Why You Need the Church and the Church Needs You!

Notes: Why You Need the Church and the Church Needs You!

Acts 2

Pastor Greg Laurie

MUSICAL GUEST: Dominic Balli

SERIES: What Every Growing Christian Needs to Know

Thursday, October 1, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

If you are not growing as a Christian then you are going backwards. You are getting stronger or you are getting weaker.

There was a weight trainer that gained 70 lbs so that he could better relate with his clients. He found it exhilarating at first, but then he started to feel the effects. Greg said that is like a back slider.

Proverbs 14:14 NKJV

[14] The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.

Joshua 1:8 NKJV

[8] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

A Bible that is falling apart is a good indicator of the owners life that isn't falling apart.

We must have a prayer life. To pray about everything and anything.

1 Kings 18:15 NKJV

[15] Then Elijah said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today."

If you can kneel before God, then you can stand before any man.

You need to be a part of the church and serving.

You need the church and the church needs you.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV

[24] And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

1 John 3:14 NKJV

[14] We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

1 John 2:19 NKJV

[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

The closer you are to God, the closer you want to be to His people.

Are you more comfortable being around believers or nonbelievers?

Church is not a movie theater. Church is a family. The church is not all about you.

It is a state of spiritual maturity when you don't want to be the person that is served, but the person that serves.

Why does the church exist?

The glorification of God, the edification of the saints, and to evangelize the world.

Where do you find the things you need in your life? What better place to find the things you need than in the church!

The church is the place you get what you need.

People with faith heal faster, have lower blood pressure, and are less depressed.

Acts 2:42-47 NKJV

[42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. [43] Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. [44] Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, [45] and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. [46] So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

This church was W.E.L.L.

Worshiping, evangelistic, learning and loving.

1. W - They were a worshipping church.

Worship is not a warm up act, it is prayer set to song,

Psalm 106:1 NKJV

[1] Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Revelation 15:2-3 NKJV

[2] And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. [3] They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!

God doesn't care what your pitch is or your key, He looks at your heart when you sing worship.

Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

[15] Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Job worshipped when he lost everything.

Worship can be a witness:

Acts 2:47 NKJV

[47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Paul and Silas worshipped while they were imprisoned and the others listened to them.

You are a witness to others in church that are visiting just as much as the pastor.

Worship is a wonderful way to get things into perspective.

Praising the greatness of God is a great way to get things into perspective.

Psalm 73:16-18 NKJV

[16] When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me- [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. [18] Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.

2. E - They were an evangelistic church.

A growing church is a healthy church.

3. L - They were a Learning church.

We need to study the word of God at the church and together.

We need to be in the church.

The Bible needs to be a part of your life.

Acts 2:42 NKJV

[42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

"Continued Steadfastly" we need appointed speakers, but we also need appointed listeners.

You listen differently when your life depends on it. Your life does depend on listening to the word of God.

4. L - They were a Loving church.

Malachi 3:16 NKJV

[16] Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.

God likes to eavesdrop on our prayers.

Church is not a classroom, it is a place to learn and love.

When you find yourself out of fellowship with others in the church, you find yourself out of fellowship with God.

I am to judge and you are to judge fellow Christians. Accountability is a part that happens in church.

You need to have a place you belong.

We need to get to the place where we enjoy serving.

Romans 12:4-10 NKJV

[4] For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, [5] so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. [6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; [7] or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; [8] he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. [9] Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. [10] Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Volunteer for everything and find out what you are good at. The process of elimination is effective.

If you are called to serve, then serve well.

When you honor others, the Lord will honor you.