3 Spheres of Existence Biblically:
our sphere
demonic/angelic sphere
God’s sphere.
There are some that believe the church is a like a cruise ship…
Do I like the music they play in the ball room?
Do I like the captain and crew?Is the service good?
Are my needs met?
Is my cruise pleasant?
Is it comfortable?
When the better metaphor is made with a battle ship…
Is the ship on a clear and noble mission?
Does the captain submit to a higher authority?
Are crew members equipped to succeed?
Are they able to contribute in significant ways?
Are they honored for their efforts?
I used to be an outsider.
Now I am united.
Secrecy
James 5:16, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
You’re always going to be a sick as your secrets.
You don’t have to tell everybody, but you have to tell somebody.
Outsiders keep secrets from each other…but we’re now united.
Stubbornness
Proverbs 29:1, “Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.”
Psalm 81:11-12 ESV, “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.
Romans 2:5 ESV, “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed”.
Outsiders are stubborn. A unified church is humble and teachable.
Selfishness
Being here, but not contributing. The whole body suffers if we’re not ALL using our gifts and talents to serve each other.
We are His House.
Pray & Preach