(2) In sharing the
responsibility of His Church. (A) by praying for it’s growth. Church growth
means increasing Christian maturity, fellowship in phileo (brotherly) love,
equitable in ministry work and a larger impact for the kingdom of God both
inside and outside the church. We have a tendency to meet and “hang out” with
people that we have something in common with. “Clicks” are comfortable within
our circle of friends and they are not bad in and of themselves. We have the
Lord Jesus Christ in common. (B) by inviting the unchurched to attend a Sunday
church worship service or small group Bible study with you. Forgiveness of sin
and salvation from damnation is found only at the foot of the Cross of Calvary,
through repentance and the redeeming atonement from the blood of Jesus. Invite
those who do not know the Savior of the world. The focus is on evangelism and
increasing the family of God in the kingdom of Heaven, while decreasing the
population of Hell. (C) By warmly welcoming those who visit your church or
small group. In the beginning, they don’t care as much about what you know,
until they know that you care. Reach out to others and find out more about
them. Have the loving heart desire to meet and greet the unchurched, always
being inviting and welcoming into the family of God. Keeping asking.
Colossians 3:23-24 “And
whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing
that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you
serve the Lord Christ.”
(3) By serving the Ministry
of His Church. (A) By discovering your gifts and talents. (B) By being equipped
to serve (C) By developing a servant’s heart. Because we have been (a) created
for ministry (Ephesians 2:10), (b) saved for ministry (2 Timothy 1:9), (c)
called to ministry (1 Peter 2:9-10), (d) gifted for ministry 1 Peter 4:10, (e)
authorized for ministry (Matthew 28:18-20, (f) Commanded to minister (Matthew
20:26-28, (g) prepared for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12), (h) needed for
ministry (1 Corinthians 12:27), (i) and will be rewarded according to your
ministry (Revelation 22:12). What ministry are you involved in? Do not leave it
to others and never say, “It is not my problem.” God wants to use you now.
2 Corinthians
1:12 “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that
we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly
sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more
abundantly toward you.”
(4) By supporting the testimony
of His Church. (A) By attending church faithfully. (B) By living a godly life.
(C) By giving regularly. Our church needs our regular giving of tithes and
offering to function. We are not truly living, unless we are giving. But giving
to the ministry of the church must be from the heart. What is in your heart?
Galatians 6:9 “Let
us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up.”
Be committed to and
encourage one another. Build each up; not tear each other down. As children of
God, we belong to one another, so watch out for one another. We are saved by
the blood of Christ. It is said that blood is thicker than water, meaning family
sticks together. There is no greater family than the family of God. God helps
us remember our responsibilities to Him and His church. We are the church. Serve
God and His kingdom.
In Christ, Brian
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