#324 Why Series# 8, Why I Gather!

#324 Why Series# 8, Why I Gather!
By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
Ephesians 1:22-23 “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Ephesians 3:10-11 “…to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ  Jesus our Lord,”

Romans 16:3-5 “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house”

Church (Ekklesia):— an assembly of people called out.
Two ways churches used:
1. Universal Church
2. Local Church

1 Corinthians 12:18, 20 “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased … But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.” 

Acts 20:7 “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” 

Hebrews 10:25  (Message) “Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.”.

MASLOW”S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS — Chart in PPT 

PICTURE OF SHIRT LABEL — Mom was an avon lady … got these personalized iron on labels 

My Luggage bags have tags … Belongs to and belong where and has purposeful stuff to unpack!! 

I Gather For Three Reasons:
1. I Belong To God
2. I Belong At Impact Church
3. I Belong On Purpose

1. I Belong To God   — Careful how you treat other folks stuff … right!!!
John 15:16-19 (NIV) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other. 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 

Isaiah 56:2-5 (Message)
Make sure no outsider who now follows God ever has occasion to say, ‘God put me in second-class.

    I don’t really belong. And make sure no physically mutilated person

    is ever made to think, ‘I’m damaged goods.I don’t really belong.’” 

For God says: “To the mutilated who keep my Sabbaths

    and choose what delights me  and keep a firm grip on my covenant,

I’ll provide them an honored place  in my family and within my city,

    even more honored than that of sons and daughters.

I’ll confer permanent honors on them  that will never be revoked.

2. I Belong At Impact — No Perfect Church … But Perfect Father
Psalm 92:13-14 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,”
Floating around it is hard to grow and belong. God plants you … its okay

3. I Belong On Purpose
1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Romans 12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:…” 

Belonging On Purpose Means:
1. I’m Known
2. I’m Unpacked
3. I Contribute
4. I’m Responsible
5. I Speak The Language 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

Galatians 6:9-10
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

The House of God where you belong is not to contain you or constrict you but it is to strengthen you protect you and to give you value.
To bring out the best in you and serve your specific purpose.
To support your success.

Put yourself in the middle of God’s house.

324 Why Series# 8, Why I Gather, PowerPoint Slides

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