Resources on Church and Ministry
Outsiders Brought In
Isaiah 56:1-8 56:1 This is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right,for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.2 Blessed is the one who does this— the person who holds it fast,who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil.” 3 Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.”And let no eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” 4 For this is what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and…
Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness
1 John 1:5-2:2 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without…
A Well-Ordered Church
1 Peter 5:1-14 1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of…
The Beautiful Way of Christ
1 Peter 3:8-22
The House of God
1 Peter 2:4-10 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone,and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those…
A Worshiping Church
Acts 2:42-47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor…
A Learning Church
This week, we examine the teaching ministry of the Church to understand how devotion to the Word leads to an experience of heaven on earth. Acts 2:42-47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they…
A Caring Church
This week, we began a new sermon series called, Heaven on Earth. The beauty of the transformative power of the gospel is that today, the body of Christ can be a taste of heaven here on earth. One element of this is that the Church ought to be a place where community and care are defining characteristics. Today, we take a look at the early Church to learn how we are to live this out. Acts 2:42-47 42 They devoted themselves…
The Gospel and Mission
This week, we ask how the gospel informs missions. The gospel teaches us that the mission field is everywhere. God has created the church for missions, and all of us are missionaries wherever we are. As believers, we are sent as Jesus was to go into the world with the good news of the gospel. John 20:21 Discussion Questions What do you think of when you think of missions? Of missionaries? Do you consider yourself to be sent? Why or…
The Gospel for Life Itself
To begin our series on how the gospel relates to tangible aspects of our lives, we start in the book of Philippians. In this passage, we receive a call to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. To conduct ourselves in such a way as this, regardless of circumstance, communicates the beauty of the gospel and makes Jesus real. Philippians 1:27-30 (Philippians 1:27-30) 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I…
Which Way to Go and Who to Follow
Matthew 7:13-20 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good…