25 Year Anniversary - MSQ
Part of 25 Year Anniversary
April 8, 2024

25 Years of Freshwater (2).png

25 Year Anniversary

Message Summary

Jesus said he would build his church which would defeat death and evil. The church is supremely important because it is the steward of the gospel, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the only way to eternal life. In the NT, church almost always refers to local groups of believers gathered into a community. Believers should be connected to a local church because it is commanded, demonstrates our faith to unbelievers and encourages fellow believers (Hebrews 10:23-25). God wants believers connected to Himself and one another in relationships of love (John 13:35, 17:20-21), hence, the church. Only in the church can believers exercise their spiritual gifts and contribute to building up the church (Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Corinthians 12:7). As iron sharpens iron one person sharpens another’s faith. The local church enables believers to participate in the commanded ordinances, The Lord’s Supper and baptism. Through the local church, believers give and receive comfort in loss and affliction (2 Corinthians 1:3-4. And through the local church, believers can learn from bible teachers, have deep relationships, and experience the power of prayer and worship unleashed (Matthew 18:19-20).

  1. How long have you attended Freshwater?

  2. Why is the local church important? Why is it important to you?

  3. Do you think all believers should go to church?

Consider This

Scriptures often use metaphors to convey Biblical truths. The church grows and works together as a body, the body of Christ (Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31), as a building-house-temple in Ephesians 2:19-22, as a field (1 Corinthians 3:8-9), a flock (John 10:1-16), 1Peter 5:2), and as a family of God (Ephes 2:19, 1 Peter 2:17).

  1. Read Matthew 16:17-19.

    • Why was Peter blessed?

    • Who do you think is the foundation of the Church (see Ephesians 2:20, Revelation 21:14 and compare with 1 Corinthians 3:11)?

    • Is the word “rock” in verse 18 another metaphor? How does it work together?

    • What do you think the “keys of the Kingdom of Heaven” means? (see also Revelation 1:8 and 3:7)

  2. Why is being part of a church body so important?

  3. Believers are taught and commanded to love, forgive, care for, tolerate, comfort and especially encourage one another among other things (Romans 13:8, Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:2, 25, 32, etc).

    • Can the “one-another’s” be lived out apart from the local church? How?

    • Which “one-another” means the most to you?

  4. Read John 13:35 and 17:20-21. What effect does Christian Love and unity have on unbelievers? What happens when it is absent?

  5. What role and duty do you currently have in the building of God’s Church?

  6. Read Malachi 3:8-12. Why do many Christians ignore God’s command to “tithe”?

  7. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. How can you encourage someone to be generous?

Moving forward – Application

The church is Jesus’ idea, His plan for the redemption of all people. The Church is the only hope for humankind always and especially in times of tribulation such as believers are encountering now worldwide.

  1. How could you make a public statement of your faith in Jesus this week?

  2. How is understanding the gospel and coming to faith supernatural?

  3. Using a cross-reference or Bible search program such as Bible Gateway to look up the passages on “one another” in the New Testament this week. Make a specific plan to engage in these activities with other believers at Freshwater this week.

Resource: https://www.biblegateway.com/