Sermon Notes

Get a Dream for Your Church

10.14.7

 

What is the church…..

          Calvin, Luther –

Where the Word of God was taught and the 2 sacraments were administered properly.

 

Church means called out ones.

Some other phrases used:

 People of God, Bride of Christ, Body of Christ.

 

The doctrine of the church is too exhaustive to be summed up in 1 day.

                   So I won’t even attempt it.

 

Churches exist to worship the Lord.

                   --- there are many ways that is expressed.

 

I want to cover some of the functions of the local church.

Ephesians 4

(before reading) being a part of local church is the immediate criteria

                                                                                      for credibility.

          --- had many people: TV ministry, I do things differently…. Etc.

                   Take a break if need to, but local church is essential for

                   our growth and development.

 

Ephesians 4:11-16

          Where does God place these different functioning gifts?

                                      ---- in the church.

Where will they be used at it’s fullest….. functioning through the church.

 

          One of the purposes of the church is spelled out here.

          “…and become mature”

 

Allow me to stretch this word just a little bit…..

          Mature means to bring about it’s end, completion.

          The verb – maturing – working to that end.

                   Much like the word – Prospering – to advance, help along.

 

i.e. you can’t reach the fullness of Christ, being mature…..etc. without

                                                                                      the local church.

 

          Spiritual gifts are used….

          Teaching,

          Prayer

          Coming under authority.

          Being part of “mobilization” to help reach the world.

Different avenues of personal growth – challenges, stretching self,

                                      brother friction and sister sand paper….

 

 

The local church is important.

It is part of our life…. We need see it as part of our daily lives.

 

 

Why talking about dreams and church ?

God’s instrument for touching to world, making sure His work is still going on…… church.

How does that happen – people!

 

I asked you last week to get a dream, desire, declare….

We all have dreams – different answers for prayer…

Think a little bigger, how is it that God is going to use you in the future……

 

In some way, most of the dreams that people have are connected to a local church.

         

We must be able to make this connection.

God is calling us to be under some kind of authority….

Not to hinder, hold back, or for someone to take possession of your dream

But to help bring it to place where it can be incorporated into the life of the church, the vision of the church.

 

God wants us to come under authority of the church, not to stifle our dreams, but to open up doors of greatness and opportunity.

Ex – Rich Mullins

 

Success is tied to those you connect yourself with.

 

 

 

 

Church – a place where mutual dream must be shared and reached.

My goal – you see your dream come to pass.

Your goal – see the church’s dream come to pass.

 

Together ----- great success.

 

This morning – get a dream for your church.

Desire it  - make it part of your prayer life.

                   Be determined.

Declare it.

 

Our property ---dream desire declare.

On thing that keeps us from doing more is our physical limitations.

-         a few ideas:

o       café

o       children’s playgrounds

o       workout rooms

just a few ideas.

 

What do you see your church doing to impact the lives of people?

Dream it, desire it, declare it.

 

 

Your maturing, success, prospering is attached to the success and prospering of your church.

                   --- your maturing is not limited to your church, but sharing with it

 

It’s a balance – your dreams and the dreams of your church working together to have great success.