I Must Commit Myself to the Church
Series: Growing Grace Text: Luke 14:25-33 Theme: As a disciple, I must commit myself to the church.
One: What is the church?
- The people of God in all ages
- Christians, who together worship, live out the gospel, and display the glory of God's holiness and love.
Two: What is church membership?
- A definition: an expression of 2-way commitment
- Member to Church:
- Submission to church doctrine, leaders, & one another
- Participation for the common good
- Church to Member:
- Affirmation of one's profession of faith
- Oversight of one's discipleship and growth
Three: Is procedural church membership biblical?
- There is no clear command for joining.
- There is a consistent emphasis on defining the church.
General Theological Principles and Practical Methods for Church Commitment
Foundational ideas for committing to the church
- Foundation of general theological principles
- Practical methods for preparing and committing to the church
Counting the Cost
Series: Preparation
Text: Luke 14:25-33
One: The use of the building.
- The glory of God
- The worship of God
- The gospel of God
Two: The construction of the building.
- A lot of workers
- A lot of time
Three: The planning of the building.
- A vision for use
- A gathering of resources
- A diligence of detail
Conclusion: Detailed planning and physical construction serve Gospel mission.
Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. ~ 1 Chronicles 22:19
The Cost of Discipleship
Series: Preparation
Text: Luke 14:25-33
What is the cost of following Christ?
Self-Denial
One: Everything I love must be subordinated to loving Christ.
Two: Everything I live for must be sacrificed to living for Christ.
Three: Everything I have must be surrendered to gaining Christ.
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ~ John 12:25
Why is the Gospel, Gospel?
Series: The Gospel According to Mark
Text: Mark 1:9-15
One: Jesus Fulfilled all Righteousness
- The compassion of Chris
- The Spirit empowered Jesus' human nature
- The Father declared the sonship of Jesus
- Revealed the Trinity - the Word of creation
Two: Jesus Defeated Satan
- The temptation of Christ
- The First Adam brought death
- The Last Adam gave life
Three: Jesus Offered Reconciliation
- The message of Christ
- The Gospel belongs to God
- The Kingdom is _
Four: God is the Gospel
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21
What is Significant About Mount Zion
Series: Summer Study of Songs
Text: Psalm 48
The Geography of Zion & The Kingdom of God
How do we link the two?
One: A great King
Two: A chosen people
Three: A formidable strength
Four: A responsive worship
Five: A confident faith
Six: A personal Shepherd
It Is Good to Worship The Lord
Text: Psalm 92
One: It is good to worship the Lord...
- Grateful worship
- Musical worship
- Public worship
Two: ...who is the God of every perfection...
Three: ...and whose nature is expressed in his works...
- He judges the wicked
- He rewards the righteous
Four: ...so that we will be glad.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord ~Psalm 92:1