1 Corinthians 1:1-3
What’s This Church All About?: Our Values
I. Introduction
A. There is a lot of stuff in the world today that passes itself off as the church.
1. The reality is that they are no more Christian than the Devil.
2. We have watered down God’s Word, disregarded it, and perverted it.
3. We have settled for cheap Christianity, a compromised faith, and a half-hearted service to the King.
B. We have adopted worldly theology about God.
C. We have rejected foundational Biblical Doctrine.
D. In this setting it is difficult to know what the Church really is!
II. Scripture
III. Background
A. Re-Wording of v. 2
"To the [church] called out of God that are in Greensburg, to those [sanctified] set apart for God’s work in Christ Jesus, called to be holy ones together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours."
B. Word meanings:
1. Church = called out
2. Sanctified = Made Holy = Set apart for God’s purposes
3. Saints = Holy Ones
C. Together with all those who in every place call upon ...Jesus.
1. You don’t have to go to this church to make it into Heaven.
2. But you do have to be a part of The Church... The body of Christ.
IV. Some Values:
We are an Accepting Church...
...The world is driven by popularity, who’s who, high man on the totem pole, etc.
...But not the church.
...James 2:1 "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory."
- He gives an ill. of a rich man & a poor man and their seating.
- James 2:9 says it is sin.
- 2 Peter 1:1 "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ"
...The ground is level at the foot of the cross.
...Age discrimination.
...Gender discrimination
...Economic discrimination
...Education discrimination
God’s Word is central for our beliefs and Christian living...
...2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is breathed out [inspired] by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."
...Our beliefs are not just based on Scripture they reside w/in Scripture.
...Theological opinions are irrelevant and worthless unless they are in agreement w/ Scripture.
...We don’t care what somebody thinks about God, we want to know what God’s Word says about Him!
...We also operate according to Scripture.
...We deal w/ problems by consulting God’s Word.
...Money issues, division/disagreement in the church, sin among believers, family issues, etc
...All preaching is worthless outside of God’s Word!
That leads into the next thing...
Preaching the Word of God is central to our Worship Services...
...Worship is more than a series of notes or an order of service.
...No worship leaders here, only song leaders, preacher, etc.
...Worship is a choice you make.
Worship is a life you live.
..."I just cant’ worship." Boo.
...There are situations where it is more difficult to worship than others, we try to be conducive to you making a decision to worship.
...Your response to the Gospel proclaimed is the greatest act of worship.
...Worship = appropriate response to God’s grace
...1 Thessalonians 1:5a "...because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction."
...A lot of churches today are moving away from "preaching."
"It’s old fashion."
"It doesn’t work anymore."
...C. William Fisher: "Have we really outgrown our methods, or have we outrun our spirituality? Have our methods become stale, or have we? Are our methods obsolete, or are we too depleted spiritually to use them effectively?"
...It is a means of calling the lost to be born-again!
...1 Cor. 1:21b "It pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe."
...Most sinners do not enjoy preaching... it is folly to them.
...1 Cor. 1:17-18 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. [18] For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
...When I was ordained, this Scripture was quoted by the GS:
...2 Tim. 4:1-5 "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: [2] preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. [3] For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. [5] As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
We are a Missional Church...
...Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
...We expect to grow!
...Even numerically.
...Like the early church consistently grew, we expect to too.
... "It’s not about numbers."
- "No, it’s about souls!"
- Somebody tell the person that counted in the book of Acts.
...2 Cor. 2:14-16 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. [15] For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, [16] to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
...Strong statement: You are not Christian if you are not participating in the commission that Christ gave His church.
...Acts 9:31 "So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied."
We are a Holiness Church...
...Ill. Piano maker had one purpose for the piano... music.
-We might use it for picture gallery, filing cabinet, etc.
-But it still has one perfect reason for existence given by its creator.
...Note our Scripture this morning.
-Holiness & Sanctified are same root words in original language.
- Have to do w/ the working of the Holy Spirit.
...Phineas Bresee: "Without the manifest presence of the Holy Ghost any church is a failure."
- Manifest? ...perceivable, observable, trackable, etc.
- Changed lives, changed attitudes, changed families, Spirit filled believers.
...1 Cor. 2:12-13 "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. [13] And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."
...God continually & consistently calls His people to be a holy people (in the OT & NT).
IV. Conclusion
A. But there are also some expectations of you.
B. You are expected to grow in the Lord.
1. To Change!
2. We expect Christians to act like Christ.
C. E. Stanley Jones: "Before we can go farther, we must first go deeper."
D. We cannot enter this next year expecting to enjoy the presence of the Lord, see ppl born-again, have great revival, see believers baptized in the Holy Spirit, etc...
1. ...IF we are not willing ourselves to go deeper in Christ.
2. ...IF we are not willing to mature in Christ & try solid food.
E. Will you make that commitment?
F. Will you commit to... ??
1. ...pursuing the presence of Christ (personally & corporately)
2. ...giving to the Lord (time, talent, treasure, & self)
3. ...bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
G. It will begin with obedience to the Holy Spirit.
