We have gathered as Christ's church this morning, but the church that met as Christ's church nearly 2,000 years ago in New Testament times was a much simpler, informal gathering. There were no "church buildings", so homes or public places were used. There were no written materials other than God's Word. No books, no tapes, no videos, no projectors, no parking lots, no auditoriums: just people indwelt by God's Spirit and His Word.When they met they learned why they were there, what they were to share, and how they were to live. In other words they were given what we could call a Mission, a Message, and a Method.
Our study of Titus 2 over these past weeks has been examining the method God commanded for them to reach their culture. But before we return to that method of Christ's church for reaching a godless society, back up and look at the mission and message of the New Testament church, because like them...
We Have a Mission As we open to I Thessalonians 4:1 may I remind you this morning that as Christ's church we have a mission that Paul summarized as pleasing God (I Thessalonians 4:1). 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we urge (PAI an continuous present action) and exhort (PAI) in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; NKJV
Paul's teaching involved a continuous urging and exhorting of the believers in Thessalonica to stay on track with their mission in life of pleasing God at every level of their life. The word translated 'to please' God is a fascinating word in Greek (aresko; 19 times in New Testament) that means: "to please; to strive to please; to accommodate one's self
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Pastor John Barnett has been devouring the Word of God for over 30 years. John, now the teaching pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan has served congregations in Oklahoma, New England, Georgia and California. He also served on the Faculty of the Master's College...
