Congregation

I. Introduction

          Church - Kingdom of Christ

          Christ is the head - King 

          We are all the Body of Christ - Baptized believers

 1Co 12:27 ¶ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

 

 Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. .. all to the glorify Christ

 

Each has a function, a place,, an important part  ...

 

I Cor. 12:13-22

Foot, hand, eye, ect... I am a part of the church... you are a part of the church. 

 

Eph. 4:11-16

 

II. World may only see one.  World may judge the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ by you or me. "0ne"

         

          A congregation is like a chain.  It is no stronger than its weakest link. --- cursing...drinking...lying ect.  Cause someone to stumble.

 

Ai -- Achan's sin. Joshua 7:11-13

 

We must all be strong and in the power of his might.  we must confess our sins and purify ourselves before God to be sanctify ourselves for God's service..... Moses!!!!

 

For a church to be strong it must have strong members.... Achan

 

III.  Those members must be united together --  all the links in a chain have to be strongly joined to have a good chain.  It would not be much of a chain if one link would not join itself to the others..

 

Christ prayed for unity. John 17:17-23

We must be united for Christ.  Early Church was.

 

STORY OF BULLS AND LION       

          He did not defend his position as strong as you did.

          Why should you defend him?  He did not defend you.

          He said that you did not do your part right,. wrong!

          He said that you stink. that you were not clean

          He said that you pick and play too much.

          He said that you were too serious.

          He said that you were too narrow minded.

          He said that you were weak and double minded.

          He said that he did not care if I got you.

          He said that you did not defend your position.

MISTRUST AROSE AND THE LION GOT THEM ALL.

 

 1Pe 5:8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

 

We must defend one another against gossip, sin and the world.

Put away mistrust - having forgiveness and love defend oneanother

 

Mat. 18:15-20

 Ga 6:1 ¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Do not believe hear say...

 Ga 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Remember Jesus said " a house divided cannot stand"

 

Let us be united like Christ would have us to be...

 Ro 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

 1Co 1:10 ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 Jas 2:1 ¶ My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

 

IV.  Let us draw nigh to oneanother and God/.

James 4:1-10

          Lets purify ourselves before God today and be united for the cause of Christ.

 

 Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

 Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:  12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.  13 ¶ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

 

 Ga 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.