“Why Church”
September 4, 2011
A five week series on “Why Church” or “What is the Purpose of Church” This is based in part on Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Church.” We will use the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as we look at different aspects of being the church. We will consider “5 Ms”: Membership, Magnify, Maturity, Ministry, and Mission.
“Magnify”
Exodus 20:1-6 The Ten Commandments
Luke 1:46-55 Mary’s Song
Magnify – Worship – Magnify
The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) Love God & Love your neighbor
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) Go & Make Disciples, Baptizing, Teaching
* Magnify:
As a child – Did you ever play with a magnifying glass?
Purpose of Church: (see above)
What is the purpose of a magnifying glass? (Kid’s viewpoint)
- Make things look (a) _________ than they are
- To focus (b) _________
Question: How do we make God look bigger?
Answer: How not to do it - First King of Israel - Saul
“Has the Lord as (c)______ delight in burnt offerings & sacrifices, as in (d) _________ to the voice of the Lord?” (1 Samuel 15:22)
Answer: How to do it
Mary: My soul (e) ___________ the Lord and my spirit
(f) ___________ in God my savior. (Luke 1:46-47)
John the Baptist: I baptize with water; but one who is more (g) _______ than I is coming; I am not (h) _______ to until the thongs of his sandles. (Luke 3:16)
**Worship:
Worship = (i) __________
“Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of (j) ____________” (Exodus 20:1-2)
Psalm 136: 26 verses each ends with
“for his steadfast love (k) _________ forever” (NRSV)
“His love (l) _________ _______” (TMSG)
***Magnify
Jesus: You will do greater works than these. (John 14:12)
Memory Verse: “And (m) _____ said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior’”
(Luke 1:46-47)
Closing: First Base First
(The Tennessean 9-29-00; submitted by Rubel Shelly; Nashville, TN)
Magnify the Lord & He will magnify you for His work
(See 2 Timothy 3:16 & 17 – proficient for every good work)
Note: All scripture quotes are from the NRSV unless otherwise noted.
(a) bigger, (b) power, (c) great, (d) obedience, (e) magnifies,
(f) rejoices, (g) powerful, (h) worthy, (i) Worthship, (j) slavery,
(k) endures, (l) never quits, (m) (YOUR NAME)