HEAVEN ON EARTH PART 2 WHEN THE CHURCH COMES TOGETHER

Heaven on Earth, Part 2 - Discipleship

Intro: Castaway

The church gathers to worship God

Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV2011)
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

The church gathers to edify one another

Ephesians 4: 16 (NIV2011)
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

We complement one another in service
Application: Parts need the body
Application: The body needs its parts
Application: PLACE

We learn and live by biblical truth

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV2011)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Example: Professor’s Study Guide
Application: Bible Education at FRC

We commit to Christian fellowship

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV2011)
24  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
25  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

We encourage one another
Example: Home field advantage

Galatians 6:2 (NIV2011)
2  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

We bear one another’s burdens

Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV2011)
15  “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16  But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17  If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

We lovingly correct and restore one another
Example: Doctor

We commit to Christian fellowship

Acts 2:42 (NIV2011)
42  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Application: Why join a church?
Example: Marriage

Romans 12:10-21 (NIV2011)
10 Be devoted to one another in love.