THE GATHERING OF THE SAINTS JULY 28, 2024


SCRIPTURE

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

“The local church is a community of regenerated believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord. In obedience to Scripture they organize under qualified leadership, gather regularly for preaching and worship, observe the biblical sacraments of baptism and Communion, are unified by the Spirit, are discipled for holiness, and scatter to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as missionaries to the world for God’s glory and their joy.” M. Driscoll

Ekklesia: Those called out from the world and called together.



CHURCH FRUSTRATIONS

There’s a ton of anger and cynicism against the Church, but she is still His Bride!

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25

Christopher Hitchens goes so far as to say religion is a poison to the world.



CHURCH FACTS

1/ The Christian ethic
Gave us hospitals, created adoption and foster care initiatives, elevated women to a place of equal value, founded the United States of America, stood against slavery, birthed mercy ministries that cover the planet, gave us modern science, among other things.


2/ Religious people
Donate the most blood, give ~$47B in volunteer service annually, contribute more towards a healthy society, commit less crime, give the most to charity, and so forth.
America’s Blessing: How Religion Benefits Everyone Including Atheists



GOD’S DESIGN FOR THE CHURCH

All of this can be done on an individual level, but “the Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” John Wesley

1/ The saints gather in macro groups.


2/ The saints gather in micro groups.


3/ The saints gather regularly.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do. Hebrews 10:25

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish. Psalm 92:13



A FRAMEWORK FOR MACRO GATHERINGS

Acts 2 outlines five primary reasons the Church exists: Glorify, Grow, Gather, Give, Go.



A FRAMEWORK FOR MICRO GATHERINGS

Creating an authentic, spiritually vibrant community requires specific elements.

1/ The saints gather to worship the Lord with one another.

Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:18-19

Our first priority is to the Savior, our second is to the saints, and our third is to sinners.

So when you are assembled…the power of our Lord Jesus is present. 1 Corinthians 5:4


2/ The saints gather to deeply love one another.

Let love be genuine…Love one another with brotherly affection. Romans 12:9-10


3/ The saints gather to the bear burdens of one another.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

4/ The saints gather to pray for one another.

Paul…prayed, and he laid his hands on Publius’s father and healed him. Acts 28:8


5/ The saints gather to encourage one another.

Encourage each other and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

We are to build up.

We are to be built up.


6/ The saints gather to confess sin to one another.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16


7/ The saints gather to restore one another.

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. Galatians 6

“I do not think I should value much the love of a friend who cared only for my happiness and did not object to my becoming dishonest.” C.S. Lewis


8/ The saints gather to meet the needs of one another.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24


We meet needs.

We have needs met.


9/ The saints gather to serve one another.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards. 1 Peter 4:10


10/ The saints gather to understand Scripture with one another.

When they were alone, the people around Jesus, along with the Twelve, asked Him about the parables. He (explained the parables to them). Mark 4:10-11


11/ The saints gather to grow in grace with one another.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3


12/ The saints gather to embrace the mission with one another.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8


13/ The saints gather to remind one another that Christ is coming for us.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25



CHRISTIAN LIFE GROUPS

1/ For some, it’s time to commit and connect.


2/ For others, it’s time to go deeper and invest more.


3/ For a few, it’s time to branch out and launch a group.