Message From Matt | August 17, 2017

Posted on Aug 17, 2017 in Message from Matt

 

I was looking at different church websites that Seth Grandidge sent to me as we are always looking for ways to improve what we are doing here at church…including our website.  (By the way, If you haven’t seen our website lately please check it out at indianapolisbaptisttemple.com.  Seth has been working on this and I think it looks great, but we are only about 1/2 way completed on the remodeling of this website. I believe that once it is done you will really like it and find it easy to get information on church events and general information about our church.)  While looking at the website of a large local church I thought I would listen to the sermon brought by their pastor this past Sunday.  In his message, he said a phrase that really stood out to me regarding the importance of church membership.  He said, “We need a regular rhythm of people speaking into our lives!”  I agree!  The point is that we have a need to be around others who are following the Lord and who will share their lives with us as well. 

This pastor’s thought goes very well with what we are talking about this Sunday during our annual emphasis on small groups.  There is a great importance in attending a small group, just as there is importance of attending the large group settings of Sunday mornings.  What is important about large and small groups?  Let me give you these reasons: 

1. Hebrews 10:24-25says many things in just two verses about being together in a church community.  The wording of these verses suggest that Paul wasn’t giving suggestions about being in fellowship, but commands!

  • “Consider one another…” – Others need our influence and we need theirs
  • “to provoke to love and good works…” – we need that regular rhythm mentioned above to help provoke us to good works.
  • “Not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together…” – Come together as a church community as much as possible. It’s always good to be with the family of God!
  • “And so much the more as you see the day approaching.” – As we get closer to the coming of the Lord Jesus, we need to come together more.

    2. Ephesians 4:11-16    says that God set different offices in the church and gave people different gifts for these purposes:
  • “for the perfecting of the saints” – to make mature believers
  • “for the work of the ministry” – one person can’t do it all themselves, we need others help
  • “for the edifying of the body of Christ” – 1 person can edify, but it is so much better when we work together on this
  • Working and being together will help us be unified in the faith!
  • Working and being together helps us to grow in Christ likeness
  • Working and being together helps us to be strong in the faith

    3. Psalm 133says that it good to dwell together in unity!

There are more reasons why its good to be in church and more specifically to be in a small group, but I will just stick with those passages for now.  If you aren’t in a small group, please join one this Sunday.  If you think that you are ready to lead a small group, please see Pastor Dzula and he will give you all the necessary information to get started.  See you Sunday