Be the Church

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Our Church

This morning is all about us as a church.
Our Church Lunch and discussion was really awesome this past Sunday afternoon. Thank you to all who attended and gave their input. We have celebrated 3 people coming to faith in Jesus this past year! That’s three celebrations in heaven that God used us to trigger. We saw four young people get baptized this past year! Our garage now sits on a brand new foundation! We have a lot to praise God for!
We also have some struggle in front of us. Our finances are struggling a bit. When we face difficult times we do not worry. We do not fear. We do not give up. When we face uncertainty we turn to the one who is certain and we seek his will.
This morning’s sermon is about how we do that as a church. What has Jesus called us to? How has God designed us? What is our role? As we trust God and look to him fro provision, what do we do?

Be Salty

First we listen to Jesus: Read with me
Matthew 5:13–16 ESV
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus has much more to say to his church but this simple truth is a good place to start.

Are we salty?

Do we make a difference? Are we able to accomplish our intended purpose?

Are we spreading light?

Is our life directing people to Jesus? Is it bringing glory to the Father?
Jesus says that salt that has lost it’s taste is useless.
So, If a person isn’t really living for him . . . they make no lasting impact.
If a church isn’t really living for him . . . they make no lasting impact.
Who each of us chose to be will determine the health and longevity of the church we are a part of.

Be Set Apart

Romans 12:1–2 ESV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
If we want to know the will of God for our church then we have to begin by offering ourselves to Him.
It’s everything
So there are individual commitments that impact the whole of the church.

Be Saints

Ephesians 4:11–16 ESV
11 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, 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.

The Purpose of Leaders is

God gave the work of Leadership to certain people. It is a gifting with a specific task.
Equip the Saints for the work of the ministry
Build up the body of Christ

The goal of that work is:

Move the church toward the unity of faith and knowledge of the son of God
Preach
Teach
Counsel
Move the church toward maturity
Train to worship
Train to live biblically
Train to persevere
Move the church to be like Christ
Prepare for the mission
Prepare for the next generation
2 Timothy 2:2 ESV
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

The effect on the Church is:

The church won’t be led astray. (v. 14) Ephesians 4:14
Ephesians 4:14 ESV
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.
The church will speak the truth in love. (v. 15) Ephesians 4:15
Ephesians 4:15 ESV
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
The church will grow in every part of life, into Christ. (v.15) Ephesians 4:15
Ephesians 4:15 ESV
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
The church will work in their Christ given giftedness. (v. 16) Ephesians 4:16
Ephesians 4:16 ESV
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.
The church will grow. (v. 16) Ephesians 4:16
Ephesians 4:16 ESV
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.

How do we "Be the Church”?

Acknowledge that Jesus is our head.

He has given us leaders to learn from
He has gifted all of us to be involved in ministry

Do our part in the Body.

Be Salty - Share Jesus love with someone
Be Set Apart - Live every day for Jesus
Be Saints - Depend on each other

Never forget, we are part of HIS Church!

John 13:34–35 ESV
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Our saltiness is tied to our love for each other. God didn’t design us as lone rangers. We are built for relationship with him and for each other.
That is what our summer picnics are about. This summer we will have family picnics every Sunday after church. What does it look like when a family comes together to hang out at the park. You bring your own picnic lunch. You bring yourself. You bring your chair, your volleyball, your you-name-it and we all have fun together. We build relationships. We build memories. We share in each others lives. We invite others to join us.
What part can you play? COME! Be there.
This is the lowest threshold invitation you will ever get. If you normally spend the afternoon with others . . . invite them.
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