Psalm 127 : 1-5
Text : v.1a
Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted
Introduction:
We praise God for 2017 Mothers' Day celebration, Christian Home Week Revivals , and the impactful Couples Day celebration yesterday
Thanks to you all that attended these programs
Jesus said, "if you know these things, are you if you do them
The emphasis is on Doing
Luckily or coincidentally , there is children's service here for us today in preparation for the forth coming Children's Day this Saturday
FROM OUR TEXT
This is a serious assertion , "unless... "
Among others , this is saying that:
1. It is the Lord that builds House/Home
2. If it is not built by the Lord , our efforts are futile
3. We must allow the Lord to build the House/ Home
Remember, one character of building is , it must be according to pattern
BIBLICAL PATTERN:
Someone observed that the home must be built according to the Word of God , based on faith, love and unity.
He said :
Unity for believers must begin at the level of the family before it can truly characterize the Church. God created families long before He created the Church. He gave many specific instructions to families with the intent of unifying husbands and wives and children into a unit that would honor and reverence Him. His expectations were specific and straightforward whether in the Old Testament or the New: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5). "[Jesus] answered: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’" (Luke 10:27).
Furthermorehe said:
Can you imagine how quickly God’s kingdom would grow if the Church was comprised of unified families obediently carrying out the Great Commandme and the Great Commission? If each individual family member, and each relationship represented within each family, would determine to live in unity, and if we were all committed to loving the Lord with a desperate passion, and to loving others as Jesus loves us…perhaps then, a watching world would be drawn to the Father. A family should and must begin with unity –connection, identity, building up of one another, etc. God has given much instruction to parents and to children about their relationships within their families. Only in unity are we able to carry out these relationships successfully, and in ways that are pleasing to the Lord. In order for unbelievers to truly know the love of Christ, they must see it in the unified, loving families that comprise Jesus’ Church.
From the above , can we posit that our home is not what God wants it to be because we have not followed God's own pattern
BUILDING BY UNITY
Husband and the wife must each and both unite in the Lord , by conversion
They must both desire to please the Lord
They must have the same focus of building a home for God and His glory
They must be united in the raising and nurturing of their children, v.4
UNDERSTANDING OF TIMES
The fact remains that some couples still have relational, or adjustment challenges , thereby discouraging him to move forward
Also it is a founded fact that many of us have not given our home what it requires of us to be called the house of God.
Could we consider very seriously what Jesus commented about human ( our ) heart? Read Matt 19:8 "... Your hearts are hard
Can the Lord build us with the hardness of heart?
Can we just pray here sincerely that God should finish His will in our life
Romans 8:18-25; 31-38
Text: vs 38 & 39
Read the text
Introduction:
Today we share some summary thoughts on the year theme that we've been sharing since the year began . Much was shared at the just concluded Session of the NBC
Special thanks to our preachers last week on the topic , BECOMING AN OVERCOMER THROUGH CHRIST
Today we dwell a little on that as we share some principles that are very pertinent to our overcoming our challenges.
From our text , Paul's own conviction is proudly or convincingly stated - nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus
The bottom line is that the basis of of our overcoming is the very assurance that each person is genuinely redeemed
From the opening passage today, Paul observed: v. 18
Hence we settle down with the following principles in order to be constantly overcoming
Principle 1. Presently there are sufferings, but later, there is a glory tobe revealed. V. 18
The world we live in is full of suffering - all kinds of sickness, pains of all kinds, misery, disappointment in different ways by different persons, poverty , mistreatment, sorrow , persecutions , ant trouble , almost everywhere
Principle 2. The whole nature too is in bondage and expecting liberation from God's children, vs 19- 23
Due to the sufferings of nature , we are groaning , the nature too is groaning for us , awaiting the manifestation go God's children
Principle 3. A sincere child of God keeps on hoping in the Lord
Sometime we pray and we believe we have received the answer only to see us grumbling at some level. The most important thing is that we must continue to trust in the Lord, remembering that God is faithful and will do what He says He will do
Principle 4. Even , in the face of the toughest situation , a child of God is never abandoned, vs 28-30
Principle 5. Circumstances of life , though tough, are always stepping stone to glory for a sincere and redeemed child of God , vs 31-38
THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER
The world we live in is full of troubles, you are passing through one now, possibly
God, by His Word has provided solution for every challenge( 2 Peter 1:3 )
A true child of God will seek God's mind on whatever solution he proffers or prefers.
No life challenge is strong enough to remove us from the presence of God or Fellowship of believers
Conclusion:
Where are you today?
Are you genuinely redeemed?
What are you doing now to your challenge currently ?
Can you confidently say you seek God's approval ?
Basic fact, a child of God does not sin because of his/her challenges
Rather, he/she takes them all to the Lord in Prayers
Then, seeks counsel
Will you pause now and hand over those challenges to your Heavenly Father and leave them there ?
May we pray, please
1Samuel 19 : 18-24; Psalm 86
Text : Acts 13:22 “After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.‘
Introductory
Was David righteous?
Was David sinless or perfect?
Was David a super man ?
Was David right all of the times ?
When we think of David, we see a shepherd, poet,giant-killer, and an ancestor of Jesus Christ.
We see a great king or one of the greatest kings in the Old Testament.
But on the other hand, in David we find a betrayer, liar,adulterer and a murderer.
The Bible did not hide David's failures and errors , yet he is remembered and respected for his heart for God
This form a serious basis for us , too , today to seek God Inspite of our failures and weaknesses.
The following words describe the heart of David as seen in his own writings:
Humble – Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Psalm 62:9
Reverent – I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3
Respectful – Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. Psalm 31:9
Trusting and Confident in the Lord – The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Loving – I love you, O Lord, my strength. Psalm 18:1
Devoted – You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. Psalm 4:7
Appreciative - I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. Psalm 9:1
Faithful – Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6
Obedient – Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Psalm 119:34
Repentant – For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Psalm 25:1-
Conclusion:
David’s example is a great road map for how we are to live our life, if it will be said of us too that we are men and women after God's own heart
Which of these areas need your greatest attention for improvement?
Do you cover your own sins?
Are you broken by the Word or Message of God?
Do you revere God ?
If David is known to have a heart for God , it can be said of you and me , provided...
Galatians 5:16-26
Introduction:
We have established that life is full of challenges
Ability to cope is not only dependent on physical attributes
Without God's Spirit leading and directing , we cannot cope well
Today the Holy Spirit is ready and willing to help as man
The Truth Of the Matter Is:
1. The believer is to bear God's nature, v. 22-23
2. The believer is to bear a crucified flesh, v. 24
3. The believer is to walk consistently with his position in Christ, v. 25
4. The believer is to be free from selfishness , super-superiority, envy, v.26
Therefore as we talk of we handle and overcome our challenges , let us look at the tools the Holy Spirit made available for us
By Way Of Reminder :
The Holy Spirit bears the following Fruit in us to helps overcome :
1. Love: Caring and seeking for the highest good of another person without motive for personal gain. ( 1 Cor 13 )
2. Joy : The feeling of gladness based on love, belonging to those who belong to Christ ( 2 Cor 6:10 ) , also reflecting in the way we relate with one another "making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."
3. Peace : the quietness of heart and mind that all is well between a believer and God as well as his neighbour
Heb 12:14Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord
4. Longsuffering ( Patience ): Endurance , patience, being slow to anger , especially in relating with people.
2 Tim 3:10 But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, 11 persecutions, sufferings. What things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
5. Gentleness ( Kindness ): Not wanting to hurt someone or give him or her pain
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;
6. Goodness: Hatred for evil, being expressed in acts of kindness, or in rebuking and correcting evil
Romans 12:10 In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;
7. Faith : Faithfulness, firm and unswerving loyalty and adherence to a person to whom one is united by promise, commitment, trustworthiness, and honesty
8. Meekness ( Gentleness): this describes a person who can be when anger is needed, and humbly submissive when submission is needed
9. Temperance : Having control or mastery over one's own desires and passion, including faithfulness to one's marriage vows
Conclusion:
Do you know that the true test of any believer is the presence and manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit?
Do you also know that without the Fruit of the Spirit our relationship will be very sour?
Do you know too that you can be a soul winner best by the display and operation of the Fruit?
Will you then be willing to repent of where and how you have disappointed God in the way you handle people?
Can you resolve to go out of here today to make life pleasant for somebody ?
Cry to the Holy Spirit to release His anointing on you. Do it even now , please .
Luke 1:8-20
Text: v. 8 Read it
How interesting to note that the same thing men of God pray for people upon, they too have the same experience or pass through the same situation
Such is the story of this priestly-couple
Meaning what?
That we are children of God does not exempt us from the same difficulties of life , only graces of God remain sufficient
That we are even workers or servants in the household of faith is not necessarily an immunity against lacks, sickness, or even anything unexpected
That we are workers or servant of God does no mean we will not die
In our passage today is the story of a couple on account of whom it was said, "both of them were righteous in the sight of God"
Yes, as said in a similar message before, "the rich also cry"
Hard times means different things to different people.
For some, it is unanswered prayer hitherto
For some it is recurrent failure or lingering success
For stone it may be a challenging sickness
Yet for others it is , or may be , delayed expectation .
Etc
The man in our passage was serving God whole-heartedly despite the fact that he and his wife had no children and they were both very old, v. 7
Further example of people serving God despite their own hard times:
1. Ruth, Ruth 2:1-3;
2. Heroes of faith, Heb 11:32-end
3. Apostles , Acts 4:15ff, note v. 24ff
4. The Macedonian Christians , 2Cor. 8:1-5
For some , difficult times and experiences may lead them to leave fellowship of brethren , for some they abandon their duty post , for some ,mthey may even abandon faith in Christ .
For such , the words of Apostle John may come true, read 1John2:19
Why would we continue to serve the Lord despite hard times?
Jesus Christ , our Lord gave us example, read Heb12:2
Are you conscious of any joy ahead?
To Continue To Serve Your Lord In Hard Times :
Check your foundation in Him very well
Commitment to His cause at all cost, Lk 9:23-25
Obedience to His Word
Faithfulness in duty discharge
Discipline to manage and then share, 2 Cor. 9: 11-13
Focus more on what is important and of eternal value
Practice practical love for brethren, I mean brethren in the Lord
Pray in the Spirit always for strength and wisdom
CONCLUSION:
How are you sir/ma ?
Sincere or pretending ?
Remember , man looks on the outward, God sees the inner man - heart
We're everybody to serve the Lord like you do, how do you think ?
Pray now for grace, it's available to those who ask for it
2 Samuel 24:18-24
Introduction:
Indeed , David was a man after God's heart ( 1Sam 13 :13-14; Acts 13:22)
When a man is after God's heart he posses a heart for God
With a heart for God, he becomes humble; he's teachable and mendable ; he is ready to change; he is ready to go extra mile for peace sake, etc
From Our Story:
Calamity came when David counted the fighting men of Israel ( 800,000 ) and in Judah ( 500,000) able-bodied men
When David was shown his error, he quickly admitted ( v. 10 )
When his folly attracted punishment , his attitude was humbling , ( v. 10-14 )
Note his words , "let us fall into the hands of the Lord "
Note also v. 17, "I have sinned, I. . .have done wrong"
To this end there is the need to build an Altar to prevent further calamity , especially after seventy thousand men had been slain
Although this threshing floor for the Altar was going to be offered free to King David because he was king, he was not going to build an Altar for God with material that will cost him nothing.
The question again , What has your decision, commitment, office, position , service, etc cost you
COST in this contest means what you give up
A popular saying is " wise is that person who knows what he cannot keep for what he cannot lose" . That is cost
It costs Moses Palace to deliver the Israelites ( Exodus 2: 11-17 )
Noted v. 15 , "but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went ..."
It costs Joseph life of luxury in Potiphar's house to flee for his dear life (Gen 39:1-11 ) .
Note the words, "...but he left his cloak in her had and ran out ... " v.12
It costs Jesus Christ , our Saviour His very life to make us redeemed saints (John 15:13; 2 Cor 5: 21)
It costs the Macedonian churches their lives to be generous as Paul required
(2Cor 8: 1-4 )
Conclusion:
Today, it's costing some people their lives to preach the Gospel
What has your Christian life cost you?
David would never offer anything to God that cost him nothing
What has your resolve to follow Jesus at all cost cost you ?
What has you following Christ cost you?
What has your Giving to God cost you?
What has your being a blessing to others cost you, in recent times ?
What has your faithfulness cost you in this crooked age?
What has your path of integrity cost you ?
Our Church Ministries Today:
Calls for mor self-denial
Calls for more counting the cost
Calls for faithfulness to the cause/course of Christ
There is a simple principle here :
Every of our services to God must lead us to feel some pinch we may not be able to bear or share
Christianity today and wholistic ministering to people outside the church shows to us that we cannot offer service to God which costs us nothing.
What has your commitment to Christ cost you lately
What will you hold on to , or what will you prefer the Lord spare you with and upon .
Happy nutrients
John 15 : 1-10
Text: Vs 8 , 16
Introduction:
Thanks to our BSF for their activities since Monday
Special thanks to you all that encouraged them with your presence
Thanks also to the Students Welfare Committee of our Church
Can I also remind all of us of our "CCMP" scholarship purse
Keep on serving God in this areas ; it has reward
Our Meditation Today:
1. V.8 Glorifying the Father
Matt 5:16: let your light shine...
Phil 1:11 be filled with the fruit of righteousness ...
Note that it is in fruit bearing that we are regarded as Jesus' disciples
This is a serious matter for us to consider here , please
2. V. 16 you have not chosen me...
Yes, appointed for a purpose
Note also the word "ordained" in the KJV edition
(commissioned , set aside, anointed)
Do you realize this?
If you do you will do everything within your power to fulfill the reason for your redemption and appointment
Is it not interesting that answers to our prayers are hinged on this assignment being carried out
Want your prayers answered?
Bear fruits
Foundation: Gal 5: 22; Eph 5:9 ( spiritual fruit)
Fruit of souls:
Proverbs 11:30
1Cor 9:19
James 5:20
This is what we are appointed to do
Looking around, you 'll see that truly there is need to win souls
- Ignorance still abounds
- persecution is on the increase
- the coming of the Lord is imminent
Conclusion:
Being unfruitful is an indication of:
- unconscious of our position
- being lackadaisical
- being occupied with "other" things"
- unconscious of the gravity of "lost ness" of sinners
Occupy your place today and multiply yourself
IN THE LIGHT OF THIS
Romans 13: 8-14
INTRODUCTION:
In the light of what? The fact that:
That life is transient
That we are not here for ever
That the world system is affecting Christians and the church
That the church is dancing to the music of the world
That God will not alter His word because of an individual or nation
That we are not here for ever
That we all owe a death debt
That we do not know when that will be
That our hypocrisy and inconsistency can malign the Gospel we are to promote and proclaim
That , according to the G O of the RCCG, "at the appearing ( second coming ) of the Lord, so many people in the church today will not be raptured
WHAT ARE WE TO DO IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THIS?
Our Passage Today
1 . Let no debt remain outstanding, v. 8
2 . Obey the same commandments of old , v. 9
3. Put on ( Christ's own type of ) love, v. 9
4. Harm no one in any way , v. 9
5. Be conscious of the time we are in, v. 11
6. Put aside every work of darkness , v. 12
7. Behave decently , v. 13 ( get rid of all forms of immorality)
CONCLUSION
Put on Christ Jesus
Do not gratify the desires of the flesh, although its cravings may be louder and pressing
Remember, you will not be like you are now, for ever
Renew your commitment to the Lord
Live within ( not outside ) His will .
The Lord is at hand
Pray now for Grace to be in , and do God's will
Rev. 2:1-5; Phil 2:12-13
INTRODUCTION
Our salvation is by God's grace
Our service is a privilege
The right way to renew is the point of relationship
This we saw in our last message (the prodigal wrong and right steps)
Up till today God is still calling us to Himself in repentance
This is the way of right ministry that has to do with God.
FROM OUR TEXT
Rev 2:5; “Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place”.
Phil 2:12 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”.
The Ephesians Church was commended for their first love
Unfortunately they have reneged
Reflection:
What do you think make people renege , or get cold over time?
Comfort
Compromise
Conformity
Convenience
Etc
Hence, encouraged or commanded to:
Remember
Repent
Return
Remove
Note: Failure to do the first three will lead to the fourth
May every grace and opportunity already ours be taken away by our sin and carelessness.
Hence, the serious command to:
Continue in obedience (a lot learnt in our Daily Encounter this week)
Work out our salvation; show practically that we are saved
In fear and trembling
Why?
Only the Lord approves the genuineness of our salvation and work
Our best service/ministry in the name of the Lord stands the test of His mind
"Let him that thinks he stands take heed ....
It is easy to be off-track or fall off.
NEW BEGINNING, RENEWING OUR MINISTRIES
Remember our/your ministry
What is the situation of each as at today?
What are you doing or where are you today?
Think of where you started as a person
OUR EMPHASIS TODAY
Renewal of commitment
Excuse of time
Grace of God unlimited
God's command (Deuteronomy 15:10)”Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to”.
Remember:
Your Lord
Your commitment
God's faithfulness over time
His requirements by His own mercy
No grudging. He knows us and our situations.
But generosity
With a promise, because of this, the Lord your God will BLESS you in EVERYTHING you put your hand to. (emphasis mine)
CONCLUSION
Remember
Repent
Return
Be rewarded
I Chronicles 29: 1 – 10
Text: v. 5 “Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal
treasurers of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything
I have provided for this holy temple:”
Introduction:
The passage about David and the preparations for building the Temple of the Lord
We have said, “What we are is greater and more important than what we do.
Yes, there is a siege against the Church today.
But they are of no effect if not for cooperation of church people, by their:
Conformity
Compromise
Confusion of identity
Selfishness
Greed
Opportunism
Etc.
Regardless of situation, Jesus’ Words, “…my church…the gates of hell shall not overcome”, “light shines and darkness cannot comprehend it” must come to play.
How possible?
When Christians are genuinely serious;
When they are ready to do the Lord’s will
Oh! when they are ready to sacrifice comfort.
In my study I came across this thought by Revd. Bo Dunford… who said someone sent him a post called Satan’s Beatitudes
I am sharing this message particularly because I see this trend with many people in our world today.
Satan’s Beatitudes
Were the devil to write his beatitudes they will look his this:
1. Blessed are they who are too tired and busy to go to church on Sundays and Wednesday, for they are my best workers
2. Blessed are they who are bored with the minister’s mannerisms and mistakes, for they get nothing out of his sermon
3. Blessed is the church member, who expects to be invited to his own church, for he is part of the problem instead of the solution
4. Blessed are they while gossip, for they cause strife and divisions that please me
5. Blessed are thy who are easily offended, for they soon get angry and quit
6. Blessed are they who do not give their tithes and offerings to carry on God’s work, for they are my best workers
7. Blessed are they who profess to love God but hates his brother, for he shall be with me for ever
8. Blessed are the trouble makers, for they shall be called the children of Satan
9. Blessed are the complainers, for I am all ears to them
I do hope some of us are not fulfilling the devil’s desire.
But he came up with 3 Beatitudes based on our passage today and that what we are sharing.
The submission here is that we are being called upon to love our church as God loves it.
How?
1. Sacrificially – Gave His begotten Son for it
2. Unconditionally – Whether pleased with it or not
3. Eternally – God cannot stop loving the church
Dr. Bo Dunford gave the following three beatitudes from this passage.
1. Blessed is the church member who gives his church his loving affection David, an example – I Chr. 29:1 – 5
Had a desire to build a house for God – legitmate, noble, honourable desire.
But God didn’t want David to build the house, rather David’s son, Solomon. David could have got mad and not do anything about it
But David was going to give to build a house of worship that benfi-ted someone else
David was going build a house of worship that he would never attend
David was going to build a home of worship that he would not even live to see
Were David to say “What’s in it for me” he wouldn’t give a dime for it.
For David, the structure is for the Lord. V. 1 – not for any man
It is not what David gave that was impressive as to why he gave v.3. Because he loves God’s house
Do you love the church?
You have no right to say you love God’s church if you are not giving to it and supporting it financially with your tithes and offerings
God does not see what you give; he sees why you give it. And even if you give and give generously if you give for the wrong motives or the wrong reason, God writes zero over your account
Do you give to this church for any other reason than because you love Jesus and His church?
“There is no excuse that God will accept from a church member not to support the church financially that he is a member of or that he regularly attends
When you withhold from the church you withhold from Jesus
When you refuse to help the church you refuse to help Jesus
Illustration – Acts 9:4 (Paul was persecuting Jesus by persecuting the church)
That is:
- Anything you do to hurt the church, you hurt Jesus
- When you don’t support the church, you are not supporting Jesus
- When you don’t give to your church, you are not giving to Jesus
- When you don’t love your church like you ought to, then you don’t love Jesus like you ought to
2. Blessed is the Believer who gives his church his loyal allegiance. Neh. 10:39 “We will not forsake…” It is not excusable for a man to forsake his wife, it is inexcusable for a Christian to forsake his Church. Some forsake their church by not just coming. They just don’t show up’; they have filled the church with their absence.
Even though, we miss them, they don’t miss us. Yet there are some who come to church and still neglect the church. They just come to take up space. The only thing they do contribute is their presence – they don’t give, work, serve, witness, worship, some of them don’t even sing, they just come
Another way we can neglect our church is just simply not caring at all
Many people there are in the church who don’t just care
There is this story told, that I also have heard before, which I am sure, some of you here too, we familiar with.
It is the story of 4 people named:
Everybody
Somebody
Anybody
Nobody
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody can do, but Nobody is doing it
Are you a Somebody who is doing what Everybody thought Anybody could do, but Nobody would have done, if you weren’t doing it? Do you care for your (this) Church?
3. Blessed is the Believer that Gives His Church His lasting attendance – Heb. 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching”
Your church deserves your consistent, constant, continuous attendance and functional participation
It is amazing, reasons and excuses that people give for not coming to church
Some reasons:
- Everytime I went they asked for money
- The people I had to sit with weren’t friendly and didn’t speak to me
- The seat were too hard and was very comfortable
The truth is, don’t look at anybody to come to church
There is never an excuse that God will accept for professing Christian not to go to church
Conclusion:
Now,
Do you love your (this) church enough to give it your loving affection, to give it your loyal allegiance and your lasting attendance?
All of you here today, do you really and honestly love your church?
Hear the testimony of King David.
Ps. 26:8 “Lord, I have loved the habitation of your house, and the place where your
glory dwells”
Ps. 27:4 “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek; that I may dwell in
the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of
the lord, and to inquire in His temple”.
Ps. 84:4 “Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they will still be praising You”
Ps. 122:1 “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD”
To show you love your church, you must do these two things:
1. Work for its unity
Eph. 1: 22 – 23
v. 22. “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything of the church”
23. Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Rm 16:17 “I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and
put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
I Cor. 12: 12 – 14
v.12. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
v. 13. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body- whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
v.14. “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Col. 1: 17 – 20
v.17. “He is before all things and in him all things hold together
v.18 “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy”
v. 19. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.
v. 20. “And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth on things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross”.
I Peter 1:22 “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so
that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
2. Serve in this church (Give this church your whole service)
Acts 6: 1 – 2
v. 1. In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food
v.2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would no be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
Rm 16:1 “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in
Cenchrea
1 Peter 2: 9-10
v.9 “but you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light
v.10. “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy