The Local Community Church “In Reach”

1 Cor 12:25-27

Have you ever wondered why God called us to be apart of a local community church?

The way God designed us is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part is dependent on every other part; the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.

What is my purpose in my local Community Church? You are Christ’s body–that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything.

“Staying Covered”

• “Covering” is a very special word and is synonymous with community.
• The word cover means to protect, to shield, to defend.

What is “Covering?”

Covering:

• is Very important to the Lord.
• has many profound meanings and that’s why the Bible uses this word.
• is the Essential ingredient for 2016 if we are going to see the release of the increase.

Cover (definition)
To protect
To shield
To direct
To make provision for
To guard
To defend
To head
To take authority for

Areas of Covering

Covering
by the
Lord Jesus Christ

• The 1st Covering

2nd
Area of Covering- The Church
Wrong concepts of the Church
Place to appease God
Appease others
Religious duty
Not necessary (worship on my own- small group -TV)
Place for the children
When we have time for it (schedule)
Tag on my other activities (occasionally)
Only for those who need it in their life

The Local Church
Objective

• We began to (build on) a study on the covering in the church and  show the importance of the Local Church
• to see that through the local church’s covering, our destiny, and the Lord’s blessing are realized

 

The Church

• Church (eÍkklhsiða) “ called out ones”
• Community- Common + Unity (Celebration)
• Without covering there can be no authority
• Covering releases increase

The Lord intends each believer to be connected and involved as a local member of the Church

Importance of the local church

• The Local Body (Church)
• The local church-
• Place for Fellowship
• Place of Instruction and Equipping
• Place of Safety and Security
• Place to come into Agreement
• Place where Personal Ministry is Developed
• Place to fulfill His Commands
• Place of Accountability and Counsel
• Place of Acceptance, Support , Encouragement
• Place of Outreach
• Place of Worship
• Place of Favor and Increase

You & the Church

1 Peter 2:5
“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house (church) to be a holy priesthood”

1Cor 12:18
“But in fact God has arranged the members in the body (church), every one of them, just as he wanted them to be”

Key area
One of the key areas of the Local Church is fellowship (koinonia)

Acts 2:42;46-47
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Day after day, they went to the house of God together  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Fellowship
(koinonia)

• Communion
• Community
• Close relationships
• Commitment
• Covenant

Foundation
Insights

The local church is the active living organism within the Body of Christ. It is the key place for instruction, support and a platform for the family and ministry.

Each member of the body is placed within the church and has a vital part in the functioning of the body
Often because
Unforgiveness
Selfishness
Lack of trust
Past hurts-wounded
Past failures
Bitterness
Rejection
Wrong concept of love ( vulnerable, physical)
Lack of feeling lovable (personal acceptance)

2 AREAS OF EXPRESSION OF THE LOCAL BODY

“In Reach”
Interaction of the members to provide community,  release gifts, care for the members

“Outreach”
Invite unbelievers and believers to join the fellowship
Effect the community and impact the world

“IN REACH”

 

Ask yourself – “What is my involvement in the church?”

I have come to-

• be a spectator
• Listen to the pastor preach
• Enjoy the worship
• Bring the kids have so someone can teach them
• have An hour of interaction

Is that all God had intended for you? Of course not
Each member has an integral part in the body of their local church

1 Cor 12:18
“But in fact God has arranged the members in the body (church), every one of them, just as he wanted them to be”

Let’s look at

Directives for every member of the local community church

Your “in reach” ministry in your local community church

• Encourage one another

• Means to come along side
• Show kindness,
• World-reverse “do unto..everyone for themselves

Gal 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Rom 1:12 I long to be with you that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

Areas of Church
Body ministry

Build up one another

Edify
Strengthen one another’s faith
Speak life
1 Cor 14:12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
1 Cor 14:26 When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

Areas of Church
Body ministry

Exhort one another

To prompt
Counsel
Advise

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom

Areas of Church
Body ministry

Carry one another’s burden

 

Stand with during difficulty
Add support

Gal 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Areas of Church
Body ministry

Commit to one another

Count on-be there
Faithful
Stay connected

Rom 12:10 Be committed to one another. Honor one another above yourselves.

Areas of Church
Body ministry

Serve one another

Prefer
consider valuable
minister to

Eph 6:7-8 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does

1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Areas of Church
Body ministry

Forgive one another

Release
Restore
Remove the fault
Matt 5:23-24 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Eph 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Luke 11:4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against
Col 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Areas of Church
Body ministry

Pray with/for one another

2 in agreement
Seek the Lord together

Matt 18:19-20
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Areas of Church
Body ministry

Love one another

Have affection for
consider valuable
prefer
Demonstrate appreciation
Agape- 280x in God’s Word
Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Eph 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

1 Peter 1:22  have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins
1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God

John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this the world will know that you are followers of me and that I was sent by the Father

Areas of Church
Body ministry

Your “in reach” ministry
Encourage one another
Build up one another
Exhort one another
Carry one another’s burden
Commit to one another
Pray with/for one another
Serve one another
Forgive one another
Love one another