A New People, a New Life, and a New Fellowship

About this sermon

Introduction: This evening we have the privilege of setting apart a group of men to serve this congregation as deacons. It’s a group of men who have proven themselves faithful. This is the standard for deacons. ESV 1 Timothy 3:10 And alet them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. The fact that these men are needed by this church, the fact that these men are willing to serve this church, and the fact that such service is viewed with honor, speaks of a greater reality than the eye can see. There’s something larger at work here than just one group of men, in one local setting, willing to help a group of people with their service. ESV 1 Timothy 3:13 For athose who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Deacon service has to do with the faith. It has to do with salvation. It has to do with eternal reward. It has to do with Christ. But it also has to do with something that is especially in need of emphasis in our time. IT SPEAKS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH. IT SPEAKS OF THE VALUE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH. IT SPEAKS OF THE CHURCH’S WORTH TO CHRIST, AND TO US, THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE WILLING TO SPEND AND BE SPENT ON BEHALF OF LOCAL CHURCH MINISTRY. It says something about how we view our relationship (as a follower of Christ) to other followers of Christ, and to a mission that has been given to the local church BY Christ. THE LOCAL CHURCH IS A DIVINE IDEA. IT IS THE RESULT OF THE DIVINE WILL. WE ARE DEVOTED TO THE CHURCH AND TO THE USE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS BECAUSE IT IS THE WILL OF OUR GOD. ESV 1 Timothy 3:15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. When we truly have a right understanding of salvation, a right understanding of our corporate identity, AND HOW THAT CORPORATE IDENTITY IS LIVED OUT IN THE WORLD, we will love the local church. Someone who doesn’t place a biblical level of priority on the local church is someone who has sub-biblical understanding of salvation, and of Christ’s own love for the church. AND ALL OF THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN JUST OUR NEED TO MOTIVATED FOR SERVICE. ALL OF THIS IS IMPORTANT IN OUR BATTLE AGAINST SIN. ESV 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2Co 5:17 ESV) That truth — the truth of a new life, that belongs to a new people, and that has introduced us into a new fellowship, gives us a perspective, and sustains in us a perspective, that allows for holy living. Is it not true that one of the reasons why Christian people often feel so discouraged, defeated, or perhaps just spiritually dull, is because we are not actively taking account of what God has done in our own case? We don’t focus on the glorious grace of God, on the glorious realities of salvation and on what our true condition is if we are believers in Jesus Christ? Do you do that? Do you spend much time thinking about what is really true of you now that you are a Christian? TAKING ACCOUNT OF THAT IS ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT TO COMBAT THE UNIQUE TEMPTATIONS THAT MEET US DURING THE VARIOUS SEASONS OF LIFE.

Topics

• Church & Fellowship
• Relationships
• New Beginnings