Ephesians 4:29-5:2
We don’t have to turn on CNN or read the newspaper to know that our world is wicked. Americans are turning away from the Christian valves that they knew from birth. The “fell good preachers” or the “if you want a blessing from God than send us a gift to us” preaching on how they could get rich instead on the real life issues and salvation. The church building are going down faster than the stock market and our nation is. All the signs and studies show one thing in common, the church need to get back to the heart of worship.
3 Things that the Church needs to get Back too.
I. Love each other.
The world today has many definitions of what love means. The Oxford University Press Dictionary define love as: “an intense feeling of deep affection. 2 a deep romantic or sexual attachment to someone” The Holman CSB Dictionary and Concordance define love as followed “unselfish or loyal, intention and commitment toward someone.” Those are some great ways do define love, but that is not what love is. If we really want to find what love means, we must start at the Cross and spend TIME to see the real definition of love.
1 John 3:15
1 John 4:20-21
Love is the key to everything. The Lord wants us to love each other no matter what race, gender, height, our grades or whatever. There are NO exceptions.
II. Stop Judging Others for what they have done.
Matthew 7:1-5
James 4:11
Kurt A. Richardson, of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, said in his interpretation of this verse in The New American Commentary, that : “They should
“speak and act as those who are gong to be judge by the law that gives freedom” (2:12)
through mercy and not place themselves above the law by placing themselves above others
through their sins of slander.” Richardson also stated that : “Slander was consider a vice
in the ancient world, and by interjecting it here, James pronounce a judgment on their
beaver that they had not expected.” (p.194,96)
What James is saying is that if you judge or criticize each other for what they do, you are judging the law and become the judge over everyone. Jesus is the ONLY JUDGE.
When we hear or find out about what someone has done we have to tell the wrong and the good Lord know that we’re going to hear about it for years. Jesus said “whom here among us who is without sin go and cast the first stone” They all took their stone and
threw them on the ground. We forgive others without having to be asked for forgiveness. Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount: “you should forgive others before your father in Heaven can forgive you.
Ephesians 4:32
Galatians 6:10 (The Amplified Translation of the Bible) 10 So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].
III. The Church Needs to Start to do what they are Commanded to do.
The church and the church building are not the same as it was back in the day. There are more arguments, more judgmental, and more denomination or branches of Christianity more than ever in the Christian church. It also has forgotten the call of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave us.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) reports that over 80%, 80% of teenagers between the 7th and the 12th grade will stop going to church. This is one statistic that we must change.
Matthew 28:18-20
The Lord's Gospel has not reached its final destination if someone in your family, your workplace, your school, or your community hasn't heard the Good News about Jesus Christ and haven't accepted Him as their Lord and Savior.
There are many of us in churches today, across the nation, that have harden hearts. The Lord cannot use anyone with a hardened heart. We often worry if our beliefs will be affected in some way. IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU! IT'S ABOUT GLORYFIDING THE LORD AND DOING WHAT HE WANTS US TO DO! Every denomination needs to learn that it is not about if you a Baptist or Church of God or whatever and relax
that being a Baptist will not get your into Heaven only if you a child of living God will get you there. We must work together for the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 4:11-13 ( God's Word Testament ) 11He also gave apostles, prophets, missionaries, as well as pastors and teachers as gifts {to his church} 12Their purpose is to prepare God’s people, to serve, and to build up the body of Christ. 13This is to continue
until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.
We need to wake up and realized that the Lord has something to say and He wants to use us to say it. The church has the potential to do something great for the kingdom of God. It's up to you if if your want to turn that potential into production.
Closing:
A. How do you treat some of your “weaker” or less desirable brothers and sisters in
Christ? How can you make them feel more loved?
B. What is keeping your church or team from modeling the church as it was meant to be?
What can you do to help bring unity?
Posts
