Our High Calling - Series 1
Our High Calling • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 views3 Series that will explore what it means to be part of a church community.
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV)
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
What is the Church?
What is the Church?
Growing up on the Atlantic Coast, I spent long hours working on intricate sand castles; whole cities would appear beneath my hands. One year, for several days in a row, I was accosted by bullies who smashed my creations. Finally I tried an experiment: I placed cinder blocks, rocks, and chunks of concrete in the base of my castles. Then I built the sand kingdoms on top of the rocks. When the local toughs appeared (and I disappeared), their bare feet suddenly met their match. Many people see the church in grave peril from a variety of dangers: secularism, politics, heresies, or plain old sin. They forget that the church is built upon a Rock (Mt. 16:16), over which the gates of hell itself shall not prevail.
Gregory P. Elder.
Definition:
Definition:
The Greek definition of the word church is Ekkésia which is made up of two words:
Ek = Out from and to
Kaleó = To call
By its own definition we are uniquely identified in our calling out of the world into a new kind of community. Peter says:
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
A Brief History
A Brief History
Many would refer back to the books of Acts as the origin of the church, but I’d argue that the church goes as far back as Abraham, when God enters into a covenant relationship with him and “his seed”.
Genesis 17:3–6 (ESV)
3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.
That nation is the church, we are a covenant people in a covenant relationship with God.
The Book of Acts
The Book of Acts
Pentecost (Acts 2):
The book begins with the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles and other believers who were gathered in Jerusalem.
This event marks the birth of the Christian church, as the apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to preach the gospel.
Preaching and Miracles (Acts 3-5):
Peter and John perform miracles and preach about Jesus, leading to the conversion of many people in Jerusalem.
The apostles are arrested and persecuted by the Jewish religious leaders but continue to boldly proclaim their faith.
Expansion Beyond Jerusalem (Acts 8-12):
Persecution in Jerusalem scatters believers, leading to the spread of Christianity to Samaria and other regions.
The conversion of Saul (later known as the Apostle Paul) on the road to Damascus marks a significant turning point as he becomes a prominent figure in the early church.
The First Church Council (Acts 15):
A major issue arises regarding whether Gentile converts to Christianity need to follow Jewish customs, particularly circumcision.
The Apostles and elders gather in Jerusalem to address this issue, resulting in a decision to welcome Gentile believers without imposing Jewish rituals.
Paul's Missionary Journeys (Acts 13-28):
Paul embarks on several missionary journeys to spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire.
He establishes and strengthens many Christian communities in Asia Minor, Greece, and other regions.
The inclusion of Gentiles in the church becomes a central theme in his ministry.
Growth and Persecution (Throughout Acts):
The church faces ongoing challenges, including opposition from religious and political authorities, as well as internal conflicts.
Despite persecution, the Christian community continues to grow and thrive.
Paul's Arrest and Journey to Rome (Acts 21-28):
Paul is arrested in Jerusalem and taken to Rome to stand trial.
During his journey to Rome, he continues to preach and teach, even while in custody.
A Three Tier Cake
A Three Tier Cake
John Stott says:
“The church lies at the very center of the eternal purpose of God. It is not a divine afterthought. It is not an accident of history. On the contrary, the church is God’s new community. For his purpose, conceived in a past eternity, being worked out in history, and to be perfected in a future eternity.”
Preaching
Communion
Evangelism
Preaching
Preaching
“My brethren, if we are to see the church of God really restored to her pristine glory, we must have back this plain, simple, gospel-preaching. ...This must be the hammer that we bring down upon the anvil of the human heart again, and again, and again. ...God forbid that we should know anything among men save Jesus Christ and him crucified!”— Spurgeon
The Purpose of Preaching
Faith
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Love
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Action
33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Responsibility
Proverbs 28:13 (ESV)
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Communion
Communion
“The Communion service points to Christ's second coming. It was designed to keep this hope vivid in the minds of the disciples.... In their tribulation they found comfort in the hope of their Lord's return. Unspeakably precious to them was the thought, “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.” SD 158.5
Evangelism
Evangelism
“The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.” ― William Temple
The Golden Thread
The Golden Thread
What runs through this tier is hope:
Hope in God’s Promises
Hope in God’s Salvation
Hope in God’s Guidance
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.