“Why Church”
August 28, 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 Truth.” 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.
“Membership”
Romans 12:3-8 The New Life in Christ
John 15:1-12 The Vine and the Branches
Introduction – Covenant – Participation
* Introduction: The Purpose of the Church
The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40)
(a) _________ & (b) ________________
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)
(c) _______________, (d) ________, (e) _______
“…I will build my (f) ________, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18b)
**Covenant: An Agreement between two parties.
Membership: “…individually we are members one of another.” (Romans 12:5b)
Levels of Membership:
The Universal Church
Renunciation of (g) _____ & the profession of (h) ____
The Connectional Church
Loyal to Christ through the UMC
The Local Church
Faithful Participation
***Participation
Prayers – Talk to God about us
Presence – Hard to participate if you’re not here
Gifts – When to take up and when to put down
Service – As Jesus came as a servant – we too are to serve
Witness – Preach as often as you can – use words only when necessary
The Vine and the Branch (John 15:1-12)
The Vinegrower = God
The Vine = Jesus
The Branches = Christians
Denominations
Churches
You and Me
Memory Verse: “…I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18b)
Closing: (T-Shirt: Stop going to church
(i)________________
Note: All scripture quotes are from the NRSV unless otherwise noted.
(a) Love God, (b) Love your neighbor, (c) Go & Make Disciples, (d) Baptizing, (e) Teaching, (f) church, (g) sin, (h) faith, (i) Be the Church