WHERE DO WE GROW FROM HERE? PART 1
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or to be used for a sermon group discussion. CLICK HERE to find a discussion group. Enjoy!
Sermon Title: The Church, We Worship God & We Grow Together
Main Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22; Isaiah 45:5; Romans 12:1-2; Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
We started our new series and it’s unique in that it has a dual purpose. Pastor Ryan is showing us where we can grow individually in our journey with God, but ultimately it’s how we, THE church, the body of Christ, grow, as well. We’re learning that practicing these spiritual truths and habits helps us grow and go in the right direction with God. This is also where Calvary seeks to grow and go as a church in our community.
This week we learned in particular how Calvary views itself as the body of Christ and much more than a building of brick and mortar. Every believer makes up the temple of the Lord, we are the housing or dwelling of God’s presence. This means we worship and represent God wherever we are and before we attend a weekend service. We learned that a core value at Calvary is We Worship God and no one else, not even ourselves. We learned that worship is a lifestyle and singing songs. Then Pastor Ryan shared the next core value, We Come Together/ Calvary is all about being together for Biblical fellowship. We were taught that it’s not for the sake of saying we came together in the same room, but that when we come together we’re supposed to motivate and encourage one another towards, love, good works, and living like Jesus. We believe it’s important to have close, quality time together. As scripture says, Iron sharpens Iron, but that only happens when the two come in real contact with each other. Pastor Ryan ended the message by having us imagine what weekend services would be like if we lived these two values out before coming together on Sundays.
Notes:
WHERE DO WE GROW FROM HERE?
I learned something valuable over the years: I can’t go where God is leading if I don’t grow where it's needed. God requires growth in character and faith so we can handle His purpose and plans for our lives. The same goes for our church. Our impact can only go as far as our spiritual growth allows. Where we grow and where we need to go work together in the Christian life. As we follow God’s Word we grow and then we go in the right direction. The same goes for the church. As we each grow (not just independently, but dependently) the church as a whole grows and expands spiritually and numerically, preferably in that order. (Blocks illustration)
WHAT IS CHURCH? What does it mean to be a part of a church? Let’s grow in our view of the church
How you define church determines the way you live and engage in your church.
Story: Around 4 years ago, I was in a coffee shop doing some sermon prep. Two ladies came in appearing to have a serious meeting right behind me. The topic was on why one of them is leaving their church and it was because she had found another church. This happens and sometimes it is for good reasons, but what concerned me was her reason. She didn’t like how her pastor was teaching that she needed to study and know the Word so they could disciple others. I’m sitting there going, “Sounds like my kind of pastor!” She specifically said, “that’s his job and what he’s supposed to do for me.” She meant it like that for her whole life, not just on Sundays. I was thinking of so many scriptures that teach the opposite. But then it clicked, this is what would happen if she doesn’t read her Bible. She didn’t realize her pastor was right because she didn’t know scripture. She spoke out of ignorance. The conversation turned to gossip and church bashing. Being a pastor, it was hurtful to hear. I decided to pull out my headphones and listen to music. They never noticed I was there with my Bible open and finished their conversation like no one else was in the coffee shop.
How you define church determines the way you live and engage in your church.
The New Testament commonly uses the word church, but in Greek, it is Ekklesia which means “a called-out assembly or congregation.” When used in the New Testament the Ekklesia refers to an assembly or community of people not brick, mortar, or worship service on Sunday mornings.
Ephesians 2:19-22 19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
What are the implications?
We are the church, the holy, living temple, and dwelling of God on earth.
We are carefully joined TOGETHER in Him, in the body of Christ, and Jesus is the head (Ephesians 1:22-23). We, the church, are connected to God and to one another through salvation and baptism in Christ.
Our honor, obedience, worship, and relationship with God begin at home in private and continue wherever we are in public.
The church is not confined to four walls because neither is God’s worth, glory, love, mission, or His people.
God’s Kingdom on earth advances through the Church, the fellowship of believers and disciples of Christ.
We have an important place and role in the church to contribute to the health and advancement of the Church of Jesus Christ here on earth. This means as a Pastor, I am responsible for helping you know and equip you and you’re responsible for owning and executing your role. Together, we effectively contribute to the mission. (Ephesians 4:11-16 (More on this later).
That’s who we are, so where do we grow and what do we do as a church so we accomplish our mission for God?
We Worship God
Isaiah 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me.
Worship is to give one’s whole self, heart, life, and praise. Our strong conviction is there is only one true God that deserves all of our worship. This means we certainly don’t worship or live for ourselves. We live in a society that endorses a hyper-focus on bringing attention and living for self. The church of Jesus is believers and disciples who live to worship God and give our lives to fulfill His desires (2 Cor. 5:15). Glory and worship weren’t meant for mankind it was meant for God. We can't handle the weight of worship and glory because it can make us proud when we receive it or fall apart when we are rejected. God’s perfect nature and supreme role in existence call for worship and glory. And God can handle the rejection when it doesn’t.
This also means that how we worship in private and together on Sundays matters. Our desire isn’t to bring attention to ourselves in how we worship, even dress, or conduct ourselves. This doesn’t mean we suppress genuine expressions of various kinds. God knows our hearts and if it’s for Him then it’s true worship in spirit and in truth.
Romans 12:1-2 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Worship is a lifestyle. In view of God’s mercy, we offer every part of our lives to Him.
1 John 2:6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
We are authentic worshippers when we aim to be like Jesus in everything we do!
We don’t copy the behaviors or customs of this world. We follow Jesus and we follow God’s Word because it renews our hearts and thinking, and teaches us God’s will so we know how to live.
We don’t change the Bible to be who we want, we let the Bible shape us into the life God wants.
Psalm 96:1-4 Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! 2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. 3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. 4 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods.
Singing praises and worship through song is a way we practice giving God glory. When we come together to sing and declare who God is and what He has done it serves as a reminder that we are all one in Him.
We Grow Together
Acts 2:42-47
This is a Biblical fellowship, a Biblical church. Look at what they did together and look at where they met together. It wasn’t just at the temple but it was in their homes. Look what happens when we’re devoted to meeting together.
The last verse says, “And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” God draws people to a church where He knows they are going to care for His children. A church devoted to one another, to the teaching of scripture, to worship, to prayer, to sharing, to generosity, and to the mission with powerful signs and wonders…Yes, God sees that kind of church and knows this church is where my new child of God will grow and be made into a disciple!
Hebrews 10:24-25 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 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.
Churches typically drive home verse 25 and the challenge to not miss church and I agree but the context defines even more of what it means to come together as the church.
We’re not just called to be around each other, we’re called to motivate, to spur, and to encourage one another towards love and good works. This means we need more face-to-face, personal, and quality time when we meet. This wasn’t completely fulfilled or obeyed on Sunday mornings, but throughout the week when they gathered in their homes.
As scripture says, Iron sharpens Iron, but that only happens when the two come in real contact with each other.
This scripture also implies that we have a relationship with God on our own and so when we come together we have Christ-like fruit, and testimonies from obedience that would motivate, spur, and inspire one another!
Colossians 3:16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Are we meeting with other believers to encourage and be encouraged? To motivate and be motivated? To love and be loved? Are we inspiring other believers to follow and obey Jesus?
This is why Calvary is working hard to see our group’s ministry grow and why our TOGETHER training on Wednesday nights is crucial to our church. We want to be obedient to God’s Word.
Once again, How you define church determines the way you live and engage in your church.
Can you imagine what Sunday mornings, small groups, and various ministries will be like if we all continue to grow in our worship of God throughout the week? If we grow in our devotion to being together to worship and encourage one another? Let’s grow in our worship of God, our prayer, our study, and our obedience to the Bible. So when we come together we will be the church Jesus Christ died for. Are we perfect? Will we have our weeks where we are in need of help and encouragement? Absolutely, so be authentic, honest, and transparent about it. No judgment or shame here, just the church that is ready to encourage, help, and motivate you.
This is what it means to be a part of Calvary Church. We worship God and we come together to build each other up in Christ. Grow in these areas this year and you, your family, this church, and this community will be blessed by God!
Discussion
What scripture or point stuck out to you during the sermon?
Why is it so important that we define the word “church” and understand what it means?
Why is worshipping God and growing in our worship important for believers and Calvary?
Why is coming together and growing in our commitment to come together so important for believers and Calvary?
Lastly, where are you in your personal worship of God and what can or are you doing to strengthen it?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed we encourage you to say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I see my sin and how wrong it is. I see how without Jesus I’m lost. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me from my sin, my past, this world, and your judgment. I repent, I turn away from that life and I put my faith and life in Jesus! Amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!