Handout for the sermon: FINDING THE LORD’S HOUSE, THE LORD’S CHURCH.     April 17th, 2022, Manchester, TN 9:30 a.m.

INTRODUCTION:                                                                                                                                               Today is a special day we call “Easter Sunday.” What do you know about the concept of Easter? The events around Easter Sunday have their origin in the Jewish celebration of “Passover.” It was a Jewish religious celebration to remind the Israelite people that God delivered them out of slavery in Egypt. The term “eater” comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word “Eastre” dating prior to 899 A.D. This word relates to “Estre”, the goddess of the rising of day and spring, an important deity in Germanic paganism and folklore. Ester is the English equivalent for the official Latin term for the resurrection which is “Pascha resurrectionis.”  Passover was a Jewish holiday to remember deliverance. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was crucified around the religious feast of Passover. The Old Testament prophesied a bout the life and work of the Messiah.  Jesus was to be our “deliverer”!

Jesus is called our “Passover lamb” came to save us from our sins and deliver us from condemnation and the wrath of God in judgment.  So, Jesus became our deliverer. Galatians 1:4-5, 1 Thessalonians 1:10.  The Old Testament is full of prophesy of the Messiah, Jesus Christ and His coming and His building His kingdom or the house of the Lord or His Church.  I would like for this to be our topic of study today.

Prophecy of the Lord’s House/Kingdom of Christ/Church”: Isaiah 2:1-5, Micah 4:1-5, Daniel 2:44, 1 Timothy 3:15.                                                                                                                                 Jesus, while on earth, taught the Kingdom is near: Matthew 3:2, 4:17 &23, Matthew 10:17.

Personal illustration: Things I like and make great effort to find! Nice gardens and historic homes.

LESSON: FINDING THE LORD’S HOUSE.                                                                                    Are you looking for the “Lord’s house,” because you should be and need to be?                           Matthew 13:45-46 The Pearl of Great Price.  How will you know if you find it? Personal effort in finding it and an interest in helping others find it as well.  We all play an important part in bringing people to Christ and His Kingdom.

THE NATURE OF THE TRUE CHURCH, Isaiah 2:1-5 Characteristics of the Lord’s house! 

1.PEACEMAKERS. ISAIAH 11:1-9                                                                                                        A prophecy of Jesus, the Messiah and His qualities and purpose and His influence on the world and His people or followers.

Scripture: Matthew 5:9, Romans 14:19, Romans 12:18, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Colossians 3:15,  Hebrews 12:14, James 3:17-18, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:7-11    

ENCOURAGERS. ISAIAH 35:1-10                                                                                              Jesus and His People, His kingdom, His church and how they live and interact with others. 

Scripture: Romans 15:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 15:5, Romans 1:11-12.

REJOICERS. ISAIAH 51:1-11 Jesus and His kingdom are filled with people who have great reason for joy, as we are saved, have hope of eternal life, are owned by Jesus Christ, and are filled with the spirit of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit.  Look to the MANY examples of God providing for His people in amazing ways.

Scripture: Isaiah 61:10, Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Romans 12:1 & 15-18, Romans 14:17, 1 Peter 1:8-9.

WELCOMERS. ISAIAH 55:1-13 The prophets prophesy of a place where everyone is invited. Everyone is included to become a part. This helps us understand the evangelistic work of Jesus on the earth. No longer would God be focused primarily on only one group or nation of people. The inclusiveness of the Kingdom is a part of Christs Kingdom.

Scripture: Matthew 7:24, Mark 8:34-35, Luke 14:13-14, John 4:14, Romans 10:13, Romans 15:7, 1 Corinthians 12:14-27, Galatians 3:27-28, Colossians 3:11, James 2:1-4, 1 Corinthians 6:7-11

CONCLUSION:  When we study the prophecies about the Kingdom of Christ of which the Church is a part, we learn much about those who are citizens of Christ’s Kingdom. We learn how they think, how they live and how they will treat their fellowman.  This has always been the plan for the Kingdom.  The Kingdom is to reflect the very essence of its KING, JESUS CHRIST.

I encourage you to study and learn about the church that Jesus built. Know its nature and characteristics to recognize it.  I hope and pray you will start seriously looking for the Lord’s house or the Lord’s House that the prophet Isaiah spoke about.

When you find it make sure you become a part of it! If you are already a part of it, then study and learn more fully how we are to think, to live and spread the message of Christ.