A fresh look at the church
Revelation 2:1-7 (Acts 19:1-41; 20:13-38)
A BLESSED CHURCH (vv1-2a; Acts 19:1-41; 20:13-38)
A great location
A rich history
An active Saviour
A GOOD CHURCH (vv2-3 6)
Busy in service
Patient in suffering
Orthodox in belief
A SAD CHURCH (v4)
The tone of Christ ‘s complaint
The truth of Christ ‘s complaint
A CHALLENGED CHURCH (vv5-7)
Remember
Repent
Repeat
(Hebrews 10:19-25)
OUR AMAZING PRIVILEGES (VV19-21)
We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place
We have a great priest
OUR CONSEQUENT RESPONSIBILITIES (VV22-25)
Let us draw near to God
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing but encouraging one another
Prov 3:9-10; Mal 3:6-12; Matt 6:19-24; 19:16-30; Lk 16:1-15; 1 Cor 16:1-4; 2 Cor 8-9; Phil 4:10-20; 1 Tim 6:6-10 17-19
WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS GIVE?
HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS GIVE?
HOW MUCH SHOULD CHRISTIANS GIVE?
WHERE SHOULD CHRISTIANS GIVE?
Matt 18:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 5:12-13; 2 Cor 2:6; 1 Thess 5:12-13; Heb 13:7 17; 1 Pet 5:1-4
1. THE PROOF OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
(Does the Bible teach church membership?)
2. THE PICTURES OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
(Do the images of the church in the Bible teach church membership?)
3. THE PRACTICES OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
(What responsibilities do church members have?)
4. THE PRIVILEGES OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
(What can church members expect to receive from the church?)
5. THE PROCEDURE OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
(How do I become a member of RUC?)
1 Corinthians 10:14-22; 11:23-32; Matt 26:17-30
LOOK BACKWARDS AND REMEMBER
LOOK INWARD AND REPENT
LOOK UPWARD AND RECEIVE
LOOK AROUND AND RECOGNIZE
LOOK FORWARD AND REJOICE
REfresh- a fresh look at the church.
REveal- a fresh look at baptism
1. Baptism REVEALS our faith in Christ
2. Baptism REVEALS our cleansing from sin
3. Baptism REVEALS our union with Christ in his death burial and resurrection
4. Baptism REVEALS our union with the body of Christ the church
5. Baptism REVEALS our commitment to follow Christ in a life of obedience