Essentials: The Church is Not About Me, it's about We

Notes: Essentials: The Church is Not About Me, it's about We
Pastor Adam Eaton
Harvest OC
September 11, 2014
Acts 2

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Today is 9/11 - Pastor Greg is talking about what today means to us. He thinks we as Christians need to fight fire with fire. He says to evangelize to the Muslims in our community. We are in a free country and can speak to them about it.

Next Thursday Don Stewart will be here with Pastor Greg speaking about Bible prophecy.

Pastor Adam is talking about taking the Jr. High group river rafting. How they had to jump in the river and float. Ethan jumped in and decided to float past where they were suppose to. Adam freaked out and thought the worst case scenario was going to happen. Pastor Adam said he was completely worried and freaked out.

Pastor Adam is now talking about, what if everyone felt that way about the church. That we need to get everyone out of the river before they forget killed in the rapids.

Three reasons why the church exist.

1. To Exalt God
Ephesians 1:12 NKJV
[12] that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

At all times we are worshiping God. Worship is not just singing songs to God. 

It is what is most important to you.

It's not if you worship, it's who or what are you worshipping.

We praise God for pulling us out if the deadly river.

2. To edify the saints
Colossians 1:28-29 NKJV
[28] Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. [29] To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

We are to be mature in the word.

We are to build and help one another.

3. Evangelize the wold
Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV
[19] Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

This is our job! 

This is what we are here for.

This is the Great Commission

Matthew 24:13 NKJV
[13] But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:14 NKJV
[14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

It's saying when the great commission has been fulfilled, then Jesus will come back.

What does the church look like;

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.

The early church had the attitude that we must get back too. It's not about me, it's about we.

We as Americans don't like when people tell us what to do. 

Children don't have to be taught the word "mine"

We have brought this individualism into the church. We have made it about me, and not about us.

We absolutely need a personal relationship with Christ.

There is major power in the church when it is all about we. 

We need Bible teaching, we need each other. He Holy Spirit guides us alone, but others can help teach us the true meaning.

Me thinking, let's people think that personal sin, is not affecting others. That hurts others, not just you.

1 Corinthians 5:6 NKJV
[6] Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

Us together moving forward, how do we get there.

1. Commitment to the local church.
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.

Motivate one another!

Like a little brother can irritate you into doing something.

Don't stop going to church.

Be a part of what God is doing all the time. Not just when it is convenient.

2. We need Gospel-centered community.

We need to understand that we are all in this together.

We need small group community. Access and a voice in our lives.

3. Loyalty to the local church
Acts 2:42 NKJV
[42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The early church was seeing it through till the end. They were willing to do these things.

They didn't ditch or leave because of small things.

Too many people church hop....always looking for the right church for "me"

Be loyal to the church and the people in the church.

The people sitting next to you are the ones that will be there when the bottom drops out on you.

Pastor Adam said about 5 years ago, his ex-wife divorced him. It was the church that was there for him. 

9/11 was a horrible day for everyone, it was also a day the church shined for all the people.

Christian community is an amazing thing. Not just your church, but the global church. We have Christ in common.

This Christian community is hard work. We are with people that at best, annoy us a little. We have to get past that.

We can complain about everything, music, sound, smell, each other, looks, it's all an excuse to complain.

Here is what matters; Christ has saved us and we are called to go and help save others.

We are here to help pull each other out of that river that leads to death and destruction.

Even when people treat that river like a lazy river, and they are floating right down it. They need to be saved too!

Will you help try to save them all?