Virtual Service January 29, 2023
The Church of The Living God P4
I will build My church…
Local Churches Have All They Need From God To Function Independently Because Of The Holy Spirit
Acts 13:1-3 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
The New Testament Outlines A Strategy Of Local Churches In Every Area
Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus…
Galatians 1:2 …all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus…
Philippians 1:1 …to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons…
A Sending Church Has An Expanded Reach Through Missionary Support
Acts 14:26-27 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Doctrinal Issues Can Be Resolved By The Local Church By Revealed Biblical, Apostolic Truth (The Bible)
Acts 15:1-4 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 15:1-4 The church sent them on their way and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
The Risen Lord Jesus Christ Is The Head Of The Church Sustaining, Cleansing And Correcting It Throughout Time Or Place
Revelation 1:10-20 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I AM Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last: What thou seest, write in a book and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus and unto Smyrna and unto Pergamos and unto Thyatira and unto Sardis and unto Philadelphia and unto Laodicea and I turned to see the voice that spake with me…
Being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks and in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes as a flame of fire and His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace and His voice as the sound of many waters.
He had in His right hand seven stars: out of His mouth went a sharp two edged sword: His countenance was as the sun that shineth in its strength. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not! I AM the First and the Last: I AM He that liveth and was dead; behold, I AM alive for evermore, Amen ! I have the keys of hell and of death!
Write the things which thou hast seen and the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
-The church of Ephesus…faithful, doctrinally sound, but has lost first love. Repent and return to first love…
-The church in Smyrna…poor, persecuted, be faithful to death.
-The church in Pergamos…faithful, martyrs, some doctrinal compromise, Word of God will fight with if no repentance.
-The church in Thyatira…good work, service and faith; false doctrine mixed in, (spirit of Jezebel and Satanic falsity)-The church in Sardis…Imperfect works, in need of repentance, not ready for His return, Strengthen what remains …
-The church in Philadelphia…known for its work, has kept the Word, has some strength; will be kept from the time of testing.
-The church of the Laodiceans…Lukewarm, rich, overconfident, naked, pitiful and poor in sight of God…direct appeal to individuals to open the door to the Lord…