"What The Church Needs Right Now!"
1 Peter 5:1-4
INTRO.Christ, our Savior, instituted the Church over 2,000 years ago. And although the True Church has seen its good times and its bad times, it still continues on. In Matthew 16:18, Christ told Peter that upon this Rock (Christ's own body), He would build His Church and the Gates of Hell would not prevail against it.
The Church has seen some peak times; and it has also seen some lean times. But there has always been and always will be a Church of the living God here on earth until Christ comes and takes it away in the rapture.
There is a growing trend in our Churches today toward laxity. Our attendances have dropped, our evangelism has dwindled, our commitments are down, and sad to say, our Church splits and divisions are on the rise. WHY??
Old Satan is working overtime today to thwart the ministry of God's Church. Anytime the Church tries to do God's will; Satan is going to fight it. We who have the true Word and Message must bind together in unity and keep fighting for Jesus until He comes back for us!
What The Church Needs Right Now is More:
(1) Capable Leadership
Acts 20:28-leader & Rulers
That:(a) Must feed the flock- text: 1 Peter 5:2
(b) Must rule the flock- 1 Tim. 5:17
(c) Must watch the flock- Acts 20:29-31
(2) Concern and Compassion for the Lost
That Comes by:
(a) God's people caring for the Lost, realizing their
responsibility.
Ps. 126:5, 6
(b) Faithful Men carrying the Gospel.
2 Tim. 2:1, 2
(c) Courage of the Church to Stand for the Faith
Rom. 1:16
(3) Christian Love and Unity Among the Brethren
1 John 4:20, 21- Brotherly Love
Eph. 4:1-6------United for One Purpose
(4) Consecrated Membership
How?
By: (a) Putting Christ and His Church first
Matthew 6:33
(b) Having an interest in attending service
Hebrews 10:25
(c) Living for Christ Daily
Titus 2:11, 12
(d) Studying our Bible
2 Timothy 2:15
James 1:22
Closing: Christ wants His Church to be one on the grow, but also one on the
go! What kind of Church do you want? Our Church can be a great
success for God or a big disappointment to God, which do you
want?
What our Church will be and how pleasing we are to God is up to us!
What will we do??