Series — Welcome Home  Sermon — I Gather On Purpose

Series — Welcome Home  Sermon —  I Gather On Our!

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

Ephesians 2:19-20 (Message) “That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building.”

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.”

We waste when we wander, what could have been built through belonging. 

If you’re wandering you are wasting.  Withering

If you’re belonging you are building.  Blossoming

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

Acts 20:28  “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.”

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.

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