepherd. If the church is like a bride, I don’t go to a wedding, I belong to Jesus and He belongs to me. If the church is like a body, I belong to every part of it and every part of it belongs to me. These are great metaphors, but what does it mean to belong? What are the basics of church? The Apostle Paul coached a young church starter, named Titus, with a hand full of basics that every church needed to practice. As Paul coaches us in these basics, let’s discover where we each belong in God’s church plan.
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Coaching the Basics...Integrity
“It’s Sunday. We have to go to church.” How often have we heard ourselves say that? But is church just something we go to or is it something more? Isn’t church something we “belong to?” If Jesus said the church is like a flock, I don’t go to a flock, I belong to the Shepherd. If the church is like a bride, I don’t go to a wedding, I belong to Jesus and He belongs to me. If the church is like a body, I belong to every part of it and every part of it belongs to me. These are great metaphors, but what does it mean to belong? What are the basics of church? The Apostle Paul coached a young church starter, named Titus, with a hand full of basics that every church needed to practice. As Paul coaches us in these basics, let’s discover where we each belong in God’s church plan.
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Wii
Church Like You Never Expected: “Wii” Reconnect – May 31, 2009 Text: Acts 2:36-47; Romans 12:2 Key Thought: Faith deepens with the change that happens as we become: through experiencing life with Jesus together. “So let it be clearly known by everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah!” Peter’s words convicted them deeply, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles – all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this generation that has gone astray!” Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church – about three thousand in all. They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. (Acts 2:36-47, NLT)
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Mii
Church Like You Never Expected: “Mii” Reconnect – May 24, 2009 Text: Matthew 16:13-17, John 12:44-46 Key Thought: Faith continues with an opportunity to further what we believe: in regards to Jesus and what He offers. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do YOU say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter [which means ‘rock’], and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (Matthew 16:13-17, NLT)
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The Benefits of Believing and Belonging
The influences of individualism, privatism, pluralism, relativism, and anti-institutionalism in our society today has convinced many people that they can believe in God without belonging to His Body. Today’s message will focus on six benefits that are forfeited by believers who hold to such a philosophy. The acronym BELONG will help us remember what God’s Word teaches us about the values added to the lives of those who commit themselves to Christ’s Body-the Church, values that the Body of Christ is committed to providing because you can’t get them anywhere else! Identifies B in Christ (Ephesians 2:19). Provides E________________ (Hebrews 10:24-26). A place to L______________ (I Corinthians 12:4-7). O___________ protection (Hebrews 13:7) N____________ us through life (Ephesians 4:16) Accountability for G_____________ Colossians 3:16) BELONG!
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Thii
Church Like You Never Expected: “Thii” Reconnect – May 17, 2009 Text: Matthew 9:9-13; I Timothy 1:15-16 Key Thought: Faith begins with an invitation to find the place we belong: with Jesus and His people. As Jesus was going down the road, he saw Matthew sitting at his tax-collection booth. “Come, be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. That night Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to be his dinner guests, along with his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners. The Pharisees were indignant. “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” they asked his disciples. When he heard this, Jesus replied, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to be merciful; I don’t want your sacrifices.’ For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough.” (Matthew 9:9-13, NLT)
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