Sermon Notes  01-24-10

Our Church’s Purpose 

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Scripture Reading: Eph. 4:4-13  For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say, "When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people." Notice that it says "he ascended." This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 

Sermon Text: Acts 2:41-47 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. All 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 deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money 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 fellowship those who were being saved. 

1- One or Three--Is the Math Important? 

Christianity by definition is Trinitarian  

Eph. 4—Oneness (unity) vs Unitarian 

Our denomination’s mission statement 

Our church’s mission statement 

2- A Purposeful Ministry Structure 

Structure Outlined by Acts 2:41-47

Discipleship   “devoted to the apostles' teaching…”

Care    “to fellowship, sharing, and to prayer.”  

Lay Ministry    “shared everything…”  

Worship   “worshiped at the Temple… met in homes… praising God & enjoying the goodwill of all the people.”  

Outreach  “each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” 

Purpose of our church defined by structure

Discipleship     Children, Youth, Adults

Care                Lay Care Ministry, Family Life

Lay Ministry    Lay Speakers, Com. on Lay Leadership

Worship          Worship Team

Outreach         Evangelism Team, Missions Team

Reflections:

Are we faithful to our church’s purpose?

    -where are gaps?

Are you receiving ministry in all purpose areas?

    -where are your participation gaps?

Are you contributing ministry in all purpose areas?

    -where are the gaps?

What I will do about it…

Study Guide