We Must Church
July 19, 2020
The word church in the Bible comes from the Greek word ekklesia. The word means a called-out assembly.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 | Acts 9:31
How did you become part of a particular church?
You were baptized into the membership of that church.
1 Corinthians 12:13 | Acts 2:41
You remained a member of that local church by continually assembling with that assembly.
When you left that assembly and moved to another location you were sent with letters of recommendation.
Acts 18:24-27 | 2 Corinthians 3:1
This was how the family of God operated and how local churches spread.
A local church had three groups of people
- The saints – the general member
- The bishops – pastors and elders
- Deacons – servants in the church
Philippians 1:1
These churches had six distinctive features that made them church.
Churches
The word means assemble
There is no church unless there is an assembly
The church cannot forsake assembly
Hebrews 10:24-25 | Acts 2:1
When the church assembles together in one accord the power of the Holy Spirit is present
Churches
From the very creation of man, God said, “it is not good that man should be alone.”
Genesis 2:18
When Jesus sent His disciples out to preach, He sent them two and two
Luke 10:1
The church must not forsake fellowship because we need to encourage one another
Hebrews 10:24-25
John tells us that when we have fellowship with one another
1 John 1:3-4
That is why I say – go out together after the assembly
That is why we have church socials
Churches Together
Acts 4:31
Every time early churches met, they prayed
The Laodicean church did not pray and Jesus was left out
Jesus was knocking on the door to get in
Revelation 3:20
When a true church of God is meeting together, they are meeting with Jesus and the Devil hates that
Matthew 18:20
Churches Together
Ephesians 5:18-19
The church is told to get together and praise God with music
Acts 2:47
The first church praised God together
Psalm 150
Collective praise is a command
- It brings God’s presence!
Psalm 22:3
- It makes you aware of God’s power
Psalm 150:2
- It increases your faith in God
Psalm 149:2-4
Churches God’s Word Together
The first church preached the Apostles doctrine
Acts 2:42
God gives gifted men to churches to preach the Word
Ephesians 4:11-12
- God instructs pastors to preach the Word
2 Timothy 4:2-4
Churches
Acts 9:31
Churches Multiply:
- When churches assemble
- When they fellowship
- When they pray together
- When they praise together
- When they study God’s Word together
- When they multiply
If he can keep us from meeting together, he can quench the Spirit and power of God