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by Senior Pastor Denis Beausejour
Series: HEALTHY FAMILIES IN HECTIC TIMES
Message: A Healthy Church Family
Text: Matthew 16:15-18
Introduction and Series Wrap-up Today is the finale in our series on building healthy families in hectic times. We have gleaned great wisdom together from the Word of God. The testimonies to God’s faithfulness in the lives of our brothers and sisters have been really encouraging. We have seen how life in the power of the Holy Spirit gives victory over sin, death, and the forces of evil deployed around us. Today’s Main Idea: Because we cannot have a healthy family without Jesus, we cannot build a healthy family without being part of a healthy local church. Today’s text: Matthew teaches us four major things about the Church of Jesus Christ:
1. Founded and built by Jesus;
2. Inclusion based on faith in Jesus;
3. Human leadership; and
4. Power to overcome death and evil.
Definition of “church”:
“Church” (Gk. ekklesia) was a common word meaning assembly, which Jesus transformed to mean an assembly of those called by God. Church means a group of people, not a building!
“Church” is used 100+ times in the NT – 3 meanings:
- The Universal church
- A group of churches in a region or city
- An individual local church (including house churches) is key – Hebrews 10:23-25
Scriptural metaphors for describing the Church:
Body of Christ (He the head, we interdependent) – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 4
Family (loving upbringing) – 1 Timothy 5:1-2
Army (power for good, spiritual warfare, vigilance) – Ephesians 6, Revelation 19
Bride of Jesus (intimate and valuable to Jesus) – Ephesians 5
Royal priesthood (holy servants) – 1 Peter 2:5
Growing life: olive tree, crops, a vine, a harvest – Romans 11:17-24, Matthew 13, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Architecture: God’s house, Pillar of truth – Hebrews 3:6, 1 Timothy 3:15
1. Founder and builder – Jesus Christ
The “marks” of the true church revolve around Jesus (the Word of God) Colossians 1:18
- Christ-centered worship, prayer, apprenticeship
- Preaching, teaching and obedience to the truths of Scripture (Orthodox doctrine and purpose)
- Practice of baptism and communion
With these done well, the church will be healthy, with evidence of the love and work of God in people’s lives, and obedience to the Great Commandment and great Commission
2. Inclusion by faith in Jesus
The one true church is not visible: not based on attendance but rather true faith which has resulted in “regeneration” by the Holy Spirit. (aka. “born again”) John 3:7
Interchangeable names for members of the church: Disciples, Brothers (& sisters), Saints
We are urged to meet together, to love one another, to invite others and we are most definitely interdependent: a community giving to one another as need and as able. Ephesians 4:16
3. Human Leaders – apostles, elders/pastors, deacons – to help “build”
1 Peter 5:1-4, Acts 20:28-29 - leadership, service, protection, and discipline
A time of appreciation and prayer for those who serve us as leaders: Staff – Elders and wives
4. Power to overcome – death (evil) will not defeat the church
Matthew 16:19 and Acts 1:8 - power
Evidence of God’s redeeming work
Note from Pastor Denis:
Our Constitution
Our Membership Policy
Our Way of LifeToday’s professions of faith and baptisms are a joy and an encouragement as they manifest the faithful presence and work of Christ. So are these decisions of many to join this local church body in a common purpose. The Membership Policy of the church is as follows:
Membership is open to those who have received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and completed the requirements described below. Note, these requirements are subject to change from time to time, so that current members may from time to time be asked to read and affirm new items as determined by the Elders.
A. New members will:
1. Complete MCC 101: Introduction to Mariemont Community Church
2. Read and agree to follow our Constitution (including our Statement of Faith), our Vision and Mission, and Our Way of Life.
3. Meet with their elder to discuss and handle any questions
B. Current members will:
1. Retain membership by reading and agreeing to follow our Constitution (including our Statement of Faith), our Vision and Mission, and Our Way of Life.
Current members will soon receive by mail all the information needed to indicate their desire to retain their membership. |
