HANDOUT FOR SERMON: BENEFITS OF CHRIST’S CHURCH.                                         “Creating New Testament Church Culture” August 29, 2021, Sunday 9:30 a.m.

INTRODUCTION:

A brief review:                                                                                                                                                      Two Sunday’s ago, we considered the unfortunate situation that there are many misunderstandings about the New Testament Church. Without a serious and questioning spirit for truth – you may never truly have a perfect or complete understanding of the Church Jesus built.

The Church is a magnificent spiritual family made up of people after God’s own heart. All who belong to God’s family today are “blood” connected, connected by the blood of Jesus Christ, bought with the blood of Christ. No humans being has the right nor power to add people to God’s family and no human have the power nor right to remove people from God’s family.

Greek word for church: EKKLESIAS – which means the “called out” people. Jesus promised to build His church, Matthew 16:18, the Lord added people to His Church, Acts 2:47, The lord adds and the Lord takes away, Revelation 22:18-19. God will judge His people, Hebrews 10:3, Hebrews 12:12.

As the “called out” – we are called:

Into the grace of Christ, Galatians 1:6.
Called saints, 1 Corinthians 1:2.
Called us to peace, 1 Corinthians 7:15.
Called us to His kingdom, 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13.
Called out of darkness, 1 Peter 2:9.
Called us to glory and virtue, 2 Peter. 1:3.

LESSON:

CREATING NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH CULTURE.                                                                  What is the New Testament Church, an institution or a family?

Define the word Culture:

Manifestation of human collective intellect, behavior, conduct and way of life.
The customs and achievements of a particular people or social group.
Synonyms: lifestyle, values, ways, habits, customs, traditions.
Culture is visible.
Others take note and are able to identify culture.

1.THE CONCEPT OF “KNOWN.                                                                                                                                     ” What are “we” known for? What do others say about us? About you?

Scripture: Acts 2:46-47, Matthew 5:14-16, Acts 9:42, Acts 19:17-19, 2 Corinthians 3:2, Philippians 4:5.

TRUE DISCIPLES ARE TO BE KNOWN AND NOTICED! Followers of Christ should have a lifestyle, values, habits and traditions which make an impact on others in a good way.

Scripture: Acts 2:46, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:12-13, 2 Timothy 3:10, 1 Peter 1:14. Colossians 3:15-16, 1 Corinthians 3:8-9, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.

We, Christians should have a “culture.”

Culture of being Christ-like.
Culture of practicing the fruits of the Spirit.
Culture of connection and caring.
Culture of evangelism.

WHY IS THERE A CHURCH FAMILY? The Church was built and designed for the benefit of God’s family.

God designed the Church to:

To hold you up in your troubled times in life.
To inspire you with higher thoughts and better dispositions & attitudes.
To give you power to lift yourself up to the heavenly.
To worship God collectively.

Scripture: Acts 2:41-42 & 43-47, Romans 12:1-2, Romans 12:4-21, 1 Corinthians 12:11-31

GOD CALLS US TO BE TOGETHER. Why did God ask us to assemble and spend time together? He knew it was needful for us! He did it because He cares!

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47, Roman 15:13-14, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:18 & 5:11