1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:01,440 But welcome to church. My name is. 2 00:00:01,440 --> 00:00:03,760 Thomas, I'm the pastor here at Portland Gospel. 3 00:00:04,080 --> 00:00:05,520 And it's my privilege. To be able to. 4 00:00:05,520 --> 00:00:07,120 Teach God's. Word to you today. 5 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:09,240 Here at Portland Gospel, there's a couple. 6 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:11,920 Things we say regularly. We help. 7 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:15,480 We exist to help. You believe, live and share the 8 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:17,880 good news. So everything we do as a church 9 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:19,960 kind of functions around those three things. 10 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:23,720 To believe is to understand the gospel that Christ died for you 11 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:25,960 and to be saved by. Accepting that for yourself. 12 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:28,280 To live that by. Choosing. 13 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:31,240 To follow him after salvation and applying the Word. 14 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:34,200 Of God to your life. And then learning how to share. 15 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:36,840 That good news? With other people, that's the. 16 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:41,280 Duty of every Christian. We've been in a series in our 17 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:42,880 church. Called Christianity. 18 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:47,760 One O 1 and this has been both a challenge and a blessing. 19 00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:50,840 For me to take the. Simple truths. 20 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:53,320 Of the Bible. And the things that we believe. 21 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:57,360 And condense them into. 1. Small time where? 22 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:00,480 We get to talk about it, but I think it's been excellent for us 23 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:03,320 to to really consider. What is a church? 24 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:04,920 What is a? Christian, what do these? 25 00:01:04,920 --> 00:01:06,840 Things mean. And if you weren't? 26 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:08,680 Here last week. Last week was. 27 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:12,200 Perhaps the most important thing that I would ever. 28 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:15,720 Say last week was what dealt with our. 29 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:18,880 Eternal destiny and what we call salvation or being saved. 30 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:20,160 And so I want to encourage you to. 31 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:22,520 Go back and listen. To that you can find it, there's 32 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:25,120 links to stuff on our website and then the handouts that you 33 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:26,360 have. There but. 34 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:28,480 As you can see from your handouts today. 35 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:32,040 Our subject is going to be the church. 36 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:37,680 What is a church? This is a great question. 37 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:41,440 And if you just think about that, what is a church? 38 00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:42,880 Maybe. Something comes to mind. 39 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:49,480 For you, maybe you have like. A particular place. 40 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:52,240 That comes to mind. That has to be this. 41 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:58,760 Traditional style building. Maybe it has to have pews on the 42 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:00,120 inside. Maybe there's got to be. 43 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:05,960 A cross. Somewhere, maybe you've been to. 44 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:08,280 Other churches and their. Music is a whole. 45 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:09,800 Lot better. You know, they have a whole 46 00:02:09,800 --> 00:02:12,960 thing going on. Maybe it's a rock show, maybe 47 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:15,680 the pastor looks really cool and he's all tatted up and stuff. 48 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:19,880 We all have different perspectives of what a church 49 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:21,320 could be today. We're going to see. 50 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:23,600 From the scriptures that a church. 51 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:26,800 Has a particular meaning. And a thing that we can't make 52 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:29,040 it whatever we want it to be, it can look different. 53 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:32,480 Perhaps like this in Africa. This is my friend Justin 54 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:38,480 Bedwell, who's a missionary. In Africa and and people don't 55 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:40,760 always get the wonderful blessings that we have and they 56 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:43,160 still get together and call. It Church. 57 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:47,320 So today if you're taking notes, point number. 58 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,840 One is first that we'll see that a church. 59 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:56,920 Is a gathering. A church is a gathering. 60 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:00,800 So congratulations, you made it. You're in the room. 61 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:04,600 We are officially gathered. Together, but let's. 62 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:05,680 Look at. This word. 63 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:09,880 So turn your Bible to Matthew chapter 16 and verse 18. 64 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:18,080 Matthew chapter 16 and verse 18. There's a word that's used here, 65 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:19,920 and. We're going to break this word 66 00:03:19,920 --> 00:03:23,240 down to get a little better understanding of what it. 67 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:26,360 Is. In Matthew chapter 16 and verse 68 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:27,240 18. The Bible. 69 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:31,040 Says Jesus is. Speaking, he says, I say unto. 70 00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:34,720 Thee that thou art Peter. And upon this rock. 71 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:38,320 I will build my church. And the gates of hell should not 72 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:40,240 prevail. Against it. 73 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:44,120 So this word church is. From the Greek word. 74 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:47,040 Ecclesia. And I don't speak Greek. 75 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:49,400 We don't use it. Regularly, but the Bible was 76 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:51,200 originally in three different. Languages. 77 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:53,160 And now it's in English and we can learn a little bit. 78 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:55,480 More about these words. Based on the. 79 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:57,160 The words they were translated from. 80 00:03:57,560 --> 00:03:59,720 And the King James. Bible has the perfect. 81 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:02,600 Honesty of letting you know every word behind the English. 82 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:04,040 Word through what's? Called the. 83 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:07,640 Strong's Concordance. So there was a really smart guy 84 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:10,440 who indexed all of those words. So this is. 85 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:15,480 G1577. Ecclesia, the word that we get 86 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:16,240 Church. From. 87 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:19,399 It's from a compound. Use of 2 words. 88 00:04:19,399 --> 00:04:22,520 That mean to be. Called out from SO. 89 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:24,200 You're not in your homes. You're not. 90 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:26,720 Out. Chilling somewhere else, you are 91 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:27,720 called out. From those. 92 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:32,640 Places to gather together here and we see that same. 93 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:34,240 Word. Sometimes a Greek word is 94 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:37,280 translated a little bit different in English in Acts 95 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:41,280 chapter 19 and verse 41. He uses this word to describe 96 00:04:41,280 --> 00:04:43,680 an. Assembly it says he dismissed 97 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:48,080 the assembly likewise also. In the book of. 98 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:52,120 Hebrews in chapter. 12 and verse 23 the church is. 99 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:57,520 Called the General Assembly and Church of the First Born. 100 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:01,160 So today we see the. Church is an assembly, and since 101 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:05,360 it is a gathering, you cannot. Do church alone. 102 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:11,560 You can worship God alone. You can read the Bible. 103 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:13,400 Alone, you can go for a hike and pray. 104 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:16,240 But you can't do church by yourself. 105 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:17,800 Just. By the nature of the word. 106 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,840 It is an assembly. We have to come together. 107 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:23,080 That's what the word. Means. 108 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:24,960 Maybe you've heard people. Say man, I go. 109 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:27,160 I go to the. Woods and I go hunting and 110 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:29,400 that's my. Church or man? 111 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:32,000 When I'm in the car listening to music and I'm singing to Jesus. 112 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:35,200 That's my church. And I don't mean that those 113 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:37,280 aren't fine things to do. They're just not. 114 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:38,960 The use. Of the word they're not. 115 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:43,040 What the Bible calls a church, but a church is. 116 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:46,680 Also not a building. We often times. 117 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:50,840 Associate the facility with what we do at the facility. 118 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:53,960 And we do this on accident. I will do this on accident. 119 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:55,160 I'll say hey, I'll meet you at the. 120 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:57,040 Church and. What I mean? 121 00:05:57,040 --> 00:05:59,320 Is I'll meet you at the building that we gather in. 122 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,800 And that's not actually. A fair use of the word either. 123 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:04,840 Because the Bible. Shows us for. 124 00:06:04,840 --> 00:06:06,800 Example and. There's many other places, but 125 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:08,120 first. Corinthians 16. 126 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:11,000 The church. That was in their. 127 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:13,760 House, Aquila and Priscilla were some faithful. 128 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:17,520 Laborers in the Lord and Paul. Commended them and recognized 129 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:20,360 that they had a church. Meeting in their home. 130 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:25,200 So that takes away. The need for some kind of ornate 131 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:29,920 structure and that might start to already mess with our 132 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:33,360 traditions. Depending on how we were raised 133 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:36,360 or what we thought of when we. Asked that question. 134 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:40,920 What is a church? It might challenge us. 135 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:45,880 I think this is good. But for us, our church actually 136 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:47,160 started. In a home. 137 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:50,240 As well we started. In my home and we lived in 138 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:55,000 Hillsboro. Off of 185th and this was Vinny 139 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:58,680 Nigro he's a missionary to Kosovo now praise the Lord maybe 140 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:01,120 we got to hang out with Vinny that day but we. 141 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:04,320 Had many gatherings in my home. After that we started. 142 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:07,720 Meeting at APCC. College. 143 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:11,400 Classroom on Friday nights. And it didn't really. 144 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,160 Feel like church? But we were gathered together. 145 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:15,760 The Saints were there. And we were. 146 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,480 Figuring out how. To do stuff. 147 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:21,080 And next week? We're not. 148 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:23,200 Going to be in this. Room either we do what we're 149 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:24,440 calling. City. 150 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:28,920 Church once a month. We're in my office building in 151 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:30,240 the city. Let's us meet. 152 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:33,520 In a conference room. And it looks kind of like that 153 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:34,440 different. There's no. 154 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:37,400 Arched roof and. It feels different. 155 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:40,360 I like city church we. Usually connect with more guests 156 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:41,840 when we meet in the city than what we do. 157 00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:45,680 Here, but a church is. An assembly. 158 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:49,520 It's not a facility. And you can't do it alone. 159 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:53,520 Today, our notes is really just a list of things, so let's just 160 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:55,520 move on to the second one. The second one is. 161 00:07:55,840 --> 00:07:59,120 That the church there a church? Is. 162 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:02,720 Universal. I'll explain what that means. 163 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:07,680 You see all believers. In Jesus. 164 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:11,360 Christ after the Resurrection. Are a part of the. 165 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:14,160 Church. The larger church. 166 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:15,960 We if we go. Back to that. 167 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:19,320 That place in Matthew chapter 16 and verse 18. 168 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,800 Jesus says I will. Build my church. 169 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:26,400 He doesn't say churches. It's not. 170 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:28,240 Plural. So there's a. 171 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:31,360 Sense in which we call this the universal, the global. 172 00:08:32,039 --> 00:08:35,559 The maximum the big church. All Saints. 173 00:08:35,559 --> 00:08:38,120 Over the last 2000 years that have believed in the death. 174 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:42,360 Burial and resurrection. They are a part of the church. 175 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:44,520 We see a couple. Of those verses like. 176 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:48,160 Ephesians 120. 2 Where Christ is the head. 177 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:53,320 Over all things to the Church. So I put it to you this way in 178 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:58,040 your notes that. Every saved person is a part of 179 00:08:58,040 --> 00:09:04,160 God's church. Whether you attend the gathering 180 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:07,160 or not, if you have called on the Lord to save. 181 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:12,760 You through the gospel, you're a part of the church. 182 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:17,000 Now we're. Not going to end. 183 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:20,680 Here, obviously we need to get. To the local church. 184 00:09:20,680 --> 00:09:25,600 So a church is also local. Sometimes if you read 185 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:27,440 commentary. And study the Bible. 186 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:31,240 People will call. The the global church like the 187 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:32,440 mystical. Church. 188 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:34,840 Because it's not something that we can see. 189 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:38,360 You can't attend the gathering of every person that's ever 190 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:40,360 been. Saved over the last 2000 years, 191 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:44,200 nobody has ever been to a. Church like that it's. 192 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:46,440 It's impossible. When you get to heaven, you know 193 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:48,440 you'll get it off. We'll all be together then. 194 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:51,440 But for now, if you're going to meet together in a. 195 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:53,680 Church. It's going to be a local. 196 00:09:53,680 --> 00:09:59,800 Church, There is no universal gathering on the planet, so the 197 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,440 Bible mentions in. Several different places. 198 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:05,720 Churches. In certain locations unto the 199 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:07,360 church. Of God, which is at. 200 00:10:07,680 --> 00:10:09,880 Corinth, and that's where. We get the. 201 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:12,520 Epistle Epistles. In the New Testament written to 202 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:14,720 different churches. Paul says. 203 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:18,000 In every. Church, so there were multiple. 204 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:21,400 Of these assemblies and gatherings and in. 205 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:22,920 The book of Second Corinthians, he says. 206 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:28,080 Throughout all the churches. So there are many. 207 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:34,520 But for you, as we consider the subject today, of what a church. 208 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:37,240 Is it's going to get more? Intimate as we go. 209 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:45,720 What is your local church? Where is your gathering is. 210 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:48,840 This room is this. Group of people you're 211 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:50,880 gathering, you are. Welcome here, we hope. 212 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:52,560 So. If you don't have a. 213 00:10:52,560 --> 00:10:56,360 Place that you will. Call home for church gathering 214 00:10:57,480 --> 00:11:01,920 Let's look next at the. The church has members. 215 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:09,080 The church. Has members now sometimes. 216 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:12,240 We we get the. Concept of membership messed up 217 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:13,360 and. The church. 218 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:15,440 World because we think about other things. 219 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:17,560 I'm a membership at my Country Club. 220 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:21,800 Or I'm a member. My dad is a lifetime NRA member 221 00:11:21,800 --> 00:11:23,880 and he has a badge in his wallet to prove it. 222 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:28,080 You know, we we think that maybe we have. 223 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:32,480 Our our card. And I I'm I'm valued somewhere, 224 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:35,040 although I never go. I'm a member there. 225 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:37,920 And that's not really the. Way the Bible. 226 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:42,160 Uses the word member. It's actually pictured as a 227 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:45,240 body. And we have members. 228 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:48,040 In our body, as it says in Romans. 229 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:50,840 That we. The gathering. 230 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:54,160 The church. Being many are one body in 231 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:58,440 Christ and everyone members one of another. 232 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:02,520 So we're not just. Members of an organization we're 233 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:05,360 members were attached. To each other just like your 234 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:08,600 body parts are attached to each other. 235 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:12,040 That's the kind of relationship that church members. 236 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:15,720 Have together. Now, Lord willing, later. 237 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:17,520 This year. Hopefully in the spring. 238 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:20,640 We'll have a church membership kind of thing that we're going 239 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:22,160 to get together for the first time. 240 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:24,360 I'm really looking. Forward to that and we'll have 241 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:26,560 some. More teaching around it, but for 242 00:12:26,560 --> 00:12:28,960 today, since we're on the subject, I want to. 243 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:36,240 Give you 4 signs. Of a healthy church member. 4 244 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:38,560 signs of a healthy church member so turn in. 245 00:12:38,560 --> 00:12:40,520 Your Bibles to Acts chapter. 2 I don't. 246 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:44,200 Have this on the screen Acts chapter 2. 247 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:52,750 And verse 44. See, the church also has a. 248 00:12:52,750 --> 00:12:55,430 Beginning you. Can read about it in Acts 249 00:12:55,430 --> 00:12:56,590 chapter. Two, we call it. 250 00:12:56,910 --> 00:13:01,430 Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and the. 251 00:13:01,430 --> 00:13:05,270 Others that were there, that was the first day that the church 252 00:13:06,590 --> 00:13:07,550 really. Began. 253 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:11,560 And shortly after that, some events happened, and this is 254 00:13:11,560 --> 00:13:14,840 kind of how. The Bible describes these first 255 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:17,200 people that were gathering together. 256 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:20,280 In the resurrection. Acts Chapter. 257 00:13:20,280 --> 00:13:24,080 Two and verse 40. 4 to 47. The Bible says. 258 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:28,360 And all. That believed were together. 259 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:32,800 Isn't that cute? That's a sweet word, isn't it? 260 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:33,480 All that. Believed. 261 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:37,760 Were together and had all things common, and sold their 262 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:41,480 possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every 263 00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:44,920 man had need. And they continuing daily with 1 264 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:47,400 accord in the temple and breaking bread. 265 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:49,400 From house to house did eat their bread with. 266 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:53,200 Gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having. 267 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:56,320 Favor with all the people. And the Lord added. 268 00:13:56,320 --> 00:13:59,040 To the church daily, such as should. 269 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:02,160 Be saved so. Just really quickly 4. 270 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:05,040 Things that we notice here about what it means to be a member in 271 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:07,320 a church. Is that they share resources 272 00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:10,880 together. They said they had. 273 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:15,360 All things common. Now, this isn't exactly. 274 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:17,360 Reproducible this. Is something that happened in 275 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:20,240 the 1st century in Jerusalem during this time, but 276 00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:23,600 nevertheless we see the need the needs being. 277 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:27,200 Met by other people. In the gathering other members, 278 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:30,840 if you will. We're taking care of each other. 279 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:34,040 So for you, do you have a place where? 280 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:39,520 You give. And share your needs are met. 281 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:43,480 Hey I have a need hey. I'm contributing to something. 282 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:47,600 We see also that they enjoy meals. 283 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:54,080 Together this says daily. I don't, I mean, I don't know if 284 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:57,160 that's on the American. Schedule to get together. 285 00:14:57,160 --> 00:15:00,760 Every day for church. That sounds like a lot, but they 286 00:15:00,760 --> 00:15:02,960 were breaking bread. Check it out from house to 287 00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:04,520 house. Not just they were in the 288 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:05,760 temple. But they were. 289 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:08,440 Also in. House to house. 290 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:10,320 And this is something I think we. 291 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:13,120 Can do a better job of. Is having some meals. 292 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:17,360 Together when we were. In my other house, we met 293 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:20,920 together over the summer a lot more times and we tried. 294 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:23,640 That last? Week when we had our last prayer 295 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:26,120 meeting, we y'all came over. I'm just down the road now. 296 00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:28,360 We'll. Probably try that again. 297 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:30,480 And even for some of y'all's Bible. 298 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:31,240 Studies. I'd like to. 299 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:33,960 Have you come just be a part? Come to my house, let's have 300 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:36,840 dinner, let's hang out. Let's have meals together. 301 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:39,680 So that's something that. Hopefully we'll get on. 302 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:43,560 The radar But do you have a place where you have? 303 00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:47,640 Real relationships around. Jesus and. 304 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:49,080 You share meals with other people. 305 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:53,080 That's what a church is. The third one is that they were 306 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:54,640 worshipping. God together. 307 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:02,400 So it's not just a community. You can find those all over the 308 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:06,840 place. This one it says in verse 47, 309 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:11,600 praising God and having favor. With all the people. 310 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:14,960 So they were praising and they were known. 311 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:18,080 As the people that gave honor to God, maybe they had song 312 00:16:18,080 --> 00:16:22,160 services going on, but we. Learned two things. 313 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:24,560 From this the church. Is a place of worship. 314 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:29,440 And the church represents. God to the world. 315 00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:32,720 It says that they had favor. With all the people. 316 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:35,720 The church is. Associated with who? 317 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:37,560 God. Is and so the church needs to 318 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:39,680 represent God. And be. 319 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:42,040 Holy and loving. And truthful. 320 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:48,440 And lastly, we see that they enjoy salvation together. 321 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:58,160 It says in verse 47 and the Lord added to the. 322 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:00,800 Church daily such. As should be saved. 323 00:17:02,280 --> 00:17:03,680 And now we. See this word. 324 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:06,640 Again, we had. This word last week such as 325 00:17:06,640 --> 00:17:10,560 should be saved. You see, anyone can attend a 326 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:15,200 church, but only those that are born again are actually. 327 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:19,520 Members of a church. You cannot be lost. 328 00:17:20,359 --> 00:17:21,920 And be on the church. Roster. 329 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:25,319 The way that you enter membership. 330 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:27,960 Is by believing the gospel being saved? 331 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:31,120 Having the Holy Spirit coming up in you and. 332 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:34,400 Reckon you recognize. That you're a child of God, 333 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:35,520 That. Is the way that. 334 00:17:35,520 --> 00:17:38,000 You enter into church membership. 335 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:41,680 This is a critical issue for us. We can't just let. 336 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,840 Anybody be members? If you don't agree. 337 00:17:44,840 --> 00:17:47,480 To what the Bible says. You just have to. 338 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:50,000 Do something else. You're welcome to attend. 339 00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:57,520 But standing in this room doesn't make you a Christian any 340 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:00,040 more than standing in a. Garage makes you a car. 341 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:03,920 Right. There's something that we. 342 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:05,520 Have to do so here. Here's a. 343 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:07,200 Litmus. Test How do I? 344 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:12,240 Know that I'm. Saved if this is. 345 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:14,120 True of you? Then maybe you're born. 346 00:18:14,120 --> 00:18:17,400 Again, search your heart today. You recognize that you're a 347 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:20,880 Sinner. You understand that you are 348 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:24,200 separated from God. You believe? 349 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:28,720 Jesus paid for your. Sin on the cross you have called 350 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:32,960 upon him to. Save you by faith alone and you 351 00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:35,600 have evidence of the Holy Spirit in your life. 352 00:18:36,960 --> 00:18:38,880 You see last. Week we we had. 353 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:42,760 A similar question. How do I know that I'm getting 354 00:18:42,760 --> 00:18:46,680 to heaven? If the answer is anything other 355 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:48,680 than what Jesus did on the cross and I. 356 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:50,680 Asked him to save me and he forgave me. 357 00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:54,520 You might need to recheck the answer to that question. 358 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:58,120 There are not enough. Good works to get you to heaven. 359 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:01,720 It's all based on what Jesus did. 360 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:05,480 But we see here. That people who? 361 00:19:05,480 --> 00:19:08,080 Are saved have a place to gather. 362 00:19:09,360 --> 00:19:13,080 So do you have a place? That is like minded. 363 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:16,360 To your values. Of being a Christian, having the 364 00:19:16,360 --> 00:19:17,520 word. Of God, the world. 365 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:19,000 Out there, you know. As well as I. 366 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:21,480 Do they have? Different thoughts than 367 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:24,800 Christians do. The church is a place where the 368 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:27,560 saved people. Can come and gather and worship 369 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:33,760 and enjoy. God together, all right. #5 you 370 00:19:33,760 --> 00:19:34,360 still. Holding on. 371 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:40,360 All right #5. The church has leaders. 372 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:45,400 So there are many things. That would gather together. 373 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:48,400 And. Call itself an organization. 374 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:50,240 Call itself a church. Maybe you've heard? 375 00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:52,400 Where two or three are gathered. That. 376 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:56,040 Constitutes being a church. And I'm not sure. 377 00:19:56,040 --> 00:20:00,400 That that would be quite true. We need to figure out what is 378 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:04,240 going on in this. Organization, but first. 379 00:20:04,240 --> 00:20:06,240 Who are the leaders of the church? 380 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:08,560 And before you promote me. To being in charge. 381 00:20:08,560 --> 00:20:09,920 Of this place, let me just tell you. 382 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:16,160 Jesus leads the church. The Bible is very. 383 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:21,000 Clear that you cannot be the CEO of a church. 384 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:25,840 I had somebody when we first moved to Oregon. 385 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:29,600 People are just so. Unfamiliar with Christianity, 386 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:32,800 the last place we lived was. A lot of. 387 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:35,120 Other religions, if you will, and. 388 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:37,840 Somebody asked me like. Do you own the? 389 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:40,840 Church, it's like. I don't. 390 00:20:41,600 --> 00:20:43,400 No, I don't own. I'm not. 391 00:20:43,400 --> 00:20:44,200 Sure. How to answer that? 392 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:45,360 No, I don't. Own the church. 393 00:20:45,360 --> 00:20:48,000 I'm not like the. Boss or the executive? 394 00:20:48,360 --> 00:20:50,720 There's no ownership. I didn't franchise. 395 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:52,880 Right, like. That's not how churches work. 396 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:54,240 And you can. See the Lost. 397 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:55,960 Person's mind just trying to figure out. 398 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:59,480 How does that work for you guys? And we? 399 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:01,440 Would go to a. Couple verses like this where 400 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:06,840 the Bible says that Jesus he is the head of the body, the 401 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:09,760 church. Right, we see that in 402 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:11,560 Colossians. If you've been in Bible study, 403 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:14,960 Ephesians. Five says that Christ is the 404 00:21:14,960 --> 00:21:20,280 head of the church. So there is no human. 405 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:23,720 Leader over the Universal Church, the the corporate. 406 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:24,800 Church. The big church. 407 00:21:25,480 --> 00:21:27,560 There is no human leader. There's no. 408 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:29,560 Vicar of Christ. There is no Pope. 409 00:21:29,960 --> 00:21:32,800 That leads the church. On. 410 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:37,040 Earth, but there are people that. 411 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:40,000 Are responsible for congregations and those people, 412 00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:44,720 we call them pastors. The Bible technically uses the 413 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:47,280 word bishops. And elders. 414 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:49,040 And I gave. You some extra references, I 415 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:50,720 won't look. At all of them with you. 416 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:54,880 But First Timothy 3 and Titus One use those phrases and they 417 00:21:54,880 --> 00:21:59,240 describe. Who is qualified to be a pastor, 418 00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:03,040 elder, Bishop over a church? All three of those terms are 419 00:22:03,040 --> 00:22:07,440 exchangeable. For the same role in the church. 420 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:12,040 But we see this. Clearly in Acts chapter 20 and 421 00:22:12,040 --> 00:22:16,240 verse 20. 8. And what's happening here is. 422 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:19,400 The Apostle Paul. Brings together who's called the 423 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:23,960 elders if you go back to verse. 17 And he charges them, and he 424 00:22:23,960 --> 00:22:27,000 says, Take heed, therefore unto yourselves, and to. 425 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:31,240 All the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you 426 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:38,000 overseers to feed the Church of God, which he has purchased. 427 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:38,920 With his own. Blood. 428 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:45,240 I love that last phrase. I had a question or a. 429 00:22:45,240 --> 00:22:49,680 Conversation earlier this week with a guy from my office and he 430 00:22:49,680 --> 00:22:52,360 was trying to figure out how to raise money for his church and. 431 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:54,640 Start some. Businesses and it got a little 432 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:58,560 strange but I eventually you know we. 433 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:00,440 Got to the question of what is. A church. 434 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:03,160 And when he he. Asked I. 435 00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:06,160 I didn't really think about my response, but I'd said. 436 00:23:07,120 --> 00:23:09,720 The church's people who? Have been purchased. 437 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:13,280 By the blood of Christ, their. Sins have been paid for. 438 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:19,480 That's what it costs Jesus. He purchased the. 439 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:23,160 Church in his blood. But pastors here, it says. 440 00:23:23,160 --> 00:23:26,960 They are made overseers. They see. 441 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:29,480 Over the flock they don't get to. 442 00:23:29,480 --> 00:23:32,680 Rule in a demanding kind of sense. 443 00:23:33,400 --> 00:23:37,640 Because Hebrews tells us that they watch for your souls. 444 00:23:37,640 --> 00:23:42,240 As they must give account so really what the role? 445 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:46,920 Of a pastor is is a shepherd. Somebody who's able to. 446 00:23:46,920 --> 00:23:51,200 See the whole flock? 1234. 447 00:23:51,320 --> 00:23:53,120 You know Jesus. And. 448 00:23:53,360 --> 00:23:54,720 He tells a parable of a shepherd. 449 00:23:54,720 --> 00:23:58,520 That counted the 90. 9 was missing 1 and he knew. 450 00:23:59,320 --> 00:24:02,880 That somebody wasn't there. So really. 451 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:05,920 This is what? Pastoring kind of looks. 452 00:24:05,920 --> 00:24:09,120 Like. You have a group of people. 453 00:24:10,120 --> 00:24:12,440 That you feed and lead and take care of. 454 00:24:14,760 --> 00:24:18,480 So I ask you this today, do you have a pastor that is? 455 00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:21,800 Leading you? And caring for your soul, 456 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:28,800 certainly other people can help invest. 457 00:24:28,800 --> 00:24:31,120 In your. Christian life and here in our 458 00:24:31,120 --> 00:24:33,320 church. We delegate some of. 459 00:24:33,320 --> 00:24:36,160 This to disciple. Makers that meet one-on-one 460 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:37,440 with. People in a mentoring 461 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:38,680 relationship. To. 462 00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:42,720 Care for your soul. But it's also my job. 463 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:48,640 And you may not know this. But I pray for each of. 464 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:51,680 You in this room by name? I didn't know Miss Debbie would 465 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:54,120 be here today, but everybody else? 466 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:58,440 I have on my. Board in my office. 467 00:24:59,880 --> 00:25:02,600 I know it's a. Looks a little dark OK, but this 468 00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:03,160 is. What my? 469 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:07,080 Whiteboard looks like in. My office and if you look to. 470 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:08,800 The far right side there's a list. 471 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:12,560 Of names and. I didn't do this just for you. 472 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:14,200 You can ask. David and I meet there every 473 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:17,160 week. I keep a list of. 474 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:20,440 The far left side is. Central, that's the office that 475 00:25:20,440 --> 00:25:22,320 I'm in, people that I'm praying. For that are there. 476 00:25:22,320 --> 00:25:24,600 Our team disciples and then on the. 477 00:25:24,600 --> 00:25:27,000 Right side, I probably need a better. 478 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:30,720 Term, but I call it fringe people that are on the perimeter 479 00:25:30,720 --> 00:25:32,600 of our church. They're maybe not totally 480 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:36,640 connected, but people we know and you hopefully should. 481 00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:38,240 Find your name on. That list somewhere? 482 00:25:38,240 --> 00:25:39,960 If not, let me know if I missed somebody. 483 00:25:41,560 --> 00:25:43,320 But it's my goal to pray. For every. 484 00:25:43,320 --> 00:25:44,880 Person on that list. Every day. 485 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:50,240 I can't say that I'm 100. Percent, but as a. 486 00:25:50,240 --> 00:25:52,360 Part of my responsibility. As a shepherd. 487 00:25:52,360 --> 00:25:56,920 Is to know who's in my flock, who's in this church. 488 00:25:58,120 --> 00:25:59,560 And maybe some of those people haven't. 489 00:25:59,560 --> 00:26:03,800 Been in this room in a while but I'm not giving up on him until. 490 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:05,600 They tell me to stop praying for him. 491 00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:11,200 But for you, do you have that person in your life? 492 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:16,480 If that person is me, I may not know that, so please come and 493 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:18,640 let me. Know if you think I'm your 494 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:20,680 pastor. I would love to know that 495 00:26:21,520 --> 00:26:24,000 because sometimes people. We all think different. 496 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:24,960 Things I don't know. What you're thinking? 497 00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:27,840 Let me know. By the way, as we're talking 498 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:30,840 about this role of. Leadership in the church. 499 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:34,600 There are 0. Instances in the new. 500 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:38,680 Testament of Priests. Leading any kind of. 501 00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:42,880 Congregation or forgiving? Any kind of sins the Bible only 502 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:44,280 mentions. Pastors. 503 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:48,200 And. Teachers for us today, let's 504 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:51,560 look last at what a church does a church. 505 00:26:51,560 --> 00:26:57,000 Has a mission. Do we just gather to feel good? 506 00:26:58,360 --> 00:27:01,480 Man, the Rock show was awesome. I feel so much. 507 00:27:01,480 --> 00:27:05,200 Better. Man, that was a good Ted Talk. 508 00:27:05,560 --> 00:27:06,360 Let's go home. Let's. 509 00:27:06,360 --> 00:27:11,240 Go get Burgerville the. Church has a mission and I want 510 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:12,560 to be brief on this because this. 511 00:27:12,560 --> 00:27:14,800 Will be our subject. Next week when we have. 512 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:18,240 Church. In the city we. 513 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:20,480 Have something that God? Has called us. 514 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:22,520 And only. Us to do. 515 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:32,490 And that is to reach the. World reach the. 516 00:27:32,490 --> 00:27:34,650 World and help people. Follow Jesus. 517 00:27:34,650 --> 00:27:39,130 That is really the crux of. The Church's mission. 518 00:27:40,690 --> 00:27:43,770 But there is only one organization on the planet 519 00:27:43,770 --> 00:27:47,330 that's been commissioned. To do this, do you know that? 520 00:27:48,970 --> 00:27:50,730 There's no. Other group of people. 521 00:27:50,730 --> 00:27:53,370 On the planet that. Will take the gospel. 522 00:27:53,370 --> 00:27:54,610 And share. It with other people. 523 00:27:54,610 --> 00:27:58,040 So that they can be saved. Only Christians are the ones 524 00:27:58,040 --> 00:28:02,200 that care about it and Jesus before he ascended to heaven he. 525 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:05,240 Gave his disciples. Some final marching orders we. 526 00:28:05,240 --> 00:28:08,040 Call this the Great Commission and we'll see it next week in 527 00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:13,360 Matthew Chapter 28, he says. Go ye therefore, and teach all 528 00:28:13,360 --> 00:28:17,080 nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the 529 00:28:17,080 --> 00:28:18,440 Son, and of the. Holy Ghost. 530 00:28:18,480 --> 00:28:21,760 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have 531 00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:25,320 commanded you. And lo, I am with you alway, 532 00:28:25,320 --> 00:28:29,200 even unto the end of the world. So we'll look at those 3. 533 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:33,360 Things next week, but. The first word is go. 534 00:28:35,280 --> 00:28:39,000 Christians are called to go. And take the saving. 535 00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:41,840 Message of the gospel to the rest of the world, just like 536 00:28:42,120 --> 00:28:44,000 the. Ahoras are doing going to 537 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:46,520 Toronto and there's a. Bajillion people. 538 00:28:47,160 --> 00:28:51,880 In Toronto, a really highly unreligious city. 539 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:55,000 So I put it to you this way in your notes. 540 00:28:55,680 --> 00:28:57,360 If. Christians do not reach. 541 00:28:57,360 --> 00:29:00,400 The world with the Gospel. Who will? 542 00:29:08,490 --> 00:29:14,450 Honestly, who would? I'm going to share. 543 00:29:14,450 --> 00:29:16,650 With you a. Slide, it's probably hard to. 544 00:29:16,650 --> 00:29:18,610 See, I couldn't get. It in a better format, but 545 00:29:18,610 --> 00:29:21,050 there's an organization. Called the Joshua Project. 546 00:29:22,970 --> 00:29:25,170 And they track, it is really hard to see. 547 00:29:25,970 --> 00:29:28,130 They track the world's population. 548 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:30,680 And people that have been reached. 549 00:29:30,680 --> 00:29:34,000 Green is good so. We would say significantly 550 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:37,960 reached that's North America. There's exposure to the gospel. 551 00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:39,640 You can go find a church that may not. 552 00:29:39,640 --> 00:29:41,720 All be great, but you can. Find a place where. 553 00:29:41,720 --> 00:29:44,440 You can find this book and be saved but. 554 00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:45,880 You get all the way up to the top and the. 555 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:49,760 Red. According to them, 3.5 billion 556 00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:53,000 people have never. Heard the gospel before. 557 00:29:55,800 --> 00:29:57,440 And no one. 'S trying to reach them. 558 00:29:57,440 --> 00:30:01,000 That's what the dark red means. Minimally reached, superficially 559 00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:03,280 reached these things. All mean things to them based 560 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:05,840 on. Proximity opportunity. 561 00:30:07,880 --> 00:30:09,760 But 43? Percent of the world. 562 00:30:10,880 --> 00:30:17,400 Will not go to heaven when they die, because faith comes by 563 00:30:17,400 --> 00:30:19,040 hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 564 00:30:21,800 --> 00:30:24,320 If Christians do not. Run towards the red. 565 00:30:24,320 --> 00:30:29,720 Line who will I mean you can go build all the. 566 00:30:29,720 --> 00:30:32,720 Wells and whatever you. Want wherever you want. 567 00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:37,880 And none of that. Will save the gospel. 568 00:30:37,880 --> 00:30:40,480 Is what the world needs. It's what the. 569 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:43,520 Church has been called to share. With the rest of. 570 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:47,560 The world. But the church isn't. 571 00:30:47,560 --> 00:30:49,760 Just on mission. We're not trying to just lose. 572 00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:52,200 Everybody we want to send people, man, praise the. 573 00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:54,160 Lord. We want to send people. 574 00:30:54,920 --> 00:30:58,280 We also need to build up. The people. 575 00:30:58,280 --> 00:31:00,960 That are in our congregation the Saints. 576 00:31:07,700 --> 00:31:10,780 The church is also. The only organization on the 577 00:31:10,780 --> 00:31:13,660 planet. Designed to help you grow. 578 00:31:15,540 --> 00:31:16,900 As much. As that there are. 579 00:31:17,380 --> 00:31:21,420 Other helps and other. Books only. 580 00:31:21,420 --> 00:31:25,020 Christians are going to. Teach you this book. 581 00:31:27,120 --> 00:31:29,360 There, there is no government that's going to. 582 00:31:29,360 --> 00:31:33,160 Grow you up in your faith in. Jesus, there, there's no. 583 00:31:33,160 --> 00:31:36,280 College anymore today really especially that's going to grow 584 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:38,880 you up in. The Lord Jesus there. 585 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:41,280 There's nothing. There's not much good on YouTube 586 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:44,720 honestly, and God has not even commissioned. 587 00:31:44,720 --> 00:31:47,520 Any of those things. Although they're useful tools, 588 00:31:48,640 --> 00:31:50,960 the church is the place. That God has given. 589 00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:55,760 For Christians to grow. This is our last point, 590 00:31:55,760 --> 00:31:57,000 Ephesians. Chapter 4. 591 00:31:59,600 --> 00:32:02,040 The Bible. Says And he gave some apostles, 592 00:32:02,760 --> 00:32:05,480 and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some. 593 00:32:05,480 --> 00:32:08,440 Pastors and teachers, that verse right there in. 594 00:32:08,440 --> 00:32:10,640 Verse 11 lets. Us know the roles within the 595 00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:14,600 church. Verse 12 The reason why they're 596 00:32:14,600 --> 00:32:18,480 given is for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the 597 00:32:18,480 --> 00:32:21,840 ministry, for the edifying of. The body of. 598 00:32:21,840 --> 00:32:23,760 Christ, body of Christ. Is another. 599 00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:29,480 Word for the church. So those roles in verse 11 are 600 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:34,040 given to edify the Saints. So if you find yourself. 601 00:32:34,080 --> 00:32:37,200 Out of proximity of. Pastors and teachers. 602 00:32:37,240 --> 00:32:39,920 You're going to find. Yourself without the ability. 603 00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:44,040 To truly grow this. Says in verse 14 that we 604 00:32:44,040 --> 00:32:48,800 henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro with every 605 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:52,800 wind of doctrine. By the slight and cunning of 606 00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:53,920 men. See, this is that's. 607 00:32:53,920 --> 00:32:56,360 Where YouTube comes in in verse 14. 608 00:32:56,880 --> 00:32:58,280 Everybody's got. A thought and an. 609 00:32:58,280 --> 00:33:01,000 Opinion and a feeling about something God showed me and I 610 00:33:01,000 --> 00:33:02,160 came. Back from the dead and. 611 00:33:02,400 --> 00:33:07,240 I got another book to add to your book and if you don't want 612 00:33:07,240 --> 00:33:08,600 to be. Tossed around, you need a. 613 00:33:08,600 --> 00:33:11,520 Shepherd who's? Watching over to say hey come 614 00:33:11,520 --> 00:33:13,600 into the. Safety of the gathering. 615 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:16,520 And let's worship God. Together and let's hear what he. 616 00:33:16,520 --> 00:33:20,760 Says that is how. You will grow. 617 00:33:22,920 --> 00:33:25,080 This weekend. Bible study in Colossians, 618 00:33:25,080 --> 00:33:28,760 chapter 2. The Bible says that. 619 00:33:28,760 --> 00:33:31,200 You can be rooted and build up. In him and it's. 620 00:33:31,360 --> 00:33:37,640 Established in the Faith note as you have been taught. 621 00:33:39,720 --> 00:33:42,840 So there's a sense in which you need to learn some things. 622 00:33:44,040 --> 00:33:48,680 You need to be taught if you want to be established and 623 00:33:48,680 --> 00:33:50,800 strong, as you'll see in Bible study this week. 624 00:33:50,800 --> 00:33:52,760 There's some other people. That are going to want to 625 00:33:52,760 --> 00:33:55,480 deceive and manipulate you and you need to. 626 00:33:55,480 --> 00:33:57,640 Have something grounding you? Tethering you. 627 00:33:58,440 --> 00:34:02,200 To the truth. So do you have? 628 00:34:02,200 --> 00:34:05,720 A place in your. Life to be instructed in the 629 00:34:05,720 --> 00:34:06,440 Word. Of God. 630 00:34:09,360 --> 00:34:13,040 If not, ma'am, we invite you to come participate. 631 00:34:14,159 --> 00:34:18,719 Join in all that we're doing. Here in our church, but today as 632 00:34:18,719 --> 00:34:23,679 we. Conclude today we learned. 633 00:34:23,920 --> 00:34:26,880 That the church is a. Gathering you got to. 634 00:34:26,880 --> 00:34:31,480 Show up, it's local. So that you can be known. 635 00:34:32,920 --> 00:34:36,560 It has members and we're connected together. 636 00:34:37,840 --> 00:34:40,280 It has leaders. People that we can. 637 00:34:40,280 --> 00:34:46,400 Follow and it has a mission. So I want to give you a moment 638 00:34:46,400 --> 00:34:49,199 today to look. At your notes. 639 00:34:50,239 --> 00:34:52,280 And maybe there's one of those things. 640 00:34:52,719 --> 00:34:54,400 That you would. Say I need that. 641 00:34:56,040 --> 00:34:59,120 Or perhaps you would say our. Church needs that. 642 00:34:59,120 --> 00:35:00,400 We need more of. This. 643 00:35:01,880 --> 00:35:06,560 And I want to give you a moment to just think about that, pray 644 00:35:06,560 --> 00:35:09,760 about it, and then David is going to come up and. 645 00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:12,320 He's going to lead us in a. A final prayer. 646 00:35:12,320 --> 00:35:13,240 We'll have another. Song. 647 00:35:13,240 --> 00:35:14,720 So I want to give you just a moment for that.