The Order
Introduction:
If God had it his way, what would our
churches look like? This is a question asked by Francis Chan in his book
titled “Letters to the church”. God gave his order for the church, and
multitudes have ignored it and\ or changed it. So that many churches today
are very different from what god ordered!!!
Body:
1.
Commands versus expectations
·
If you ask people what they expect from
their church, you might get a list like the following: good music, ministry
for different age groups, a nice clean building, plenty of parking,
childcare, dynamic speaker,... What are some of the commands God gave the
church in scripture?
Visit orphans and widows- James 1:
27
Make disciples of all nations-
Matthew 28: 19
bear one another's burdens -
Galatians 6: 2
Through love serve one another-
Galatians 5: 13
What would upset people more, the church not providing the
things from the first list or the church not obeying the commands on the
second List?
·
In Luke 12: 42-46, Jesus tells a story
about a master leaving his servants with specific tasks. When he returned,
he expected to see those tasks accomplished. When he saw his commands
neglected, the servants were punished severely. Jesus is returning, and he
expects to find his church taking his commands seriously.
·
It is absolutely essential that we
distinguish between what we want and what God commands.
2.
What people need:
·
Quite often, what people need is very
different from what they want. The apostle Paul did not give the Corinthians
what they necessarily wanted but what they needed. They wanted a dynamic,
eloquent speaker. But he gave them what was best for them: 1 Corinthians 1:
17, 2: 1-5.
·
Trying to make the assembly more popular
does not work. When we strip away the offense from Christianity and try to
make things fun and easy for everyone, then lock the doors on the churches,
the sooner the better, and turn them into places of amusement that stand
open all day long.
·
If we focus too much attention on what
people want, we will only increase the amount of complaining.
·
Read Revelation 5, 11-14. Can you
imagine being there and being bored? Never change worship to make it more
attractive to people. If they don't like church as god ordered it, let them
walk away.
3.
Devoted to his orders:
The church in the beginning focused on the right things, the
things that pleased God most. What they were doing was unique.
Acts 2: 42-47; there is a word here that separates many today
from these 1st century Christians; “Devoted”. Why are Christians willing to
give an hour or two to what really matters in their lives? Notice what the
early church devoted themselves to Acts 2: 42: 47
·
They continued steadfastly in the
apostles' teaching
The apostles teaching possessed power. The words they spoke
are living; Hebrews 4: 12, John 6: 63.
We need much more public reading of God's word. First Timothy
4: 13 reads, devote yourselves to the public reading of scripture.
Note Revelation 1:3: An actual blessing! “Blessed is he
who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those
things which are written in it; for the time is near. “ do we believe
Hebrews 4: 12? See Also, John 6: 63. We need to spend more time publicly
reading the word. Isaiah 55: 10-11, First Timothy 4: 13.
Revelation 1:3- read aloud, with awe and longing.
·
The breaking of bread
The Christians gathered to observe the Lord's supper-
remember Christ’s broken body and shed blood. If communion has become
boring, maybe you have forgotten the cost of Jesus sacrifice. The cost of
salvation was high. We need to feel like we cannot live without it! 1
Corinthians 11:29-30, “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner
eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For
this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” This is
the Lord's supper. It was powerful for 1st century church. Remembering the
value of Jesus sacrifice. The death of Jesus was a life-giving necessity.
We should love it so much that we cannot live without it.
·
The fellowship
They were devoted to one another. They understand the
concept of a Christian family; John 13: 34-35. We are to have each other's
back. we are to be dedicated to one another. God was in their midst. This
was something that God designed to function as a family and has been reduced
to an optional weekly meeting. Unity is to describe us; Philippians 1:
27-28.
·
The prayers:
Do you remember when the Wednesday service was known as a
prayer meeting? If prayer isn't vital to our church, then church/assembly
is not vital! They had prayer meetings. Does prayer play any meaningful
role in our church? Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place where
they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the
Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”
·
A better experience:
God has given us a road map for seeking and finding him. We
should reveal God to people. But not everyone is interested in him.
·
The party:
Are we sure Jesus is looking for filled church buildings?
Isn't he rather looking for disciples? Malachi 1: 10-11.
Jesus is coming. There are very few people in America who
live as if they believe this. 2 Timothy 4:8, “Finally, there is laid up
for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved
His appearing.”
4.
Conclusion:
God has given us a road map for seeking and finding him. His
orders are the only ones to follow. Our job is to reveal God to people: but
not everyone is interested in him. If they are not, we should not substitute
something else. Bans, movies, entertainment,...
Are we even sure God is looking for filled church buildings?
Isn't he rather looking for disciples who follow his word. People who look
forward with joy to Jesus return? Second Timothy 4: 8, jesus is coming.
There are very few people in America who live as if they believe this.
Sermon prepared by Bobby Stafford
September 8, 2020
Prepared by Bobby Stafford
The church of Christ at Granby, MO
Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109
For more lessons and Sermons, please
visit
https://granbychurchofchrist.org/
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