WHAT THE CHURCH CAN MEAN TO YOU.
Col. 3:12-17
Thesis: to urge people to take active interest in the church.
Introduction:
1. In 1978 a poll by 31 organizations discovered that:
A. 61 million American adults (18 years +) who are not
members of any religious organization.
B. 41% of American adult population: unchurched.
C. However:
1. 27% of these believe Bible is God's word.
2. 75% want children to receive religious instruction.
3. 75% of unchurched prayed.
The Search For America's Faith
2. Two-fold value of this lesson:
A. An appeal to those who are not members of the church.
B. A challenge to those who are members.
3. The church may not be important to many people, but it
is important to Christ. (Col. 1:18).
A. Context: Complete in Christ.
B. People who are in Christ's kingdom. (Col. 1:12,13).
C. People who are redeemed. (Col. 1:14).
D. People who are forgiven. (Col. 1:14).
E. People who belong to Christ. (Col. 2:16,17 ASV).
Body:
1. A Special People. (Appeal to Personal Esteem; Col.3:12).
A. Elect: selected of God. (written to Christians).
1. There is an honor in that comes from being
elected by people to a political office.
2. There is no higher honor than that of being
selected by God for eternal life.
B. Holy. (Col. 1:2).
1. Israel, in the Old Testament, was God's chosen
special people.
2. Christians are now -set apart' as God's special
people. (Tit. 2:14; 2 Cor. 7:1).
C. Beloved. (I John 3:1-3).
1. God loves the world. (John 3:16).
2. But God has a special love for His own children.
D. In a day when the value of the individual is being
minimized.
1. Because of so many people - over 5 billion!
2. Becoming numbers.
3. God knows His people personally and He loves
them individually.
11. Foundation for Fellowship. (Col. 3:12-14).
A. We are living in a society of fractured relationships.
1. Seen in frightening breakup of the home.
2. Parent-child relationships.
B. The church of Christ has guidelines for repairing
relationships.
1. Compassion.
2. Kindness.
3. Humility.
4. Meekness.
5. Long suffering.
6. Forbearing.
7. Forgiveness.
8. Love.
Ill. Personal Peace. (Col. 3:15).
A. (Augustine: "Our heart is restless until ft comes to rest
in thee.*)
B. 'Called' (Vs. 15).
I - By gospel. (2 Thess. 2:13,14).
2. Gospel of peace! (Rom. 10:15).
C. The "peace of Christ" is the peace Christ gives.
D. "Peace" is not absence of conflict, it is a calmness of
soul in the midst of conflict.
IV. Mutual Edification. (Col. 3:16).
A. If the church does not provide a sense of community
- oneness, belonging - what will?
B. The church is Christ's body - every member is important! (I Cor. 12).
C. Source of strength: Word of' Christ!
D. "Teaching and admonishing" one another.
E. Church is people actively involved in helping each
other.
Conclusion:
1. God purposed the church. (Eph. 3:1 O,l 1).
2. Christ purchased ft. (Eph. 5:25,26).
3. The church can bless your life!
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