October 15, 2007

A Fellowship of Believers

I Corinthians 1:9
We know that the church is not a building made of brick, mortar, stone, or wood. The church is not a “place”. The church is a body. A body of people who belong to God. The church is God’s flock. Jesus is the chief shepherd. Pastors are the under shepherds. The church is the body of Christ. In it He lives and through it He carries on His redemptive mission in the world. The church is a fellowship of believers into which God has called us out of darkness into light; out of death into life; out of despair into hope. In this fellowship, all believers are to share in a remarkable unity.

1. Ours is the unity of the new birth. 2. Ours is a unity of a common faith in one Lord. 3. Ours is the unity of the indwelling Spirit. 4. Ours is the unity of a goal. 5. Ours is the unity of a sustaining hope. 6. Ours is the unity of a common enemy. 7. Ours is the unity of a Divine love.
I. GOD CALLS THE CHURCH INTO BEING AS A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS BY THE MESSAGE OF A CRUCIFIED CHRIST.

A. By preaching of the crucifixion, men are made to see the severity of sin and the love of the saviour. B. Man is made to see the horrors of hell and the hope of salvation.
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I. GOD CALLS THE CHURCH INTO BEING AS A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.

A. Resurrection transformed tragedy into triumph.B. Resurrection transformed defeated disciples into dynamic servants. C. Resurrection transforms dead sinners into live Saints.

III. GOD CALLS THE CHURCH INTO BEING AS A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS BY THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

A. The Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin.
B. The Holy Spirit brings the miracle of the new birth.
C. The Holy Spirit brings maturity of members.
D. The Holy Spirit brings power to the message.

IV. GOD CALLS THE CHURCH INTO BEING AS A FELLOWSHIP BY MEANS OF THE WITNESS OF BELIEVERS.

The church as a witnessing fellowship is God’s last hope, and the world’s ONLY hope. The story is told that the angel Gabriel asked Jesus as He prepared to come into the world, “What is this plan fails?” God’s reply was, “There is no other plan.”
God needs the testimony of satisfied customers.

V. GOD CALLS THE CHURCH INTO BEING AS A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS THROUGH THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL. (Romans 1:16) The Gospel is the death, burial and the resurrection of Christ. We must proclaim it.

A. Because of His command.B. Because of man’s need. C. Because of our duty.

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