Fullness

Why God’s People Come to Church

#26To Be Strengthened in Christ Together 9.18.22

Remember…

#1. To Worship God together.

#2. To be strengthened in Christ together.

#3. To be equipped to do the work of ministry.

#4. To conduct Kingdom business together.

#5. To be touched and made whole by Jesus.

#6. To be empowered to spread the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 14:26 NLT Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.

Colossians 1:11 NLT We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,

2 Corinthians 13:10 NLT I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

Isaiah 35:3, 4 With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. 4 Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

Romans 16:17-20 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Other translations: “EDIFY or BUILT UP”

The Need for Strengthening

· Luke 22:32 NLT But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

· Acts 14:21-23 NLT After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

· Acts 15:31-33 NLT And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message. 32 Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. 33 They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace.

· Acts 15:41 NLT Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.

· Acts 16:4-5 NLT Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.

· Acts 18:23 NLT After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.

· 1 Corinthians 8:1 NLT Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.

· 1 Corinthians 14:5 NLT I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.

· 1 Corinthians 14:12 NLT And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.

· 2 Corinthians 12:19 NLT Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you.

· 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 3 NLT and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, 3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.

· 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17 NLT Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope,

17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

· 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

· Hebrews 12:11-13 NLT No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

· Revelation 3:1-3 NLT “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again.

What do we do when we come together to be strengthened?

1. Remind each other of basic doctrine.

A. Remember and obey the Apostle’s doctrine.

B. The preeminence of Scripture

2. We minister out of prayer and fasting.

A. We come together with hearts conditioned to the Presence of The Spirit.

B. The Eastside admonitions

3. We commit each other the care of The Lord.

A. Somethings are beyond our control.

B. “The will of The Lord be done.” Acts 21:14

4. We willingly share our time and love with each other.

A. We receive, and we give out.

5. We operate in Spiritual Gifts.

A. In various locations; in various ways

6. We suffer together and prepare each other to endure hardships.

7. We rejoice together and remind each other to have grateful hearts.

8. We leave things better than we found them.

A. We build up.

B. We bring strength.

C. We give hope.

9. Leadership paves the way.

A. “Everything we do is done in order to strengthen you.” 2 Corinthians 12:19

LET ME SHARE WITH YOU THREE SURPRISING THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN WE PRESS THROUGH AND GO TO CHURCH.

1. 1965 - A movie night postponed.

2. 1970 - Answering the call of God.

3. 1988 - Set free by the Power of The Holy Spirit.