The Church

August 20, 2017

Back to Basics

The Church
Acts 2:42-47

What's the primary goal of the church? Is it to preach through the Bible and grow in our knowledge of Jesus? Is it to reach people with the Gospel, and see them set free?

We can preach through the Bible and grow in our knowledge of Jesus, and we can reach people with the Gospel, and see them set free, and those are amazing byproducts of the Church.  But the primary goal of the church is to worship God, and serve our creator.  That’s the key to church, it’s not about us.

David Platt, President of the International Mission Board:
The message of biblical Christianity is not “God loves me, period,” as if we were the object of our own faith.

The message of biblical Christianity is “God loves me, so that I might make him - his ways, his salvation, his glory, and his greatness - known among the nations.”

God is the object of our faith, and Christianity centers around him. We are not the end of the Gospel, God is.

1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

1 John 1:5
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

Isaiah 40:28
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

Psalm 18:30
As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

What should the church look like to accomplish this? The most complete view of the church we have in the Bible is:

Acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

If we are getting Back to Basics with the Church, we need to realize that the church is not about us. It’s about Him.

Communication Card
1. I want to join a life group!
2. I will be a part of the church to serve my creator, not be comfortable.
3. I will focus on Jesus/God as the object of my faith, not myself.