WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.019 Well, good morning. It's good to see all of you this morning. For the last several weeks, 00:00:10.019 --> 00:00:15.380 ! we've been working through the book of Acts and coming to understand a little bit more 00:00:15.380 --> 00:00:22.500 ! about the church. We've answered the question, what is the church? And over last week and this 00:00:22.500 --> 00:00:27.640 week, we're going to try to answer the question, what is the purpose of the church? So I'd encourage 00:00:27.640 --> 00:00:34.579 you, if you would please, to turn in your Bibles to Acts chapter 2, verse 42. That's where we will be 00:00:34.579 --> 00:00:42.780 this morning. If you're using the Pew Bible, it's on page 911. What is the purpose of the church? 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:51.340 One of the things I love about Maranatha is its commitment to missions. And especially in its 00:00:51.340 --> 00:00:58.800 commitment to missions, in sending their young people, their teens, on missions trips every 00:00:58.800 --> 00:01:05.659 summertime. I've had the joy of the last several years to be able to lead one of those trips. And 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:12.580 it is an example, to me at least, and I think to the teens, of your commitment to giving them 00:01:12.579 --> 00:01:20.459 opportunities to see Jesus in a real personal way and to be able to part of ministering the work of 00:01:20.459 --> 00:01:27.359 the gospel, encouraging individuals who need to hear about the Lord in a special way. Well, a couple 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:34.239 years ago, we went to a place in Chicago called Inner City Impact. And we tend to do that during the 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:41.500 July 4th weekend, because on July 4th, we get to take a little break and go into Chicago and enjoy 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:49.819 some time together. When we do that, there's a spot down Millennium Park. I'm sure many of you have 00:01:49.819 --> 00:01:56.340 been there, the big chrome bean that's there in Millennium Park. One of my favorite things to do, 00:01:56.439 --> 00:02:03.760 however, is to go and to listen to the orchestra as they prepare and get ready for their performance 00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:13.420 on July 4th evening. Now, those of you who have been part of hearing an orchestra, especially a good one, 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:20.939 will kind of know how it works. At least there in Chicago, the orchestra would come, and they would always 00:02:20.939 --> 00:02:26.340 come at kind of different times, not necessarily show up at the same time. They would take their seat. 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:32.539 They would begin to play. Now, they would each be playing their own thing. You know, the violins be 00:02:32.539 --> 00:02:39.259 playing their thing. Each individual kind of working on the part of the song that they needed to fine tune. 00:02:39.980 --> 00:02:47.780 And then there's a moment, right? That one moment where that one instrument now plays that note, 00:02:47.780 --> 00:02:55.800 and then the rest of the orchestra will tune their instruments to that one instrument, that main 00:02:55.800 --> 00:03:03.599 instrument, that standard instrument that kind of sets the tone, sets the cue, sets the note for the rest 00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:12.259 of the orchestra. It really is an amazing moment when all of these instruments begin to find alignment 00:03:12.259 --> 00:03:19.359 and tune their instruments to that one instrument that's providing the standard. 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:27.299 That's kind of what we see in our text this morning. We see one standard, one note that's being played. 00:03:27.859 --> 00:03:33.259 It's the note that Christ has played for his church, and it's a note that the rest of the church 00:03:33.259 --> 00:03:42.239 begins to enjoy as they're harmonizing and aligning their lives to this one note, Jesus Christ. 00:03:42.259 --> 00:03:53.739 Christ and the church is beginning to demonstrate its oneness, its oneness to Christ and their oneness 00:03:53.739 --> 00:04:01.219 to one another. You know, each of us have our own occupations. We have our own priorities. We have our 00:04:01.219 --> 00:04:07.280 own families. We have our own hobbies. We have our own activities and interests. But the beautiful part 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:15.800 about being a member of a church and being part of a church is as we align ourselves to the teaching 00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:22.920 that we'll see this morning from our passage, it will begin to play out in the harmony of the rest 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:31.600 of us demonstrating oneness, oneness to Christ and oneness to one another. You see, when the church 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:40.540 gathers, God does something for us. He brings us back to that one fixed constant. He tunes our hearts 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:49.020 to himself. And as he tunes our hearts to him, then when we play and when we do what God has called us 00:04:49.020 --> 00:04:57.379 to do, there's harmony. There's alignment. We recognize that all of our activities, however uncoordinated 00:04:57.379 --> 00:05:04.459 they might be at various times, need to be brought back into alignment to the Lord. And that's the 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:09.399 beauty of what we will look at this morning in Acts chapter 2. We'll see this beauty and harmony 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:15.199 beginning to take shape in this church as they're aligning their hearts to the Lord Jesus. 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:24.480 As we ask the question, what is the purpose of the church? Last week, we began by mentioning there's a 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:30.640 fourfold purpose. There's something that God has called all of us to do, not just as a conglomerate, 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:37.020 as a community, but even individually, there are priorities that God has set for us. 00:05:37.680 --> 00:05:43.780 And you can see those priorities here in the banners behind me. But essentially, he's called us all to 00:05:43.780 --> 00:05:51.560 worship. You are and I am to be a worshiper. God has called us all to discipleship, to make disciples 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:58.959 in all the nations. God has called us to fellowship. He's called us to unity. And God has called us to 00:05:58.959 --> 00:06:06.579 evangelism. He's called us to share that truth, that gospel light to the world around us. And so we began 00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:13.920 to look at that last week, and we kind of centered those priorities around a word that starts with 00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:23.240 B to help us remember them. So worship is bow. Discipleship is build. Evangelism is bless. And our 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:30.100 unity or fellowship is our belonging together. And I want to look at them worship briefly just to 00:06:30.100 --> 00:06:35.139 remind you of what we covered last week. And for those of you who weren't here to kind of bring you 00:06:35.139 --> 00:06:42.920 into our discussion on Acts chapter 2 verses 42 to 47, and then pick it up with discipleship in just a 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:50.540 few minutes here. The first question we ask is, what is worship? What is worship? And we saw from Acts 00:06:50.540 --> 00:06:59.420 chapter 2 verse 42 that worship begins with knowing God truly. It begins with knowing God. We saw that 00:06:59.420 --> 00:07:08.180 you can't worship a God that you don't know. And so God has revealed himself. He revealed himself in 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:15.300 creation. He revealed himself through his son, Jesus Christ. The word of God was made flesh. He dwelt among us. 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:21.980 Why? Well, so that we would know him. And in knowing him, then we can worship him. And that's what we see in 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:29.720 verse 42 of Acts chapter 2. It says, and they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, the 00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:36.560 breaking of bread in the prayers. There was a learning aspect. There was a knowing aspect. There was a teaching 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:43.780 aspect so that those who were part of this fellowship of believers could know the Lord Jesus and could 00:07:43.780 --> 00:07:51.740 worship him the way that he deserved. We see that in Romans chapter 10 verses 14 to 17. It says this, 00:07:51.740 --> 00:07:58.000 how then will they call on him who they have not believed? And how will they believe on him whom 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:03.840 they've not heard? And how will they hear without someone preaching? How are they to preach unless they 00:08:03.840 --> 00:08:10.319 are sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news. So faith 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:20.000 comes from hearing in hearing through the word of Christ. Worship begins with knowing God. I wonder this 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:27.279 morning, do you know God truly? Not just things about God, but do you know who God is truly? And that's 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:35.139 where the apostle Peter starts. He starts in his message back in verse 22 to speak about who Jesus is. 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:43.860 The focal point, the center of worship is knowing him. And so Peter talked about Jesus, his nature, 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:49.299 that he is fully man and fully God, that he died, that he rose again, that he's now seated at the right 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:55.599 hand of God, the Father, so that you could know him. And so that in knowing him, you could worship him. 00:08:56.519 --> 00:09:05.799 Well, worship then leads to loving God supremely. You see, their affection for the Lord Jesus is seen, 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:12.740 it's visible in their affection for one another. And as we work through this passage, it's going to be 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:19.399 absolutely abundantly clear that they love one another. They enjoy being with one another. There is 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:26.299 an affection, a sincere desire to be in community, in relationship with one another. 00:09:27.560 --> 00:09:31.180 But that's how it works. You know the first and second great command. 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:37.180 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And then the second 00:09:37.180 --> 00:09:41.960 is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. And the two work in harmony. They don't work 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:50.800 independently. We know that we love God truly when we love God's people fervently and sincerely. 00:09:51.879 --> 00:10:01.300 It's clear in how we respond to others that our affection and our love for God is real or artificial. 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:07.580 So we will love. We will love God. And we'll love others that God has put us in relationship with. 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:15.759 We also saw that worship results in obeying God sincerely. In obeying God sincerely. You see, 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:23.180 when we love God, we do the things that God loves. We do the things that God wants. We seek to carry out 00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:30.120 the instructions that God has given to us. It's a way for us to express our love for Him. It's a way for us to 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:37.879 enjoy and experience His love for us. As we come to know what His Word says, we work it out in our life. 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:45.000 And we demonstrate that there is this real, genuine relationship that we have with Him. 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:51.799 I love how the psalmist puts this in Psalm 119. In verse 97, it says this, 00:10:51.799 --> 00:11:00.359 Oh, how I love your law. I meditate on it all day long. Great peace have they who love your law, 00:11:00.479 --> 00:11:08.019 and nothing can make them stumble. I wonder, are you growing in your love for the Word of God? 00:11:08.979 --> 00:11:16.439 And you can begin to recognize your love for the Word of God in your obedience to the things that God 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:23.520 has instructed us to do. Not as obligation, but as a means by which we can say, yes, I love you. I love 00:11:23.520 --> 00:11:30.680 your law. I love what you instruct. I want to do what you say, because I love you and want to express 00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:41.260 to others your worthiness. My worship plays out in obedience to Him. So that's the first priority 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:47.679 that we see. And the next is this, is discipleship. But what is discipleship? Well, we begin to see 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:53.819 discipleship again playing out in verse 42 when it says this, They devoted themselves to the apostles' 00:11:53.819 --> 00:12:01.519 teaching and the fellowship to the breaking of bread and the prayers. That key word right at the beginning 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:10.319 of this verse is our first point. Discipleship begins with devotion to Christ. It begins with devotion 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:17.420 to Christ. Notice, and they devoted themselves. Devoted themselves. Maybe a better translation 00:12:17.420 --> 00:12:24.720 would be, and they were devoting themselves. It's actually a participle. It helps us understand the 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:30.480 ongoing nature of this activity in their life. It wasn't a one-time thing, but expressed this 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:38.660 ongoing character and quality, this mark of this people who were devoting themselves to all of these 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:47.319 areas. This devotion was expressed in this ongoing commitment to this priority. They continued 00:12:47.319 --> 00:12:55.899 steadfastly. They remained. They persisted. This was not just a passing emotion, but a settled pattern 00:12:55.899 --> 00:13:04.600 of life. And so they moved from being just an assembled group of individuals, a bunch of people who just kind 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:10.659 of came and assembled in one space. And now we're beginning to see that they belong to one another. 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:17.920 They're devoted to one another. They're engaged in life with one another. They have moved from this 00:13:17.920 --> 00:13:25.300 assembled crowd to this devoted crowd. And we see that this is not just a passing fad in their life. 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:32.279 We see this now becomes kind of the mark of who they are. We see that in verse 14 of chapter 1. 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:37.360 That's where it all began. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer. 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:45.779 And then in our passage in chapter 2 verse 46, and day by day attending temple together. That's the 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:52.139 same word devoted. They were continuing in this expression of worship together. We see their oneness 00:13:52.139 --> 00:14:00.879 in chapter 2 verse 46. So continuing daily with one accord. And then in chapter 4, we see now the full 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:08.659 number of those who believed were of one heart. They were connected. They were together. They were united 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:16.399 as a people. And then in chapter 5 verse 12, it says, many signs and wonders were regularly done among 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:24.980 the people by the hands of the apostles, and they were all together. One more. We see their devotion to 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:33.039 one another in Acts chapter 6 verse 4. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:43.139 word. Devotion to Christ was an expression of their everyday. It fashioned them. It formed them. And their 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:49.920 devotion was first to the Lord Jesus. As we look at discipleship throughout the gospels, we see how it all 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:56.759 began. It began with devotion to Christ. As you remember, Christ consistently says, follow me. Follow 00:14:56.759 --> 00:15:04.959 me. That's the ongoing beckoning plea. Follow me. Devote yourselves to me. See that in Matthew chapter 4 00:15:04.959 --> 00:15:13.219 verse 19. It says, and he said to them, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. And of course, 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:21.000 devotion to the Lord Jesus, following after him, sometimes requires a cost. We see that in Luke 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:27.720 chapter 9 verses 23 to 25. It says, and he said to all, if anyone would come after me, let him deny 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:33.300 himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever 00:15:33.300 --> 00:15:40.660 loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:51.500 and loses or forfeits himself? You see, devotion to Christ is often costly. But as you know, the more 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:58.959 you come to know Jesus for yourself, the more you realize how precious he is. Yes, discipleship might 00:15:58.959 --> 00:16:07.879 be costly, but Jesus is precious. He's precious. He's worth the cost. And so while discipleship starts 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:15.779 with devotion to Christ, we see that that devotion is strengthened by other devotion that we see here 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:24.080 in our passage. Notice they're devoted to the teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, 00:16:24.439 --> 00:16:30.659 the prayers. These are all definite articles before the noun to help you understand there's something 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:36.899 quite specific about their devotion. It's not just devotion kind of loosey-goosey out in the open, 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:46.199 but it's devotion to something very specific. It's not general, but there's an absolute sense to their 00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:54.899 devotion, to teaching, to the teaching. We recognize that there is a truth source. We understand that 00:16:54.899 --> 00:17:01.340 they're devoted to the apostles' teaching, not just any kind of teaching. Of course, the apostles were 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:06.480 there to lay the foundation for the church. They're taking the instruction, the word that they heard from 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:13.660 the Lord Jesus, that message, and now they're sharing that message, that doctrine, that body and core 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:19.660 truths that they had heard from the Lord Jesus. Now they are dispensing those truths to those who have 00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:27.320 gathered on this day. The teaching. That was important. Also, the fellowship. This is the word koinonia. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:35.600 This is the word for togetherness or community. It is expressed in their one heart, their one mind, 00:17:35.600 --> 00:17:43.940 their one man kind of connectedness. In this definite article, the fellowship, helps you understand 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:51.620 that this is a group of individuals with a specific, specific community in mind. 00:17:52.779 --> 00:18:00.299 They're connected. It's a known body of believers. They're not just those who've gathered artificially, 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:07.279 but they're beginning to understand their belongingness to one another, their commitment to one another. 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:13.539 Then we see the breaking of bread. Well, what is this? Well, it's not just sharing a meal together, 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:22.019 but it's sharing the meal. The meal. Of course, remembering Christ's death until he comes. The 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:29.639 communion aspect, this remembering aspect, the meal that they shared to commemorate the work of Christ 00:18:29.639 --> 00:18:36.220 in drawing them together. And then the prayers. This was a group of individuals who understand their 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:42.960 commitment to prayer. Be watchful in prayer, continuing in it with thanksgiving. That's Paul's 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:49.680 advice to the church. And that should be the expression of those who have gathered as believers, 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:56.420 is our commitment to one another in prayer. Not just individually, but especially corporately. 00:18:57.440 --> 00:19:03.420 So discipleship begins with devotion to Christ, but it leads then to growing in Christ. It leads to 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:08.460 growing in Christ. We see this throughout the passage, this commitment of God's people to one another. 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:15.360 They're not just loosely assembled, but they're bound inseparably to one another. This is the 00:19:15.360 --> 00:19:23.180 continuing work of the teaching that's taking place. We know that the word of God is living and 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:30.680 active. We see that in Hebrews chapter 10. And Peter, in one of his epistles to the scattered church, 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:34.319 will talk about the essential nature of the word of God. He says, 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:42.240 we have been born again, he says, through the living and abiding word of God. A word that abides 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:51.720 forever. You see, if the word of God is living and active, it's meant to impart spiritual life to those 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:59.439 who receive it. So that your life is not characterized by being static, but it's characterized by being one 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:05.259 one of growth, one of movement, one of progress, moving in a certain direction. That's what the 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:13.720 word of God will do for those who have embraced it. But you see, God, by his grace, has not just given 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:21.580 apostles. God, by his grace, has also gifted the church with pastors and teachers for the sake of 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:28.139 helping them grow in Christ. We find that in Ephesians chapter 4 verses 11 to 13. It says this, 00:20:28.699 --> 00:20:34.960 he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, that's a shepherd's word 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:40.500 is the another word for pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:46.659 for the building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith in the knowledge 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:52.720 of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 00:20:53.460 --> 00:21:03.600 God has graciously given the church pastors and teachers for this specific role to help to equip 00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:12.519 them for ministry and to help them grow in knowledge and unity in faith, knowing what the word of God says, 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:19.139 knowing how to apply that word to their life, knowing the body of truth that helps inform them 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:26.420 about who Jesus is so they can grow in spiritual maturity and grow in togetherness with one another. 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:35.359 God has given us the gift of spiritual leaders for the sake of helping us enjoy growth. 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:42.039 And so it shows up in this community of believers. We see that here in verses 43 to 46. Notice, 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:47.940 notice this active, growing, interactive community. It says, 00:21:47.940 --> 00:22:17.660 Do you see this community that's growing? 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:24.840 They're learning together. They're sharing together. They are worshiping together. They're 00:22:24.840 --> 00:22:32.059 celebrating together. And Paul gives us this similar picture in Ephesians chapter 4 verses 15 and 16. 00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:39.440 This growing church. What happens when a church consolidates around the leaders that has been 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:43.900 given and is learning and growing from those leaders? Here's the kind of growth you can expect. 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.900 It says, 00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:49.960 Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 00:22:50.620 --> 00:22:56.000 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, 00:22:56.540 --> 00:23:02.600 when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:17.059 If you want and I want to grow in every way, that growth is dependent upon the teaching. The teaching that God has graciously given to us through his word, 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:23.779 but also faithfully distributed through the spiritual leaders that he has blessed us with. 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:33.379 I have been a beneficiary of godly, faithful teachers. And I trust that you have also been a beneficiary of godly, faithful teachers. 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:41.259 And notice, if we want to grow up in this way, we need to join ourselves together in this process. 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:47.639 Notice it begins with love, speaking the truth in love. Notice where it ends. 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:53.180 It ends when the body grows so that it builds itself up in love. 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:56.780 Love is the beginning and the end of this process. 00:23:57.520 --> 00:24:02.940 It helps to describe this church who is committed to discipleship, being together. 00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:07.580 And so God has called us all to something. 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:18.259 He's called us to this privilege and responsibility of helping one another grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ. 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:24.500 And so once we are growing in Christ, then it results in forming Christ in others. 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:27.299 In forming Christ in others. 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:31.379 I love how the apostle Paul puts this in Galatians chapter 4 verse 19. 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:39.820 He says, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you. 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.500 That's the goal. 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:47.020 The goal of discipleship is not just to have a new body of information. 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:48.180 Not just new teaching. 00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:50.980 Not just new facts and figures. 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:53.020 Not just new arguments from the scripture. 00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:58.660 The goal of teaching, the goal of discipleship is Christ. 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.800 Is to form Christ in you. 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:03.520 Now this is especially important. 00:25:04.080 --> 00:25:07.620 And I think it's been one of those things the Lord has been challenging me with a lot. 00:25:08.300 --> 00:25:11.340 Because it's really easy to go through the routine. 00:25:11.520 --> 00:25:14.360 I've got a deliverable every single week. 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:15.700 I have to preach. 00:25:15.800 --> 00:25:16.500 I need to teach. 00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:17.940 I need to come to the scriptures. 00:25:18.080 --> 00:25:22.380 I need to give you something to listen to from the word of God. 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:24.340 And hopefully it's instructive. 00:25:24.600 --> 00:25:25.520 Hopefully it's beneficial. 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:29.060 Hopefully it's encouraging and supportive in some way. 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:30.799 But if it ends there. 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:34.519 If it ends with just you learning more information. 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:39.919 And if it ends with me just delivering a message. 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:43.220 Then the goal has not been accomplished. 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:46.400 Because it's meant to form Christ in you. 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.700 It's meant to form Christ in me. 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:52.559 And so if my teaching doesn't take me to Christ. 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:55.819 If my teaching doesn't help me grow in Christ. 00:25:55.819 --> 00:26:01.419 If my teaching in the process of teaching doesn't make me depend on him. 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.759 And love him more. 00:26:02.939 --> 00:26:06.659 Then it is absolutely a waste of my time and your time. 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:11.980 We are called by God's grace. 00:26:12.540 --> 00:26:17.380 To actively be a part of the process of forming Christ in one another. 00:26:17.860 --> 00:26:18.759 That is the goal. 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.740 That's the privilege. 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.680 That's the joy. 00:26:21.340 --> 00:26:22.180 The joy is that. 00:26:22.840 --> 00:26:25.140 We see that not only in Galatians. 00:26:25.300 --> 00:26:29.019 But especially in 2 Timothy 2 verse 2. 00:26:29.080 --> 00:26:30.420 Let me share this with you. 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:32.759 It's unbelievable how this works. 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.200 Listen. 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.819 This is Paul talking to Timothy. 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.059 He says. 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:36.779 What you heard from me. 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:38.840 In the presence of many witnesses. 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:41.299 In trust to faithful men. 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:43.340 Who will be able to teach others also. 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:47.259 Do you realize in that one short verse. 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:50.259 There are four generations of believers. 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.980 That the apostle Paul is referred to. 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:54.160 He says. 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:55.120 What you've heard from me. 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.759 That's Paul. 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.200 That's generation number one. 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:59.620 From the presence of many witnesses. 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:01.160 In trust to faithful men. 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:02.100 That's you Timothy. 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:03.740 You're the second generation. 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:06.059 You entrust to faithful men. 00:27:06.219 --> 00:27:07.199 That's the third generation. 00:27:07.399 --> 00:27:08.079 And what will they do. 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:10.019 Well they're going to carry it on to others. 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.679 Four generations. 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.939 That's discipleship. 00:27:14.699 --> 00:27:16.759 Discipleship is forming Christ in others. 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:18.459 It's helping them love Christ. 00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:19.919 Not just know Christ. 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.659 But to worship Christ. 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:25.179 And to grow in their relationship with Christ. 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:27.839 So they can help form Christ in others as well. 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:30.240 And so here at Maranatha. 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:33.039 There are a number of ways we try to do that. 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:37.259 And it's not the ultimate strategy. 00:27:37.399 --> 00:27:39.939 But it's one of the many things that we seek to do. 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:42.959 We have a number of Bible studies that take place throughout the week. 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:45.939 We have three women's studies that are happening. 00:27:46.179 --> 00:27:47.359 I think two in the morning. 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.519 And one in the evening. 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:51.059 We have two men's studies that take place. 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.079 One in the morning. 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.019 And one in the evening. 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:54.960 That's to help form Christ in you. 00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:56.500 Help introduce you to him. 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:58.920 Help you develop your relationship with him. 00:27:59.119 --> 00:28:00.400 So you can know him more. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:03.400 Then we have something called connect groups. 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:09.879 And really all a connect group is a place where you can go at 9 o'clock. 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:11.420 From 9 to about 10.30. 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:15.500 To not just to hear a lesson. 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:19.680 But especially to interact over the scripture together. 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:22.279 We have facilitators. 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.200 Young men. 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.299 Older men. 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:27.680 Who are helping to lead discussions around either certain topics. 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.660 From the Bible. 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:30.420 Or from the scripture itself. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:33.740 The goal is not only to encourage you. 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:37.759 And to invite you into a spiritual conversation from the word. 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.539 So that you grow. 00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:41.539 But so that you can stimulate growth in others. 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:43.559 And through the process. 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:46.420 The goal is that you would also be part. 00:28:46.639 --> 00:28:49.399 Of helping to encourage these men. 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:52.780 In the process of forming Christ in them too. 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:55.320 Helping them grow in experience. 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.560 Helping them to be equipped. 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:58.100 Helping them to be encouraged. 00:28:58.280 --> 00:28:59.160 And helping them to grow. 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:04.800 So that they can rise as a teacher within our fellowship. 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:08.339 We also have something called small groups. 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:11.839 Small groups are for a longer span of time. 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:15.240 While connect groups usually happen from 6 to 12 weeks at a time. 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:18.099 So there's a lot of on ramps and off ramps. 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:24.399 You can form smaller community fellowships with different people. 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:27.359 But small groups are designed kind of for the long haul. 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:30.379 Normally a year at a time. 00:29:30.939 --> 00:29:32.219 And you're meeting with these groups. 00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:33.619 And you're studying the word together. 00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:35.519 You're fellowshipping with one another. 00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:36.500 Praying together. 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:41.059 And forming deeper relationships with a group of individuals. 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:44.139 Usually once or twice a month. 00:29:44.899 --> 00:29:49.639 These are just some of the ways that we have sought to help build the church. 00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:52.599 Informing Christ in a love for him. 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:54.399 So that's discipleship. 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.759 Well what is fellowship? 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:57.220 What is fellowship? 00:29:58.019 --> 00:30:01.140 This is where we're going to kind of draw our time to a close. 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.839 By talking about fellowship. 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:06.799 And then we'll pick up evangelism next week. 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:10.720 Fellowship expresses our oneness in Christ. 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:13.680 Fellowship expresses our oneness in Christ. 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:16.440 Of course we're working in order now. 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:18.920 Instead of bow, build, bless and belong. 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:20.980 Instead of the evangelism component. 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:24.940 I want you to see the significance of fellowship and unity. 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.900 That then leads to these other things. 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:29.559 Fellowship expresses our oneness in Christ. 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:32.640 And we see that in verses 44 to 47. 00:30:33.580 --> 00:30:36.720 And all who believed were together. 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:39.799 And they had all things in common. 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:43.579 And they were selling their possessions and belongings. 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:49.420 And distributing their proceeds to all as any had need. 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:53.100 And day by day attending temple together. 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:56.819 And breaking bread in their homes collectively. 00:30:56.819 --> 00:31:00.759 They collectively received their food collectively. 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:02.519 With glad and generous hearts. 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:06.379 Praising God and having favor with all the people. 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:13.779 Can you see the connectedness that's taking place in this body of believers? 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:17.200 Their unity is unmistakable. 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:20.059 Shared belongings. 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.500 Shared needs. 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.720 Shared worship. 00:31:23.360 --> 00:31:24.039 Shared food. 00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.440 Shared hearts. 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:28.080 Shared praise with God. 00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:29.140 Or to God. 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.940 And shared favor with all the people. 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.440 They were all sharing. 00:31:33.620 --> 00:31:35.440 And Luke, the author of this book. 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:39.559 Has gone to great lengths to emphasize their togetherness. 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.340 Their unity. 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.160 Their oneness. 00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:42.700 Their fellowship with one another. 00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:45.420 They were united. 00:31:45.420 --> 00:31:50.920 But this unity that they experienced was not a work of them. 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:51.539 Okay? 00:31:51.900 --> 00:31:53.279 It wasn't just that they decided. 00:31:53.360 --> 00:31:53.660 You know what? 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.580 We need to be unified. 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:57.300 So let's make sure that we do this better. 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.039 No. 00:31:58.160 --> 00:32:04.620 Their unity is first enjoyed because of the unity that was created by God himself. 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:08.600 This is not a manufactured, man-made kind of unity. 00:32:08.600 --> 00:32:12.759 It's a God-appointed, God-built kind of unity. 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:17.319 Romans 6, verse 5 describes it. 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:27.920 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like him. 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.740 That is a work of God. 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:37.980 He is the one through his death, through his resurrection, makes real unity possible for those who believe. 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:40.880 It's not a unity that comes just to everybody. 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:47.980 It's a unity that happens for those who make a confession of faith in the Lord Jesus, make him their Lord and Savior. 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:52.599 He has joined believers together. 00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:59.740 We enjoy oneness to Christ, and thus we enjoy oneness with one another. 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:03.819 But fellowship is also the pathway to discipleship. 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:06.299 Now this is amazing, okay? 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:11.640 Now maybe you've never thought about the significance of fellowship as it relates to discipleship. 00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:16.880 And I want to make a pretty strong statement here. 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:20.799 And I think you're going to see this being worked out in the scripture. 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:32.159 You cannot fulfill the obligation or the command to disciple or to be part of discipleship without committing yourself to fellowship. 00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:35.159 That's what I'm trying to demonstrate here. 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:42.799 See, Christian fellowship is given to us with a goal in mind. 00:33:42.879 --> 00:33:44.859 It's not just about sharing a meal. 00:33:44.859 --> 00:33:51.899 It's not just about men meeting together to have steak, which I love the idea. 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:54.000 I think that's a great idea, Jeff. 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:55.519 Thank you for putting that together. 00:33:55.679 --> 00:33:56.719 I'm looking forward to that. 00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:59.479 But it's not just about sharing a meal. 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:02.339 It's fellowship with a goal in mind. 00:34:02.599 --> 00:34:03.519 There's training. 00:34:03.879 --> 00:34:04.639 There's teaching. 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:07.119 There's growing that's happening here. 00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:09.139 That's why we see this community. 00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:12.239 Yes, they are sharing a meal together. 00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:15.519 But notice, they're devoted to teaching. 00:34:16.339 --> 00:34:19.019 It's a group that's worshiping together. 00:34:19.919 --> 00:34:21.819 And that's the essence of Christian fellowship. 00:34:22.219 --> 00:34:25.759 That's what we see in Hebrews chapter 10, verses 24 and 25. 00:34:25.759 --> 00:34:33.359 We see fellowship, but it's fellowship that is activated or carried by teaching. 00:34:34.259 --> 00:34:38.559 Let us consider how to stir one another up to love and good works, 00:34:38.859 --> 00:34:42.199 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:45.519 but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching. 00:34:46.419 --> 00:34:49.859 Fellowship, you notice, togetherness, 00:34:50.379 --> 00:34:54.419 but togetherness with a goal of stirring one another up to love and good deeds. 00:34:55.359 --> 00:34:58.099 It's the model that's set forth by our Lord Jesus. 00:34:58.479 --> 00:35:01.939 In Mark chapter 3, verse 14, notice this. 00:35:02.459 --> 00:35:03.299 Speaking of Jesus, 00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:17.539 In order for the disciples, the apostles, 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:22.960 to ever accomplish and fulfill the objective that Christ had for them, 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:27.400 it required, first of all, fellowship with Christ. 00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.900 Belonging to Christ. 00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:31.039 Hearing from Him. 00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:32.440 Learning from Him. 00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:33.639 Watching Him. 00:35:34.059 --> 00:35:34.960 Interacting with Him. 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:38.000 Seeing how His heart for different people. 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:43.220 Watching how God the Father was guiding His life 00:35:43.219 --> 00:35:47.000 and how the Spirit was activating and empowering His life. 00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:53.879 If they were ever going to be witnesses of Christ's message to others, 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:57.539 they needed to first fellowship with Christ Himself. 00:35:57.539 --> 00:36:02.179 And that's what God has called us to as well. 00:36:03.719 --> 00:36:06.579 They needed to see Christ for themselves. 00:36:06.860 --> 00:36:11.259 And if we're ever going to be involved in discipleship, 00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:14.420 we must first commit ourselves to fellowship. 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:19.480 I love how the Apostle Paul expresses this in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, verse 8. 00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.400 He said, 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:24.860 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:29.000 not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, 00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:31.519 because you had become so dear to us. 00:36:32.220 --> 00:36:34.760 This affection that the Apostle Paul had 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:38.680 to stimulate this church in learning, in growing, 00:36:39.240 --> 00:36:41.599 but doing it in community. 00:36:42.760 --> 00:36:46.800 Finally, fellowship is the channel of gospel witness. 00:36:47.559 --> 00:36:49.980 It's the channel of gospel witness. 00:36:49.980 --> 00:36:52.860 It's not just the platform by which discipleship happens, 00:36:53.199 --> 00:36:55.579 but it's also the channel of gospel witness. 00:36:55.980 --> 00:36:58.159 Notice in verse 47 how this works. 00:36:58.900 --> 00:37:01.960 They're praising God and having favor with all the people, 00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:05.400 and the Lord added to their number, 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:07.800 day by day, those who are being saved. 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:12.199 You see, what it produces, 00:37:12.699 --> 00:37:14.599 this fellowshipping community, 00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:16.519 actually confirms 00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:20.679 that what Christ has accomplished for them is real. 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:23.420 It helps to confirm 00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:25.400 that the gospel has power 00:37:25.400 --> 00:37:27.900 to overcome a lot of differences. 00:37:28.840 --> 00:37:30.860 This is a church that's gathered, 00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:31.960 lots of differences. 00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:34.699 Remember, 16 different countries, 00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:37.599 or 16 different languages that are spoken. 00:37:37.800 --> 00:37:39.599 They're all assembled in one place, 00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:40.800 different backgrounds, 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:42.800 different ethnic categories, 00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:44.800 different genders, 00:37:46.000 --> 00:37:46.920 male and female. 00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:48.420 They're all here together, 00:37:48.780 --> 00:37:49.740 and yet they're one. 00:37:50.140 --> 00:37:51.300 How is that possible? 00:37:52.280 --> 00:37:54.039 Well, it's possible because of the gospel, 00:37:54.519 --> 00:37:57.320 and it confirms the power of the gospel 00:37:57.320 --> 00:37:58.660 to change people, 00:37:58.659 --> 00:38:00.839 and it produces something. 00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:02.239 And so, 00:38:02.679 --> 00:38:03.420 we see 00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:05.440 the evidence of Christ's prayer 00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:07.000 in John chapter 17 coming through. 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:09.339 I do not ask for these only, 00:38:09.859 --> 00:38:11.879 but also for those who will believe in me 00:38:11.879 --> 00:38:12.619 through their word. 00:38:13.000 --> 00:38:13.299 Why? 00:38:13.399 --> 00:38:14.819 That they might be one, 00:38:15.259 --> 00:38:16.500 just as you, Father, 00:38:16.599 --> 00:38:17.299 are in me, 00:38:17.440 --> 00:38:18.399 and I in you, 00:38:19.099 --> 00:38:21.179 that they also may be in us, 00:38:21.599 --> 00:38:24.099 so that the world may believe 00:38:24.099 --> 00:38:25.179 that you have sent me. 00:38:25.179 --> 00:38:29.359 Our oneness proves 00:38:29.359 --> 00:38:32.619 that the Father sent the Son 00:38:32.619 --> 00:38:34.659 to accomplish salvation 00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:35.799 through His death and resurrection. 00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:38.379 If you want to have an effective, 00:38:39.039 --> 00:38:41.699 fruitful, gospel testimony, 00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:44.619 it begins with demonstrating 00:38:44.619 --> 00:38:46.480 a commitment to the body. 00:38:47.339 --> 00:38:49.059 Fellowship and oneness 00:38:49.059 --> 00:38:50.919 in unity with the body. 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:52.819 And so, 00:38:52.820 --> 00:38:55.840 if we ever want to have a platform 00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:57.420 for effective discipleship 00:38:57.420 --> 00:38:59.039 in growing people in Christ, 00:38:59.180 --> 00:39:00.640 and if we ever want to have a platform 00:39:00.640 --> 00:39:02.420 for effective evangelism 00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:04.019 in leading people to Christ, 00:39:04.300 --> 00:39:05.480 it shows up 00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:06.780 in how you relate 00:39:06.780 --> 00:39:08.680 to the body of Christ. 00:39:09.420 --> 00:39:09.640 Now, 00:39:09.680 --> 00:39:10.620 that should not be surprising. 00:39:12.100 --> 00:39:13.019 Our commitment 00:39:13.019 --> 00:39:14.140 to the body 00:39:14.140 --> 00:39:15.460 proves 00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:17.180 that the gospel is real. 00:39:18.780 --> 00:39:19.180 And so, 00:39:19.280 --> 00:39:20.360 if we're not united, 00:39:20.360 --> 00:39:22.820 at least two things will happen. 00:39:22.920 --> 00:39:23.200 First, 00:39:23.780 --> 00:39:24.880 our own salvation 00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:26.000 is called into question. 00:39:26.400 --> 00:39:26.840 Not that, 00:39:27.420 --> 00:39:29.000 not that you're not saved. 00:39:29.539 --> 00:39:29.920 That's not, 00:39:30.140 --> 00:39:31.360 that's not what I'm saying, 00:39:31.500 --> 00:39:31.599 but, 00:39:31.720 --> 00:39:31.940 but, 00:39:32.099 --> 00:39:32.720 but that it, 00:39:32.720 --> 00:39:34.280 it raises the question 00:39:34.280 --> 00:39:35.920 that is the work 00:39:35.920 --> 00:39:37.480 that Christ has done for you, 00:39:37.680 --> 00:39:39.300 has it actually accomplished something? 00:39:39.780 --> 00:39:41.380 Not just oneness to God, 00:39:41.460 --> 00:39:43.120 but oneness with the people 00:39:43.120 --> 00:39:43.900 that God has put me 00:39:43.900 --> 00:39:44.579 in fellowship with. 00:39:45.320 --> 00:39:46.780 And the second thing it does 00:39:46.780 --> 00:39:48.480 is that now our message 00:39:48.480 --> 00:39:49.680 loses its credibility. 00:39:50.360 --> 00:39:51.920 And that's the essence 00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:52.820 of Christ's prayer. 00:39:53.200 --> 00:39:54.480 If I'm not one 00:39:54.480 --> 00:39:55.099 with the people 00:39:55.099 --> 00:39:55.960 that God has put me 00:39:55.960 --> 00:39:58.079 together with, 00:39:58.680 --> 00:40:00.460 then my message 00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:01.380 of the gospel 00:40:01.380 --> 00:40:03.120 has no, 00:40:03.120 --> 00:40:04.460 has no effectiveness. 00:40:04.720 --> 00:40:05.820 It has no evidence. 00:40:05.960 --> 00:40:06.740 There's no evidence 00:40:06.740 --> 00:40:07.460 to demonstrate 00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:09.039 that it actually has power 00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:09.680 to do anything. 00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:11.300 And so, 00:40:11.440 --> 00:40:11.840 fellowship, 00:40:12.480 --> 00:40:13.340 fellowship 00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:14.780 at Maranatha 00:40:14.780 --> 00:40:15.760 is something we want to grow. 00:40:15.920 --> 00:40:16.620 We want to grow in. 00:40:17.680 --> 00:40:18.740 Particularly in our, 00:40:18.820 --> 00:40:20.180 in our serving teams. 00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:20.879 I think this is how 00:40:20.879 --> 00:40:21.679 we probably see 00:40:21.679 --> 00:40:22.899 fellowship happen 00:40:22.899 --> 00:40:24.079 very, 00:40:24.219 --> 00:40:25.179 very well here. 00:40:26.359 --> 00:40:26.859 Our, 00:40:26.859 --> 00:40:27.059 our, 00:40:27.059 --> 00:40:28.039 our serving teams 00:40:28.039 --> 00:40:28.539 that, 00:40:28.579 --> 00:40:29.339 that express 00:40:29.339 --> 00:40:30.279 their oneness 00:40:30.279 --> 00:40:31.480 through ministry 00:40:31.480 --> 00:40:32.059 to others. 00:40:32.460 --> 00:40:33.440 We have a number 00:40:33.440 --> 00:40:34.279 of serving teams 00:40:34.279 --> 00:40:35.000 here at Maranatha. 00:40:35.399 --> 00:40:36.199 Greeting teams, 00:40:36.639 --> 00:40:36.960 nursery, 00:40:37.500 --> 00:40:38.419 children's ministry, 00:40:38.839 --> 00:40:39.199 Awana, 00:40:39.719 --> 00:40:40.539 youth groups, 00:40:41.139 --> 00:40:42.759 mowing teams, 00:40:42.940 --> 00:40:44.199 and snow removal teams, 00:40:44.299 --> 00:40:44.759 and media, 00:40:44.919 --> 00:40:45.679 and live stream, 00:40:45.679 --> 00:40:45.980 and, 00:40:45.980 --> 00:40:47.000 and the praise, 00:40:47.159 --> 00:40:48.059 the praise team, 00:40:48.239 --> 00:40:49.899 and probably many others 00:40:49.899 --> 00:40:50.599 that I'm, 00:40:50.659 --> 00:40:51.239 that I'm missing. 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:53.000 But this is how we get to show 00:40:53.000 --> 00:40:53.659 that, 00:40:53.859 --> 00:40:54.019 that, 00:40:54.099 --> 00:40:55.219 that we belong together 00:40:55.219 --> 00:40:57.099 by serving one another 00:40:57.099 --> 00:40:58.219 in various ways. 00:40:59.500 --> 00:41:00.659 It's also a way 00:41:00.659 --> 00:41:02.480 of us fulfilling our, 00:41:02.659 --> 00:41:03.699 the one another commands 00:41:03.699 --> 00:41:04.659 that God has called us to. 00:41:05.500 --> 00:41:06.739 Do you realize there are over 00:41:06.739 --> 00:41:08.440 50 times in the New Testament 00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:10.220 where God commands us 00:41:10.220 --> 00:41:11.760 to do things together? 00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:12.900 One another. 00:41:13.519 --> 00:41:13.960 Let me give you 00:41:13.960 --> 00:41:15.000 just a couple of examples. 00:41:16.119 --> 00:41:17.440 We're to love one another. 00:41:18.119 --> 00:41:19.119 We're to show hospitality 00:41:19.119 --> 00:41:20.079 to one another. 00:41:20.280 --> 00:41:21.440 We're to serve one another. 00:41:21.960 --> 00:41:22.740 Greet one another. 00:41:23.320 --> 00:41:24.300 Fellowship with one another. 00:41:24.780 --> 00:41:25.820 Bear one another's burdens. 00:41:26.380 --> 00:41:27.159 Confess your sins 00:41:27.159 --> 00:41:27.639 to one another. 00:41:28.019 --> 00:41:28.920 Pray for one another. 00:41:29.300 --> 00:41:30.300 Stir one another up 00:41:30.300 --> 00:41:31.179 to love and good deeds. 00:41:31.619 --> 00:41:32.519 Exhort one another. 00:41:32.860 --> 00:41:33.760 Encourage one another. 00:41:34.139 --> 00:41:35.000 Admonish one another. 00:41:35.420 --> 00:41:36.240 Submit to one another. 00:41:36.380 --> 00:41:37.220 Forgive one another. 00:41:37.340 --> 00:41:38.059 Be patient 00:41:38.059 --> 00:41:38.980 with one another. 00:41:39.519 --> 00:41:40.299 We're to be kind 00:41:40.299 --> 00:41:40.820 to one another. 00:41:41.159 --> 00:41:42.119 We're to comfort one another. 00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:43.059 Greet one another. 00:41:43.400 --> 00:41:44.699 Agree with one another. 00:41:45.019 --> 00:41:45.659 Sing to one another. 00:41:45.779 --> 00:41:46.500 Care for one another. 00:41:46.639 --> 00:41:47.519 And the list goes on. 00:41:50.519 --> 00:41:51.259 The point 00:41:51.259 --> 00:41:53.460 should be very easy. 00:41:54.779 --> 00:41:55.460 We cannot 00:41:55.460 --> 00:41:56.980 be faithful 00:41:56.980 --> 00:41:58.799 followers of Jesus 00:41:58.799 --> 00:42:00.320 without being together. 00:42:02.079 --> 00:42:03.779 We have to commit ourselves 00:42:03.779 --> 00:42:05.779 to the things 00:42:05.779 --> 00:42:07.279 that Christ 00:42:07.280 --> 00:42:08.540 values. 00:42:08.540 --> 00:42:10.200 What he prioritizes. 00:42:10.900 --> 00:42:11.680 And then when we do 00:42:11.680 --> 00:42:12.820 the beauty of it 00:42:12.820 --> 00:42:14.560 is that everything else 00:42:14.560 --> 00:42:15.380 falls into place. 00:42:16.100 --> 00:42:17.000 Then discipleship 00:42:17.000 --> 00:42:17.780 begins to happen. 00:42:18.100 --> 00:42:18.860 And evangelism 00:42:18.860 --> 00:42:19.560 begins to happen. 00:42:19.740 --> 00:42:20.519 When we 00:42:20.519 --> 00:42:21.740 agree 00:42:21.740 --> 00:42:22.960 or prioritize 00:42:22.960 --> 00:42:24.260 the fellowshipping 00:42:24.260 --> 00:42:26.860 that fellowshipping aspect 00:42:26.860 --> 00:42:28.000 helps us to grow 00:42:28.000 --> 00:42:28.660 in ways 00:42:28.660 --> 00:42:30.300 that then unleashes 00:42:30.300 --> 00:42:32.220 those other 00:42:32.220 --> 00:42:33.840 priorities in our life 00:42:33.840 --> 00:42:35.080 and allows us 00:42:35.079 --> 00:42:35.840 to work them out 00:42:35.840 --> 00:42:36.739 in ways 00:42:36.739 --> 00:42:38.400 that are not just 00:42:38.400 --> 00:42:39.500 meaningful and effective 00:42:39.500 --> 00:42:40.619 but that are 00:42:40.619 --> 00:42:42.000 God-honoring, 00:42:42.159 --> 00:42:42.900 God-exalting. 00:42:43.179 --> 00:42:44.159 God then 00:42:44.159 --> 00:42:45.299 gets glory. 00:42:45.960 --> 00:42:46.880 And that's what we want. 00:42:47.400 --> 00:42:47.940 We want God 00:42:47.940 --> 00:42:49.420 to receive the glory 00:42:49.420 --> 00:42:50.880 that he alone deserves. 00:42:52.139 --> 00:42:52.539 Oh, may God 00:42:52.539 --> 00:42:53.139 help us 00:42:53.139 --> 00:42:54.319 as we 00:42:54.319 --> 00:42:55.440 prioritize 00:42:55.440 --> 00:42:56.199 the things 00:42:56.199 --> 00:42:56.759 that God 00:42:56.759 --> 00:42:57.400 has called us to. 00:42:57.900 --> 00:42:58.699 May you pray for us 00:42:58.699 --> 00:42:59.539 and then 00:42:59.539 --> 00:43:00.179 next week 00:43:00.179 --> 00:43:00.480 we're going to 00:43:00.480 --> 00:43:01.179 finish this up 00:43:01.179 --> 00:43:02.139 as we 00:43:02.139 --> 00:43:03.319 wrap up 00:43:03.319 --> 00:43:04.379 what is evangelism. 00:43:05.139 --> 00:43:05.559 Father, 00:43:05.679 --> 00:43:06.359 thank you for 00:43:06.359 --> 00:43:07.619 your word. 00:43:08.819 --> 00:43:09.839 Thank you for 00:43:09.839 --> 00:43:11.799 what we learn 00:43:11.799 --> 00:43:12.500 from the scriptures. 00:43:13.039 --> 00:43:13.919 The priorities 00:43:13.919 --> 00:43:14.679 that you set. 00:43:15.119 --> 00:43:15.699 The instructions 00:43:15.699 --> 00:43:16.519 that you give. 00:43:16.879 --> 00:43:17.859 But most of all 00:43:17.859 --> 00:43:19.419 the Christ 00:43:19.419 --> 00:43:20.279 that's at the center 00:43:20.279 --> 00:43:21.419 of all of this. 00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:23.099 Lord, 00:43:23.139 --> 00:43:23.659 I pray that you 00:43:23.659 --> 00:43:24.239 would help us 00:43:24.239 --> 00:43:24.739 to grow 00:43:24.739 --> 00:43:26.079 in our love 00:43:26.079 --> 00:43:26.639 for Jesus. 00:43:26.639 --> 00:43:28.539 and in that 00:43:28.539 --> 00:43:29.460 growing in love 00:43:29.460 --> 00:43:29.839 with you 00:43:29.839 --> 00:43:30.139 then 00:43:30.139 --> 00:43:31.500 we'll see 00:43:31.500 --> 00:43:33.159 a greater attention 00:43:33.159 --> 00:43:34.099 given to worship 00:43:34.099 --> 00:43:35.559 and to fellowship 00:43:35.559 --> 00:43:37.000 and discipleship 00:43:37.000 --> 00:43:37.960 and evangelism. 00:43:38.519 --> 00:43:39.559 And you will allow 00:43:39.559 --> 00:43:40.179 those things 00:43:40.179 --> 00:43:40.799 to be effective 00:43:40.799 --> 00:43:42.699 as we are finding 00:43:42.699 --> 00:43:43.420 strength 00:43:43.420 --> 00:43:44.519 and direction 00:43:44.519 --> 00:43:45.819 and power 00:43:45.819 --> 00:43:46.759 from you 00:43:46.759 --> 00:43:47.339 to do the things 00:43:47.339 --> 00:43:48.000 you've called us to. 00:43:48.799 --> 00:43:49.900 May you be glorified 00:43:49.900 --> 00:43:51.159 in and through us 00:43:51.159 --> 00:43:52.179 in Jesus' name. 00:43:52.400 --> 00:43:52.619 Amen. 00:43:53.339 --> 00:43:53.940 God bless you. 00:43:54.079 --> 00:43:54.619 Thanks for coming. 00:43:54.699 --> 00:43:55.099 Good to see you. 00:43:56.639 --> 00:44:26.619 God bless you.