The DNA of a Godly Church
A Godly Church Follows its Godly Leaders
February 24, 2019 • Collin Monger
Unity within a church is a mark of a Godly church. Leaders in the church are appointed by God to teach and build up the body of Christ. • Divine Possession. Christ is the head of the church. • Divine Placement. The Lord calls, installs, and removes leaders as He sees fit. • Divine Profession. Leaders are called to teach the Word of God. • Divine Purpose. Leaders teach the Word of God to equip the people of the church to build up one another and spread the Good News to the world around them. • Divine Proclamation. God instructs the church to submit to the leaders that He places in the church while leaders are called to give themselves up for the church and love as Christ loves the church. (Verses cited: Gal. 5:15; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 5:23; Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:4; Ps. 100:3; 1 Cor. 12:28; 1 Sam. 9:15-17; 1 Sam. 15:27-28; Jn. 19:10-11; Jn. 21:15-17; Acts 2:42; 2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 15:35; Acts 18:11; Lk. 4:32; 1 Tim. 3:2; 1 Jn. 4:18; Mk. 16:15; Eph. 5:22, 25-28; James 3:1)
A Praying Church II
February 17, 2019 • Collin Monger
Prayer for a believer is paramount; the Lord’s prayer is a model for believers of how to pray. Ask God for provision: In prayer, be content with your circumstances. Ask God to meet your needs instead of your selfish desires. Ask God for Pardon: God’s provision is not dependent on our limitations. Do not insult God’s grace by asking for what has already been provided. Ask God for protection: The Lord lead’s us through adversity to build character and faith. We are called to flee from temptation and to run to our provider. Ask God with an attitude of praise: Regardless of our situation, God is in control and worthy of praise. (Verses Cited: Philippians 4:6, 4:19; Proverbs 10:3; Psalm 23:1; Luke 11:1; 1 Timothy 6:8; Romans 5:8; Matthew 5:3; Galatians 5:1; 1 John 1:9; John 13:10, 15:3; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 15:55; James 1:2-4, 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9; Genesis 3:1; Jude 1:9; Ephesians 6:11; Hebrews 12:1-2a; John 17:15; James 5:13)
A Praying Church
February 10, 2019 • Collin Monger
Jesus gave us a model of prayer in Matthew six, a template for communicating with the Lord. Godly Prayer is regular: Our relationship with God must consist of more than emergency intervention. We must daily spend time in prayer. Godly prayer is reverent: We cannot forget that the one we pray to is the one who created the heavens and the earth. Godly prayer is righteous: When our prayers focus on God’s will our priorities shift and align with God’s character and plan. (Verses Cited: Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:13; James 1:13; Luke 11:2-4; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Exodus 20:7; Hebrews 12:28; Colossians 1:17; Psalm 50:10; Matthew 19:26; Philippians 4:19; Matthew 26:39; John 14:13; James 2:17; Hebrews 11:3)
A Serving Church
February 3, 2019 • Collin Monger
God made each person uniquely and called us all to serve in His kingdom. Service is a reality: Each person has received a unique gift from God which they should use to serve Him and one another. Service is a responsibility: Use your God given passions and abilities to direct your area of service. Service requires a relationship: Believers are called to uses their gifts in order to serve and be a blessing to others. (Verses Cited: Matthew 20:16, 6:33; Romans 12:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12; Psalm 19:1; Exodus 35:31; 2 Timothy 3:17; Psalm 139:14; James 1:17; John 13:16; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7)
Keeping The Door Open
January 27, 2019 • Kirk van der Swaagh
Hope is that which is secured for us by the love of Jesus Christ. When the future appears uncertain our focus must remain on the hope provided by Christ. The Church must help practically: Women who become pregnant unexpectedly may feel hopeless, the Church needs to provide for the needs of these women and their babies. The Church must focus on people: Unborn children are the future, when we help expecting mothers we help guide the next generation. The Church is a result of love: Jesus’ message is one of redemption and love. His Church’s message needs to His values! (Verses Cited: 1 Peter 1:3-5; Ephesians 1:15-20; Hebrews 12:1-2)
A Preaching Church
January 20, 2019 • Collin Monger
In a world of fast-moving information, the Church is called to share the message of Christ. Preaching is intentional: Preaching requires a deliberate effort. Look for opportunities to share your testimony. Preaching is universal: Christ came to call the wicked to repentance. Share His love with those who might otherwise be neglected. Preaching is transformational: Genuine preaching leads to a new person; a changed life submitting in obedience to the Lord. (Verses cited: Matthew 28; Ephesians 4:12; 2 Timothy 4:2; 2 Peter 2:5; 2 Corinthians 2:2; Matthew 4:17; Exodus 4:10-12; James 1:22; Matthew 5:16; Genesis 17; Matthew 10:5; Romans 5:8; John 5:7; Luke 5:32; Romans 10:17; Matthew 10:6-7, 7:6; 2 Peter 3:18; Philippians 3:12)
A Teaching Church
January 13, 2019 • Collin Monger
It is the Church’s responsibility to teach faith to build up the body of Christ. Teaching is persistent: Teaching is a continual effort, not an isolated mandate. Teaching is purposeful: Christ was intentional about teaching others, we should do likewise. Teaching is practical: Teaching should relate to life. The truth of scripture is applicable today. Teaching is personal: We all have a testimony to share and a responsibly to teach what God has revealed to us. Teaching is faithful: We do not pick and choose what to teach. Sometimes biblical truths upset people, but we teach to edify and encourage the body. (Verses cited: 2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:11-12; Hebrews 10:24-25; John 4:3-7; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 2:2; Acts 2:42; Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:5,8; 1 Corinthians 19:22; Matthew 5:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Genesis 12:2; 1 Peter 4:10; James 3;1; Acts 20:27; Titus 1, 2:1)
God's Church
January 6, 2019 • Collin Monger
There are thousands of Christian denominations. What does the Bible say about God’s Church? • The Church belongs to the Lord: God leads and equips His Church according to His will. The Church does not belong to us, it is God’s. • Provision comes from the Lord: Ministries in a church are successful because God is active. We are called to testify about the work of God in our lives; we set out in faith and He meets our needs. • Protection is provided by God: The church is built on the truth that Jesus is God. Believers are protected from the world’s influence through the teaching of scripture. (Verses cited: Psalm 100:3; Genesis 12:1; Psalm 50:10; Acts 9; James 1:17; Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 3:7; Colossians 3:23; Psalm 23:4; Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20; John 17:14-17; Revelation 2:1)