DNA Sermon series #2 What is a Church? part 2
DNA Who we are as a church Sermon series #1b
ABC May 23, 2021
WHAT IS THE CHURCH? Part 2
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
INTRODUCTION:
There are a few words in the English language that I just love to say, the words just roll off the tongue: Medulla oblongata, onomatopoeia, kerfuffle, equilibrium…there are a lot of them! I want us to spend some time talking about another cool word, DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID, or DNA. DNA is the chemical name for the molecule that carries genetic instructions in all living things.
DNA is the code of life that defines who you are—and the church, ABC, has one too. Our DNA describes the CENTER of who we are as a church. Over the course of this series, we will be looking at God’s plan for the church, why ABC exists, what we believe, details of our DNA and how we are going to get there. I hope you will commit to being in EVERY service of this very important sermon series.
LISTEN: the church began in the heart of God and exists for the glory of God. God began His church to manifest His glory to the whole world.
Last week, we began by seeing that the Church is a local visible assembly of saved, scripturally baptized believers in covenant relationship with God and each other and have been commissioned to carry out the Lord’s work on Earth and that the Lord takes care of His church. This week, we will see a practical description of the Lord’s church.
The Bible describes a church in many ways: a body (1 Cor. 12), a building (1 Pet. 2), and a bride (Ephesians 5) to name a few.
BIG IDEA:
The church is a SPECIAL COMMUNITY for believers to BELONG, to be TAUGHT, to be LOVED, and to be ENCOURAGED in their spiritual JOURNEY.
BODY:
I. THE CHURCH PLAINLY DEFINED Matthew 16:13-18,
1 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:2, Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, Revelation 1:4, 2-3
II. THE CHURCH POWERFULLY DEFENDED vs. 18b, Acts 20:28
III. THE CHURCH PRACTICALLY DESCRIBED 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Note: We talked about the prayer of Jabez a few weeks ago and I want us to look at it again. The prayer of Jabez unveils 4 practical descriptions of the church. These four things must capture our attention if we are to be the church that God has called us to be.
A. A Perpetual Identity v. 9, Isaiah 53:3
1. As the People of Jesus Christ
2. With the Program of Jesus Christ
3. With the Persecution of Jesus Christ
B. A Progressive Identity
1. A Ministry of Divine Expectation
2. A Ministry of Divine Expansion
3. A Ministry of Divine Energy
C. A Pure Identity
1. The Confession of Our Sin
2. The Cost of Our Sin
D. A Powerful Identity 1 Chronicles 29:11-12, Jeremiah 33:3, 29:13, 2 Chronicles 16:9
1. The Danger
2. The Dynamic
3. The Desire
IV. THE CHURCH PUBLICLY DECLARED Acts 2:42-47
Note: Do you remember what we talked about last week…here is the church, here is the steeple, open it up and see all the people? Our church is publicly declared through our signage and advertisements, but it is most advertised in the lives of her members! Let’s talk about this church because our CHURCH DNA must be found in YOUR DNA. How do we publicly declare our church?
A. You SECURE the Unity of ABC
1. by acting in love
2.by following the leadership
B. You SHARE the Responsibility of ABC
1. by praying for growth
2. by proclaiming the gospel
C. You SERVE the Ministry of ABC
1. discover your gift
2. develop your gift
3. display your gift
D. You SUPPORT the Testimony of ABC
1. protect her reputation by your example
2. promote her relationships by your attendance
3. provide her resources by your giving
NEXT STEPS:
• Never allow a day to pass without taking time to pray for ABC
• Never speak with anyone without saying a word of praise about ABC
• Never fail to show friendliness and kindness in all services, especially to someone new
• Never push ABC down into a place of lesser importance as compared to other social engagements
• Never refuse an opportunity to serve
• Attend every service that you possibly can
CONCLUSION:
God’s church triumphant is still alive and we want to see her grow! It is God’s Will for every life for a person to be SAVED, SCRIPTURALLY baptized and to JOIN His Church…where are you along that journey?