The House
1. When you think of a "Church” - What image comes to mind?
a.
Most see – steeple, doors, cross, altar, country
scene, autum leaves
2.
English word church comes from Greek kuriakos
meaning “belonging to God”
a.
Found in bible it is the Greek ekklesia which means “the called out –
the congregation”, IOW – the church are those who are called out by God,
belonging to God,
b.
So when we speak of the church today, we are
talking about the congregation of the believers
c.
Those who have believed the gospel of Jesus
Christ, who have been washed by His blood, who have experienced his grace, and
recieved new life.
d.
Not a facility – not a building - but it is a
House, the house of Gods people
… (we are) living stones, are being built up a
spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable
to God through Jesus Christ. - 1 Pet 2:5
3.
Today we're going to talk about the house, the
house of God
a.
Help us get a picture of the true house, our
house
Birth of the House
4.
Everything has a beginning, a birth, just as God
created the world, He created man, He also created the church
a.
The NT church started in not in America, not in
Europe, but in the place where God placed it, Jerusalem, after Jesus ascension
to the Father.
Acts 2:41-47
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized;
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the
apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through
the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had
need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread
from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the
church daily those who were being saved.
5.
There was no church building, they met in houses,
outside, wherever
a.
The word was received, people believed, were
baptized, people were healed, lives were changed,
b.
There was unity, people shared
c.
And the Lord added to the church
6.
In other words it was: God started / God powered
/ God guided / God grown! (not only a birthpoint…)
Foundation of the
House
7.
Every structure needs a foundation, something
upon which it it built upon
a.
Tammy & I used to live in San Francisco,
used to work in those huge buildings were amazing!
b.
During Loma Prieta earthquake, the Bank of
America building swayed some 15-20 in each direction – how did it not fall?
c.
When they built it, they drive long steel pylons
deep into the ground, some skyscraper’s have a foundation that is 40% of it’s height!
8.
The church also has a foundation it is built
upon “The Rock”
- Matt 16:13-18
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi,
He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah,
and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you,
Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My
Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this
rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against
it.
9.
Jesus is saying something very profound here: He
is describing the foundation of the House…
a.
“Peter” = petros = “little rock”
b.
“Rock” = Petra = HUGE ROCK! Gibraltar!
10. What
is Jesus talking about? Is there a
really big boulder somewhere that He wants Peter and the other disciples to
start digging a foundation?
a.
No…
For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed
them, and that Rock was Christ. - 1 Cor 10:4
This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders,
which has become the chief cornerstone. - Acts 4:11
11. That
big rock is the Lord Jesus Christ!
a.
Who He is:
His position, His purpose, His Plan
b.
His Body, His Blood, His Promise,
c.
He is the cornerstone, the foundation, the
center of it all!
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which
is laid, which is Jesus Christ. - 1 Cor 3:11
12. A
Birth, a foundation...
Order in the House
13. Because
it is His church, He (Jesus) is the Head of the church;
… Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior
of the body.
- Eph 5:24
- Eph 5:24
14. He
redeemed us, He purchased us with His blood, He holds the title and the keys!
15. There
are also leaders, men appointed by God, submitted to God, who are to serve as
shepherds of the house
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the
flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the
church of God which He purchased with His own blood. - Acts 20:28
(Instruction...)
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving
as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but
eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to
the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of
glory that does not fade away. - 1 Peter 5:2-4
(To the house...)
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for
they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. - Heb 13:17
16. So
we see that the Holy Spirit is the one who calls these leaders, an appointment,
a calling, not a job or a career choice
a.
and that these leaders are called to serve the
flock, to be an example to the house
b.
The house is called to submit to those leaders
17. Birth,
foundation, order…
Membership in the
house...
18. Just
like with any club, any organization, there are members of The house
a.
The church is unique in that it’s both exclusive
and inclusive at the same time.
b.
Exclusive in that you have to be a believer in
Jesus Christ to be a member, but also inclusive in that anyone can join!
c.
You don't join by filling out a form, or going
through a class – but by being born again by the Spirit of God
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who
are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every
place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord… - Eph 5:24
19. Which
is why we don’t have official membership at CCW, once you become a follower of
Jesus Christ, you are a part of the universal church!
a.
If you come to this church, then you are part of
our local fellowship. – the local church.
20. Birth, foundation, order, membership...
Mission of the
House
21. Had
an interesting conversation yesterday with my oldest son, he told me “did you
know that most people have no purpose for their life?”
a.
Apparently he was interested in what people saw
themselves doing - their vision, their mission,
b.
And he was surprised by the answers people
gave: “I don’t know, get a job, get
married, get a house...”
c.
Those things are certainly part of life, but
they aren’t a purpose, they aren’t a mission.
22. If
you’ve been around us for a little while, you’ve heard us say that the most
important thing you can you in life, other than become a follower of Jesus
Christ
a.
Is to find out what you were created for, your
purpose, your mission, and align your with that mission
b.
See your purpose sets the course for your life!
23. The
House has a purpose:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all
things that I have commanded you… - Matt 28:19-20
24. This
is Jesus telling us what our purpose is:
a.
Telling people about Jesus
b.
Baptizing them
c.
“teaching them”
= Make disciples
25. That
is our PURPOSE - our MISSION - given to us by the leader of our house!
26. Birth,
foundation, order, membership, mission...
Practice of the
House
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles'
doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. - Acts 2:42
27. This
is a description – what it looks like:
a.
“Continuing in Doctrine” – studying the bible,
teaching the bible, talking about the bible, and obeying the bible
b.
“Fellowship” being together, hanging with other
believers
c.
“Breaking bread” - eating, communion
d.
Praying and worshiping together
e.
“…continuing steadfastly” – in other words they
did this ALL THE TIME
f.
it was a LIFE RHYTHM for the house - not just
once a week, every day!
Roles in the
House...
28. We’re
also given specific roles, a calling if you will:
It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be
prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to
prepare God's people for works of service, - Eph 4:11 (NIV)
29. What
Paul gives us here is a picture of a church – a healthy church
a.
Apostles – people with a call to be sent out,
b.
Prophets – people who are gifted to speak for
the Lord, either through His written word, or by the Holy Spirit
c.
Evangelists – those who are gifted to go and
tell people about Jesus
d.
Pastors – Those who are gifted to oversee and
shepherd the church
e.
Teachers – those gifted to teach the word of God
30. All
of these different people, walking in different giftings, working together to
build up and strengthen the members of the house in their faith, knowledge,
doctrine, and truth
a.
The result?
A healthy family, loving each other, helping each other, encouraging
each other...
b.
each member doing his/her part, building up one
another in love
31. Paul
is giving us a beautiful picture of community.
In other words we are doing these things together, and as a result we
grow in our faith, we are strengthened, and we grow in love for one another!
a.
While this describes a lifestyle of community,
there is also a call to come together corporately:
Gathering of the
House...
32. What
time did church start this morning?
a.
Church didn't start this morning at 9:30, it
started on the International Date line, went across Asia,
b.
then we see Australia (Chelsea had church last
night!), then Europe, the across Africa, we’re actually on the tail end of
church this morning!
c.
So for the past 18 hours church has been going
all around the world!
d.
People of all nations and tongues have been
lifting up the name of Jesus, we’re just now joining the party!
33. Why
is coming together important? You can be
a member of a family: live in different places- Mom, dad, sisters, brothers,
aunts, uncles, cousins,
a.
We talk, text, Skype...
b.
But when you all get together, something
changes, a new dynamic takes place.
34. Same
in our spiritual house:
For where two or three are gathered together in My
name, I am there in the midst of them."
- Matt 18:20
35. When
we come together, in Jesus name, something is going to happen, because Jesus is
going to be right in the middle of it!
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are
gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus
Christ. - 1 Cor 5:4
36. Paul
is not saying “if you come together”, but “when you come together.”
a.
In other words it’s fine to worship God alone at
the beach, or in the mountains,
b.
but there should be a time when we come together
as an assembly… and when we do, the power of our Lord Jesus WILL BE present!
c.
Lives will change, marriages will be healed, chains
will be broken, and prisoners will be set free!
37. What
does that look like?
Worship in the
House...
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true
worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is
seeking such to worship Him. - John 4:23
38. Personal
worship is a necessity for the Christian – a time to enter into the deep places
of our heart with the Lord
a.
But that doesn't replace congregational worship,
which is why we read in Psalms:
Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise
Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him
for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise
Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise
Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and
flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let
everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD! - Ps 150:1-6
39. So
apparently when we come together in the house, we’re supposed to have horns,
flutes, drums, cymbals, and guitars! And… gasp… even dance!
Teaching in the
House
40. Listen
to Paul instructing the young pastor Timothy…
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His
kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke,
exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. - 2 Tim 4:1-2
41. Notice
Paul does not say to “talk about the word, pr talk about the political or
social topics of the day …”
42. No,
preach the word!
43. Not
just some of the word, ALL of the word!
WHY?
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
every good work. - 2 Tim 3:16-17
44. The
word…
a.
Doctrine – to show us what is RIGHT
b.
Reproof & correction – to show us how to GET
RIGHT
c.
Instruction – how to STAY RIGHT
d.
It is the OPERATING MANUAL for our lives!
Ministering in the
house...
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. - 1 Peter 4:10
45. We
are one body – with one God, one Lord, one Spirit, and man do we ever need each
other!
Are you rejoicing? Weeping?
Rejoice with
those who rejoice…weep with those who weep. - Rom 12:15
Are you hurting?
…that we may be able to comfort those who are in any
trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God - 2 Cor
1:4
Have you blown
it?
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you
who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness… - Gal 6:1
Do you have a
need?
But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his
brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God
abide in him? - 1 John 3:17
Are 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. And the
prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. - James
5:14-15
46. It
is a cold, harsh world out there, and our house is a sanctuary for saints,
a.
The house is a place where we’ll find comfort,
peace, support, prayer, and above all love!
(LAST)
Unity in the
House...
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if
any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and
mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one
accord, of one mind. - Phil 2:1-2
47. What
does this mean? That we are all
connected, something Paul calls the “fellowship of the Spirit”
48. Think
about the metaphor: The parts of our
physical bodies are connected in ways that we don’t even understand, with
intricate relationships and dependencies.
a.
Each part of the human body has specific
functions that work together, each for the benefit of the whole.
For as the body is one and has many members, but all
the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. - 1
Cor 12:12
49. Just
think about the simple act of eating:
a.
Your eyes see the hamburger, your hand brings it
up to your mouth, your teeth grind it all up,
b.
your saliva starts the process of breaking down
the food.
c.
Stomach and intestines continue that process,
the liver processes the components,
d.
the blood vessels and heart circulate the
nutrients all through the body.
e.
All of these different parts participated, and
all the body benefits!
50. In
the same way in the church we are also inter-connected:
a.
We come together – feed on God’s word, we are
strengthened
b.
We have different members that work together in
different ways to strengthen and build up the body, all for the benefit of the
whole.
51. Now,
the problem with inter-dependency is if one part decides to act independent,
say your kidneys decides to stop working, it affects every other part of the
body.
a.
Same in the church, if one part is not
considering that it’s part of the body, thinking “I don't really need to be
involved..."
b.
It affects the whole body. Each one has gifts,
without your gift, we are handicapped.
i. (When putting together ENGAGE, we considered
“You’re the piece we’ve been missing”)
52. But
there is a positive side of inter-dependency, which I believe overrides the
negative, in that the weaker parts are strengthened by the stronger parts.
a.
If I am weak, I have my fellow members around me
to encourage me and lift me up in love, in other words I am not alone!
b.
And you know I think that is the point in all of
this – the church is our extended, spiritual family!
53. Not
just existing together - but WOVEN TOGETHER
a.
First get married, just getting your financial
house started, you go with the cheap stuff - you get the Dollar Store sheets -
120 count, feels like you’re sleeping on sandpaper, the next morning your
exfoliated!
b.
But the first time you lay on sheets that are
1000 count - 1000 threads per per sq/in, man its like sleeping on a cloud!
c.
That’s how you strengthen fabric, you take the
softest material, silk is the best, and weave them together tightly.
54. Same
in the house - We come to God all rough and broken up, we’re touched by the
grace of God, strengthened by His word, softened by His Holy Spirit...
a.
We become part of the house - our lives woven
together into a beautiful, soft, yet strong luxurious fabric.
b.
Back to Eph 4:
Eph 4:11-16 (ESV)And he gave the apostles, the
prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints
for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all
attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to
mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and
carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in
deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in
every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body,
joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each
part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in
love.
55. By
the grace of God, I’m in the house
a.
I don't know about you, but I want to be 100%
the house, because it’s HIS house!
b.
If you’re INSIDE the hosue, then you’ve
experienced the life-changing grace of God!
c.
Here’s the cool thing: Once you’ve been INSIDE,
you want to OUTSIDE,
d.
Because you want to open the way for people who
are on the OUTSIDE to be INSIDE the house and experience the power of God.
56. What
is looks like: People in the house: Grace fueled - Jesus focused - others first -
humility marked - best offered
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NC, 28412, or via email to office@calvaryofwilmington.org.
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