Showing Up To Show Out!?!?
Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 56:11
0 ratings
· 270 viewsFiles
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: “I can’t wait for things to go back to the way they were before the pandemic!” some are saying. Could it be that the Heavenly Father, the God of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has upset the status quo in order to stop you from doing church the same way.
Here are some questions that should get you thinking. Where is the spiritual influence of the church? Where is the power of the church? A google search reports that there are 2.4 billion people who say that they adhere to the Christian faith, but the church is not turning the world upside down, like in Acts 17.
The numbers of those who understand the Christian faith is diminishing. Young people are going off to college or entering into the world of adults and leaving a Christian faith they say they had behind. Why is this happening?
This morning I don’t have an exhaustive or complete list of why this is happening, but I do want to offer one reason. The “progressive church” is not the called out ones assembled to usher in God’s kingdom and to carryout His Will on earth as it is in heaven.
Ghandi was asked about believing in Jesus but not being a Christian. His statement pierces at the core of our problem. He said that if today’s Christians were like the Jesus written in the Bible all of India would be Christian. In other words, if we lived out our faith as prescribed in the Word of God, the Bible, our evangelism and discipleship impact would be far greater.
I want you to consider “Why you are here?”
I want you to answer the question “Why did you show up?”
Haven’t you heard members of churches say
I don’t have time for the other church members
I just go to church and get my blessing and leave.
These are the LEAVE ME ALONE SAINTS
Haven’t you heard members of churches say
I came to get my praise on.
OR, I had a good time today.
These are the LOOK AT ME SAINTS
WHEN WE ALL SHOULD BE LEANING ON HIM OR ON CHRIST SAINTS.
Did you show up to show out?
SHOWING UP TO SHOW OUT???
17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.
18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper.
21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk.
22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.
I. SHOW UP TO SHOW UNITY
18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper.
21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk.
22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.
It refers to the divisions already addressed in chapters 1–4.
11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
1. The divisions referred to are those between the rich and the poor.
2. It refers to the fact that they did not wait for each other.
3. It refers to their forming separate groups and to lack of unity among them.
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
II. COME TOGETHER FOR THE BEST
17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.
love not loathe
help not hinder
receive not expel
greet not avoid
serve not strive against
25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.