“The Importance of the Church”
Acts 13:1-5
By: Pastor
August 12, 2018 – SN
Jesus died for the church.
The church is God’s. The gates of hell will fight against it, but it will not prevail.
The church should be very important to those that are saved.
- It is a living church – v. 1
God put His power on the church.
God has His hand on the church.
Those that were used were not bystanders.
- It is a local church – v. 1
It was not a house church, but a local church.
There were prophets and teachers, and they ministered at their church, not someone else’s church.
They used their gifts at their local church.
Be a blessing to your home church.
Be involved in your local church.
- It was a laboring church – v. 2
God does not call lazy people into the ministry.
You should labor for the Lord.
When you minister to the Lord, you’re doing your very best.
Use your talent to honor the Lord.
Paul was great because he ministered at his home church.
If the church does not miss you when you are gone something is wrong.
Everyone can be involved in the ministry.
- It was a listening church – v. 2b
They listened to the Holy Ghost.
They waited on an answer. They wanted the approval of God before they did anything.
They were sensitive to the Holy Ghost speaking.
They waited for God to give them direction.
- It was a lending church – v. 3
Acts 14:23; Acts 6:6-7; 2 Corinthians 8:18-19; 1 Timothy 5:22
They sent them out after they laid their hands on them.
If you go out from the church right God will bless you.
If you put your hands on someone that is not qualified for the ministry you are putting your hand on their sin.
Do that which is right in the church.
Before you go out and do something, get the approval of the church.
If you buck the chain of command you are headed for trouble.
- It was a leading church – v. 4
They sent out a group of leaders.
They had troubles, but they walked out of them alive because God’s hand was upon them.
Everything about these men was wrapped about the church.
They were just glad to be in the ministry.
They were profitable because they were under the leadership of the local church.
If you get out of the church you get out from under the power of the church.
The church is important to God because He died for the church. If it wasn’t important, He would not have died for it.