Notes from November 30, 2008

Here are the notes from this morning's study. Have a great week.

Study Notes and Questions for November 30, 2008

1. We will cover what we believe the Church is
   
2. We will cover what we base our belief on
   
3. We will cover what we do based on this belief
   

Why do you come to Church here?


What we believe the Church is:
Headed by Christ
Fellowship
Building Each other Up
United
Evangelistic
Devoted to God’s Purpose
All are priests
Church is married to Christ / One with Christ
Disciplined to pure doctrine
Provides service to the community

What do we base this belief on?
Headed by Christ – Gal 3:28 and Ephesians 5:23-24
Fellowship – Luke 22:19 and Acts 12:5
Building Each other Up – Ephesians 4:12 and Galatians 6:10
United as One Body – 1 Cor 12:12 and 12:25-26
Evangelistic – Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8
All are priests – 1 Peter 2:5
Church is married to Christ / One with Christ – 2 Cor 11:2 and Ephesians 5:25-27
Disciplined to pure doctrine / Accountability – 1 Cor 5:7
Provide service – Acts 10:38
Joined together by God – Eph 1:22-23

Based on this – who should NOT be accepted into the CHURCH? What would you base your answer on?

In a prior class we described Christian Fellowship as the ‘gathering together to glorify God’ – our purpose is to Glorify Him.

What should we DO based on this?


One Body – Headed by Christ -
Read Ephesians 5:30 – Why does Christ care about the Church?

The reason why Christ cares for the church is made clear in verse 30. It is because Christians are living parts of His body. In Ephesians 4:25 (remember the start of last Sunday’s lesson) Paul has dealt with the relationship of the member to one another individually. Here he is concerned with their relationship as a whole. Earlier in the letter he has spoken about the church as a body whose head is Christ (1:22, 23; 4:12; 16). Here he stresses the closeness of the Christian’s communion with Christ as a part (mele) of Himself, just as the branches are part of the vine.

Do we see our church family as part of our own body?

Do we let our hand on our own body wither or do we take care of it?

How should we take care of our own body (our family and especially our spouse)? - What SPECIFIC things can you site about how you ensure the love for your family helps the family live?

Read Genesis 2:24

Paul introduces the verse from Genesis at this point to substantiate his argument from Scripture, as did Jesus himself. It had already been shaping his thought in this section.

“For this reason” (anti toutou) is not a preface to the quotation but part of it. When Adam recognized that Eve was part of himself (“bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh” Gen 2:23), Genesis 24 adds: “Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife and they become one flesh”. The marriage tie takes precedence over every other human relationship and for this reason is to be regarded as inviolable. Nevertheless, what is basically a divine ordinance is graciously designed for mutual satisfaction and delight. “United” means closely joined (proskollesthesetai, literally, “will be glued”). It is because of this exalted biblical view of marital relations that the church has taken its stand on the indissolubility of the marital bond.

Why is it important that Christ would be the head of the church?

What would happen if Christ was not the head of the church? Who or where would we look for guidance – (systems of church government have been stood up as we look elsewhere for guidance)?

References for 'The Church'

Here is an excerpt from the Baptist Faith and Message - Doctinal information from the Southern Baptist Convention. The great part here is the bible references used.

References for Ordinances and Sunday Worship

Here is an excerpt from the Baptist Faith and Message - Doctinal information from the Southern Baptist Convention. The great part here is the bible references used. I will post one on 'the church' in the next few minutes.

Notes for December 7, 2008

The last chapter of Paul Little's book - Chapter 10 - includes discussion on 'Things to Come'. Certainly prophecy in the bible has been shown to be accurate as we look back on these. That said, it is also true that most all of those involved in the prophecy at the time it was being given had no idea what it meant (Ref Isa or Daniel). Even more interesting is that they didn't know when it was going to happen. As we discussed two weeks ago, the angels don't even know when things will happen and instead of wrestling with that, consistently follow and look to God.

All of the above said, our last study in the book should raise interesting and important questions about what is to come. I am sure that as we look back (when we are in heaven) on what did occur we will more fully see what God was telling us in the bible about what is to come for us. I do encourage you to concentrate on the section 'what is certain' in the book as it is a fundamental teaching important to both those that have been saved and those that have not. The remainder of the book gives great and concise information about what we believe and scholars think with regard to end times. I also know that the great mysteries of God and His prophecies (not ours!) have been thought to be understood in the past and have shown to be His timing and His meaning, not ours.

It will be a great overlay to begin the book of Daniel at the end of this book and right before we celebrate the one and only gift of God incarnate. At the end of Daniel the prophetic information will certainly lead us into continued discussion around our future and the glory of Jesus Christ.

Only one question of the week for this chapter - Do YOU desire to depart and be together with Christ? Phil 1:23?

What is the purpose of the Church

To continue our discussion on November 30, 2008 -

From Gotquestions.org

Question: "What is the purpose of the church?"

Answer: Acts 2:42 could be considered a purpose statement for the church, “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” So, according to this Scripture, the purposes / activities of the church should be: (1) teaching Biblical doctrine, (2) providing a place of fellowship for believers, (3) observing the Lord’s supper, and (4) praying.The church is to teach Biblical doctrine so we can be grounded in our faith. Ephesians 4:14 tells us, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” The church is to be a place of fellowship, where Christians can be devoted to one another and honor one another (Romans 12:10), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and most importantly love one another (1 John 3:11).The church is to be a place where believers can observe the Lord’s supper, remembering Christ’s death and shed blood on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The concept of “breaking bread” (Acts 2:42) also carries the idea of having meals together. This is another example of the church promoting fellowship. The final purpose of the church according to Acts 2:42 is prayer. The church is to be a place that promotes prayer, teaches prayer, and practices prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”Another “commission” given to the church is proclaiming the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The church is called to be faithful in sharing the Gospel through word and deed. The church is to be a “lighthouse” in the community – pointing people towards our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The church is to both promote the Gospel and prepare its members to proclaim the Gospel (1 Peter 3:15).Some final purposes of the church are given in James 1:27, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” The church is to be about the business of ministering to those who are in need. This includes not only sharing the Gospel, but also providing for physical needs (food, clothing, shelter) as necessary and appropriate. The church is also to equip believers in Christ with the tools they need to overcome sin and remain free from the pollution of the world. This is done by the principles given above – Biblical teaching and Christian fellowship.So, with all that said, what is the purpose of the church? I like the illustration in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. The church is God’s “body” – we are His hands, mouth, and feet in this world. We are to be doing the things that Jesus Christ would do if He were here physically on the earth. The church is to be “Christian” – “Christ-like” and Christ-following.

References from November 2, 2008

References from November 2, 2008 – Are you alone in your sin?

Sin?
Psalm 51:5 – David – we are born in sin
Rom 3:23 – All have sinned
Rom 6:20-23 – Are we slave to sin
James 2:10 – If we are guilty of one sin we are guilty of all
James 4:1 – this comes from the inside
Matt 12:33-37 – What comes out of you?

So you have sin…
1 John 1:8 – If you say you have no sin you lie
1 John 1:5 – God can have NO sin / darkness
Luke 16:19-31 – Rich Man did not argue that he sinned and would be separated for eternity

Where do we go then?
1 John 1:9 – He saves from ALL unrighteousness
John 15:5 – Only with Christ can you do anything
Phil 4:8-9 – What should you think and dwell on and who to follow?
Eph 1:7 – Redemption is only through Christ (match to 1 John 1:5 separation)

What do we do?
1 Pet 3:18 – No action by you
1 Pet 1:14-16 – By holy – really? Can you? No
Eph 3:20 - Trust in the Lord
Psalm 119:9-16 – Commit to His Word to your heart and mind
Eph 3:16 – Pray – He alone can save you
Eph 3:20 – Trust