INTRODUCTION: The Need for Purpose and the story of illusionist David Blaine
MELISSA’S answer:
TECHNICAL answer: “The church’s purpose is the exaltation of God, the edification of the saints, and the evangelization of the world.”
RICK WARREN’S answer: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission
7 FRESH PICTURES OF THE CHURCH:
1 - The Church is a
of Heaven!
Matthew 16:13 - 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi…
v18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (NLT)
“This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.” (MSG)
2 - The Church is the
Router of God’s Grace!
1 PETER 4:10 (NIVUK) - Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
’Steward’ = dee-auk-on-ay-o = table
3 - The Church is the
Room for the Soul!
Luke 5:31 (NLT)… 31 … “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
4 - The Church is a Charging
for the Spirit!
Isaiah 40:31(NLT) - 31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Ephesians 3:16 (NLT) - I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.
5 - The Church is a
of Worship!
Ephesians 5:19-20 (CEV) - 19 When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. 20 Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.
Revelation 7:9-12 (NLT) - 9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. 12 They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
6 - The Church is the
of Faith!
Ephesians 6:16 (NLT) - 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
1 Timothy 4:1-6 (NLT) - 1Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead…6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.
7 - The Church is the
Studio for the Kingdom!
The No. 1 Animated Movie:
1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 12, 27 (NLT) - 4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other…12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ…27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
CONCLUSION:
Q: What is the meaning and purpose of the church?
A: “We see the church with 7 fresh pictures: it is a portal of heaven inviting people in! The church is a wifi router, distributing God’s grace and love! The church is an emergency room for souls, a charging station for our spirit, a symphony of worship, the firewall of faith, and the creative studio, where Christ followers generate fresh expressions of God’s Kingdom together.”