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THEME: Unsinkable
SERIES: Postcards
TITLE: The Church – Capital C – The Bride of Christ
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18, Acts 2:42-47
I. What the Church IS NOT…
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- (A Model or Formula): The “HOW-TO” of a church does not define what “church” is!
- (A Program): The “WHAT WE DO” of a church does not define what “church” is!
- (A Building): This may be WHERE the church gathers, but it is not “the church.”
- (A Social Club): Reducing the church to a social gathering strips the church of its power, its position and its purpose.
- (A Pastor Following): DANGER ZONE! People are fallible! Put your pastor on a pedestal and you be disappointed, the pastor will be burned-out and the church will be without its spiritual power or influence!
II. What the Church IS…
Charles Swindoll in The Church Awakening: “The church is a body of people called out from among the world for the distinct and unique purpose of glorifying their Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Minimalist Definition: “The Church is a ‘family’ of Christ-followers with a purpose: to make much of Christ!”
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- FAMILY: not a blood family, but a spiritual family of 2.2 billion!
- Transcends all (divisions) and is totally (diverse)
- We are inseparably connected and in need of one another
- CHRIST-FOLLOWERS: we each individually relate to Christ!
- He is the (object of our faith)
- He is our (Savior)
- He is our (Lord)
- He is our (Greatest Treasure)
- WITH A PURPOSE: TO MAKE MUCH OF CHRIST!
- Through (Worship)
- Through (Obedience)
- Through (Evangelism)
- Through (Prayer)
- Through (Love)
- FAMILY: not a blood family, but a spiritual family of 2.2 billion!
Early Church Snapshot: Acts 2:42-47