"Hope in the Church"
There is hope for the church because Jesus is it’s ultimate leader, there is hope for the world because Jesus is the head of the church
We need a bigger definition of the church
We need a greater commitment to BE the body of Jesus Christ
Decide
“You will never posses what you are unwilling to pursue.”
Discover
Scriptures to read over: Romans 12:4-7, 1 Corinthians 12:14,
Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Peter 4:8-11
Romans 12: 4-7 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
1 Peter 4:8-11 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Develop
Deploy
We need to tenaciously strive to keep Jesus pre-eminent in the church
Colossians 2:19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
a.We have to keep Jesus pre-eminent in our MOTIVES
b.We have to keep Jesus pre-eminent in our ACTIONS
c.We have to keep Jesus pre-eminent in our MISSION
d.We have to keep Jesus pre-eminent in our MESSAGE