Fellowship_pt4: We Are Connect Church

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

This is the Church - what an amazing place...

The Church

The Church in sounds a lot like the place the Psalmist wrote about...

Psalm 46:1–7 NIV

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

The people of God – before Christ – were awaiting the establishment of a new city, a new Kingdom… an unbreakable fortress!

It would be this City where we would take up refuge!

The Church is the city of refuge.

Hebrews 6:18 NIV

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.

Psalm 27:4–5 NIV

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

[PAYOFF] - The Church (in Christ) is our refuge from the storms and troubles of life!

The Church is the light of the world.

Hebrews 6:19 NIV

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

There is hope, there is light.

And this hope is an anchor, anchored beyond this world… in His very presence (“the sanctuary behind the curtain = “Presence, eternity, Heaven”)

Matthew 5:14 NKJV

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:14 NKJV

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Hebrews 6:19 NIV

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

[PAYOFF] - The Church (in Christ) is light and hope.

There are answers. There is help. There is life!

The Church is eternal.

Hebrews

Hebrews 6:20 NIV

where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Ephesians 1:22–23 NIV

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

[PAYOFF] - He is King Jesus forever.

Victory has been won forever.

No going back, it is finished!

Ephesians 2:6 NIV

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

We are victorious in Him!

We are the Church

We are the Body

We are the Body of Christ at Connect Church

We Are Connect Church

Philippians 1:6 NLT

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Paul was writing to the church in Philippi.

We often quote this verse in reference to ourselves, personally. But it was truly meant for the church as a body!

[PAYOFF] - What God has begun here at Connect Church, He will finish!

What God has begin in YOU here at Connect Church, He will finish!

Hebrews 12:22–24 NIV

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

[HERE] The author of Hebrews connects Zion and the Church.

In this Body, in this Church, in this City, you have a part.

[TODAY] lets examine these cities in the OT and gain better perspective of our role as the Church.

[PAYOFF] - If we are “each part of it” then whatever the “city” provides, it is provided through us (in Christ) = That is our PART!

Kedesh - Holy, separate, distinguished

There is something different about God’s people!

1 Peter 2:9 NIV

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.

[PAYOFF] - the Church offers the refuge for people to escape the traps they are in… to change who they are… to no longer be part of this fallen world!

So, you who are changed, help other change (in Christ)

Shechem - Shoulder

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Galatians 6:2 NIV

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

[PAYOFF] - the Church offers the refuge for people to find the help/support/strength they need in this fallen world!

So, you who have been helped, help!

Hebron - Fellowship

Acts 2:42 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

[PAYOFF] - the Church offers the refuge for people to grow and do life with others!

So, you who are growing, help others grow!

Bezer - Fortress

Romans 12:5 NIV

so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

[PAYOFF] - the Church offers the refuge for people to receive the support and strength they need in this fallen world.

So, you who are strengthened, support others (in Christ)!

Ramoth - Hight, exalted

Ephesians 2:6 NIV

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

[PAYOFF] - the Church offers the refuge for people to have victory over this fallen world.

So, you who have victory help others declare victory (in Christ)

Golan - Joy

Psalm 16:11 NIV

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

[PAYOFF] - the Church offers the refuge for people to find joy and peace in this fallen world.

So, you who have found joy, are life-giving towards others!

Take Away

Psalm 132:13–16 NIV

For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.

We are His Church, we are each part of this place!

[SO] - everything the “Church” is, we are!

“Our part?” - is found in these (above)

We are the refuge (in Christ) for this world

As we fellowship we benefit from it. We also provide it (in Christ) to the world.