Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
James 1:22
One Holy Church
February 13, 2022 I Believe - One Holy Church
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Introduction:
Don’t get twisted about the words used here in the nicean creed. This is not a catholic church, we are not catholics. The word Catholic means universal; it means that we believe that Jesus set up his disciples and followers into a church.
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell, shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16:13-19
Jesus taught about the church, Jesus made the church alive and thrive, Jesus butted the church so that the gates of Hell could not prevail against her.
Finishing this sermon series on a high note I get to talk about the church. We are the body of Christ. This morning I am focusing on 1st corinthians 16. However the message is topical. The importance of it is crucial.
Far too many times I see well intentioned believers get so caught up in the drama and trials of the church, that they get one look at the body of christ and they are done.
They tend to adopt a church is bad Jesus is good attitude and then promptly ignore this crucial lifeline for our faith that we are called to adopt.
The Church is made of up individuals serving God.
These last chapters in the Epistles of the New Testament are if you recall are actually letters, interest me greatly, many pastors choose to skip over them because they feel like they are boiler plate and unnecessary, they eat the sandwich but cut off the crusts so to speak!
The crusts are the most nutritious parts and often times we forget that the original audience likely sought out this end the most because this was where they got their personal callouts and compliments. This is also where Paul got specific in his instructions and gave orders as someone who is dictating from authority.
The part that we like to skip over, is the part that they likely listened to the most.
Let's take a bite out of the rind! Break your preconceived conceptions and take a glimpse into the practical world of Christianity.
My title for my message is
- Helping the poor and visiting the church
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. 5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
1st Corinthians 16:1-9
Exp: First I need to give some context here, Paul was responsible and put in charge of helping to raise a collection for impoverished saints in Jerusalem, which if you recall was the birthplace of the church. There were a lot of impoverished christians there demonstrated in the book of Acts and it became such an issue that they even had to delegate benevolence roles in order to serve everyone. (Think Stephen)
Secondly in Acts 11 we hear of a famine that had gripped the area, and many believers like in modern times wanted to help out.
Thirdly many of them were Jews and Jerusalem was the mother land and they likely had connections and family over there and maybe even converted there at the day of Pentecost!
Paul loved these people! Just like Paul loved Ephesus and at Philippi. He Loved the believers at Corinth! He wanted to come and visit them even though he was under no obligation to do so.
Ill: My favorite example of this friendship and community is when Paul is saying goodbye to the church at Ephesus.
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 20:16
This is the part of the Movie where the man going to war, or where the child runs out and embraces their father one last time! This is a church that truly loved and worried and met with Paul.
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Acts 20:36-38
App: Church invest in things that matter, help the poor and needy if you can. Call your pastor, reach out to your mentor, find ways to build relationships that matter and be the person that you would want to have reach out to you!
T/s: Expect help and be help be the church in action.
2. Act Like a man be strong!
10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. 12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity. 13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— 16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.
1st Corinthians 16:10-18
Exp: Timothy! Hashtag Cameo! Timothy was young and many wouldn’t have jumped on board with him, and here Paul is equating him with an Apostle and encouraging them to trust him. He was on his way to Paul and Paul told the church to aid him.
Apollos! Our old baptism buddy Apollos! He had already ministered to some there, but he hadn’t felt the time was ripe for him to return! So he didn’t yet, but he was going to come in the near future if given a chance.
Notice two roles here
Paul treats his ward, underling, friend with respect and honor and asks for his help.
Paul treats his equal, colleague, friend with respect and a nod for choosing his own will even when that will wasn’t what Paul wanted. (Respectfully disagreement)
Ill: Now Paul gives what I feel is the central verse of the entire text of chapter 16
5 commands
- Be watchful
- Stand Firm in the faith
- Act like men
- Be Strong
- Do everything in love
App: The conflict that we find ourselves in cannot be ignored we are not on a leisure ship in the christian faith, we are on a battleship! You are in enemy waters and while we may have great opportunities to be effective here, we must also be aware that the enemy has designs to trip us up.
Some are large overt attacks like broadside from secularism and new age atheism
Some are covert minefields like politics and engaging with the culture on issues of race or gender
Either way the prescription is the same! Take this seriously we are at war and there are dead bodies everywhere.
T/S: We serve together
3. Parting words and sweet victory
The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1st Corinthians 16:19-23
Exp: We are in this armada together and the beachhead is secure. Think of these “Nobodies” in the closing remarks here in this chapter
Aquilla and Priscilla, earlier Stephanis, Fortunaius and Achiais. These folks aren’t usually remembered all the time and yet their impact echoes throughout eternity! Faithfulness is never forgotten by God.
They met houses! I would hazard a guess that the church at Corinth wasn’t much bigger than ROLC. If not significantly smaller! These people weren’t generally rich and powerful and houses are pretty small!
In 2.5 centuries God took this house church ministry and turned Rome upside down into a Christian nation. God can and will use churches like ROLC, Grace Bible Church, and Bear River Baptist! To change everything in Tremonton if we let him!
Greet one another with a Holy Kiss!
Yeah she may look gritty
When her man come back she gone look so pretty
She the Church
You might see her acting crazy
Be patient with her tho cause she still God's baby
She the Church
Before you dis her get to know her
Jesus got a thing fo her and died just to show her
She the Church
She ain't bricks and buildings
She all of God's people Men women and childrenThe Church is made up believers all over the world.
Lecrae Moore “The Bride”
God’s people are made up of more people than you can imagine, we are a small but not unimportant piece of this puzzle.
Jesus is coming soon behold.
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”Lord Jesus Come!
Revelations 7:9-12
The great promise of the church isn’t in power, or in might but in the deposit of the Holy Spirit. The great promise and delight and joy of the saints is to have the name of Jesus written on our hearts.
The church is the bride of Christ!
Amen! Close out with a mens group member
