1/31/2016
The Church–Pt. 4
Matthew 16:18 I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it…
Healthy Churches Have Balance
Acts 2:42–47 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
A Healthy Church Prioritizes Bible Teaching
Acts 2:42 …they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever!
Matthew 5:18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Isaiah 55:11 My Word that goes out from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it!
John 8:2 At dawn He appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around Him, and He sat down to teach them.
Mark 2:13 Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.
Ezra 7:10 Ezra devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
Nehemiah 8:7-8 The Levites…instructed the people in the Law while the people stood. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
2nd Timothy 3:15-17 …from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 4:12 The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
A Healthy Church Is People Who Love to Assemble!
Acts 2:42 …and to fellowship & the breaking of bread…
Hebrews 10:24-25 …let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 12:22-23 …you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant…
A Healthy Church Communicates With God …and to prayer
Matthew 14:23 After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone… (Individual)
Luke 9:28-31 He took Peter, John and James with Him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about His departure, which He was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. (Corporate)
A Healthy Church Is Generous
…All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Proverbs 11:25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Psalm 37:26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.
Proverbs 22:9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
1 Timothy 6:18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Healthy Churches Grow With God & In Reputation
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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.