Sermon from October 28

The Five Purposes of the Church

Matthew 28: 16 - 20

1. The fifth purpose of the church is evangelism.
2. Every living organism must reproduce itself or it will not survive.
3. Jesus left us with the job of continuing and expanding the Kingdom of God. There is no plan B. We are the only way the gospel will be spread. 2 Corinthians 4: 7
4. As a healthy apple tree cannot help but produce apples, a growing Christian cannot help but produce other Christians. Matthew 7: 17 - 20
5. If we have the Holy Spirit living in us, we will find a way to witness to those in our circle of influence. Acts 4: 19 - 20
6. Even if we fulfill the other purposes of the church we will fail if we are not concerned about evangelism.

Sermon from October 21

The Five Purposes of the Church

Colossians 3: 12 - 17


1. The fourth purpose of the church is discipleship.
2. This means teaching. Paul also adds admonish, which means to gently point someone in the right direction.
3. The early church devoted itself to the apostles’ teaching. Acts 2: 42
4. A disciple is a learner. We haven’t arrived, but we are running toward the goal.
5. Discipleship is important because the more scripture we know, the more we can defeat temptation, and the more we can love and live for Jesus in full obedience.
6. God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Psalm 119:105

Sermon from Oct 14

The Five Purposes of the Church

John 4: 13 - 26

1. Another purpose of the church is to provide a place to worship together.
2. Worship in these verses means "bending a knee".
3. Jesus said it is not where we worship, but how and whom.
4. How: In spirit. This means we transcend our earthly existence and worship God with all we are. We give Him our very best. We give our love, loyalty, obedience and devotion.
5. Whom: The one true God, revealed in the person of Jesus. Not everyone who is spiritual will enter the Kingdom of God, but only those who belong to Jesus. Matthew 7: 21
6. When we worship together, we honor God and encourage each other.

Sermon from Oct 7

The Five Purposes of the Church

Acts 2: 42 - 47

1. The second purpose of the church is fellowship.
2. The first thing we know about the early church was they met together for food and fellowship every day.
3. We will be like the people that we spend our time with.
4. When we fellowship together, we see how other believers handle adversity.
5. We can share our needs and pray for one another when we get to know each other.
6. A lump of coal cannot stay warm if it is removed from the fire.
7. The result of fellowship in Acts 2 was many people being saved.

Sermon from September 30

The Five Purposes of the Church

Matthew 25: 31 - 46

1. One of the purposes of the church is ministry.
2. Because the church is the body of Christ, we must continue what be began.
3. We do not earn salvation by doing good, but the righteous will do good.
4. Jesus gives specific examples of what we must be about as a church:
5. Feed the hungry and thirsty.
6. Being kind to strangers, to the point of welcoming them into our space.
7. Providing clothing to those in need.
8. Visiting the sick and those in prison.

The purposes are: ministry, fellowship, worship, evangelism and discipleship.

Sermon from September 23

The Temptations of Christ

Matthew 4: 1 - 11

1. Temptation 1: To be our own god.
a. Instead of trusting God, we take matters into our own hands.
2. Temptation 2: To test our God.
a. To ask God to protect us, then behave foolishly, forcing God to intervene.
3. Temptation 3: To worship another god.
a. To get our fulfillment from the world and not from God. To worship or create any idol, including materialism.

How do we defeat these temptations?
1. Know the scripture.
2. Know how much God loves us.
3. Understand that our purpose is to walk with God.

Sermon from September 16

Joseph: A Man of Dreams

Genesis 45: 1 - 11

1. God uses all circumstances for his ultimate purposes.
2. God's ultimate purpose is to save us and make us like Christ. (Romans 8: 28 - 30)
3. Joseph was treated horribly by his brothers, deceitfully by Potiphar's wife, and unfairly by Potiphar. God allowed it.
4. Joseph was forgotten by the cupbearer for two years. But God did not forget him.
5. Joseph suffered for about 15 years, but he ruled over Egypt for 80 years.
6. Joseph had to suffer, but it saved his entire family.
Genesis 50: 19, 20