Fellowshipmtz

What Is the Purpose (and Mission) of the Church?

John's Gospel Texts (Assorted)

Why has our church gathered here this morning?  What are we hoping to accomplish?  What happens to the church when we dismiss?  Does our mission change once we exit?  To keep today's lesson concise & simple, I propose the following:

The Purpose of the Church is Threefold:
#1 — to worship the living GOD to glorify God!
#2 — to minister to believers (the gathered church)
#3 — to minister to the world (the dispatched church)

Our emphasis this morning is on the Bible's teaching that the Church is sent by Christ into the world just as the Father sent Christ into the world.

Brian Baker: An Attitude of Humility

Philippians 2:1-11

Brain Baker, North Regional Coordinator at Word of Life Fellowship in New York, returns (annually) to visit church and family.  His message this morning explores Paul's pertinent instructions regarding our attitudes, servanthood, and humility.

Christ's Incarnation!

John 1:1-14 ; Philippians 2:6-8
Breaking from our normal series from the Epistle of James, today we consider the INCARNATION of Christ -- and the four themes (or points of emphasis) used to teach us about this important doctrine.

Blessings & Cursings from the Same Mouth?!

James 3:8-12

Matthew Henry (1662-1714) writes: "Other sins decay with age, this many times gets worse; we grow more froward and fretful, as natural strength decays, and the days come on in which we have no pleasure. When other sins are tamed and subdued by the infirmities of age, the spirit often grows more tart, nature being drawn down to the dregs, and the words used become more passionate. That man's tongue confutes itself, which at one time pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to Him; and at another time condemns even good men, if they do not use the same words and expressions. True religion will not admit of contradictions: how many sins would be prevented, if men would always be consistent!"

The message ends by listening to a song, "Age of Reptiles," by Showbread.

Fire in the Hole (My Mouth)!

James 3:2-8

James paints a VERY unflattering picture of our tongues.  James contends our tongues are setting on fire "the whole course of life".  Make no mistake, he means my tongue blazes away from infancy to the grave, in good times and in bad times, among friends and foes alike!  What?  And what hope (if any) exists?

Introduction to our Tongues: Teachers Beware!

James 3:1

The short video that was played to demonstrate the power of words can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU

James warns that teaching God's Truth (Scripture) is dangerous business and ought not be taken lightly.  This (it seems to me) was especially true in the ancient Greco-Roman world where teachers were more highly regarded.

Father Abraham Had Many Sons -- Am I One of Them?

James 2:21-26

Abraham's faith is so much more than a children's Bible story, so much more than a mere historical event that occurred 4000+ years ago.  Abraham's faith serves as an important and necessary model for those who receive the blessing of Abraham -- namely, "righteousness, God's declaration of justification".  Oh, and we'll consider Rahab's faith and works too!

Justified by Faith AND Justified by Works

James 2:20-24

In his letter to the Romans (3:28), Paul writes -- "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law." To prove his assertion, Paul cites Abraham's reckoned righteousness on the basis of faith alone (see Romans 4 and Genesis 15:6). 

Interestingly, James asserts in his letter (2:14, 24) -- "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? . . .  You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."  Even more interesting, and similar to Paul, James also cites Abraham's life to demonstrate the necessity of works!

Avoiding Two Fatal Errors

The possibility of opposite (and competing) ERRORS is not a modern problem; it has ALWAYS been a problem.  During Apostolic era, two prominent errors were:
#1 -- The ADDITION of "works of law" in order to be saved (justified)
#2 -- The SUBTRACTION of "works of faith" as a necessary effect/outcome of salvation (justification).

Various Scriptures Include:

Acts 15:1-21 (The Jerusalem Council)
Galatians 2:15-16
Romans 3:19-24 ;  4:1-10

Romans 6:1-2, 15-16
Galatians 5:1-14

Objection! Must Works Follow Faith?

James 2:14-20

James doesn't mince words when he boldly asserts, "Faith apart from works is dead!"  A dead faith is no better than what the demons believe.  A dead faith that doesn't save.