Worship led by Sue Clarke
Today is a really exciting day. It marks the new beginning for God’s church here at Lee Street. Just a couple of weeks ago we thought about putting the past behind and looking forward to new beginnings, knowing we are placing our trust in God’s hands.
This is a quote by Henry Ford which I actually thought is quite appropriate in our circumstances:
Coming together is a beginning
Keeping together is progress
Working together is success
These words are all the more relevant to us because we know we are held in God’s hands and that He is sustaining us; guiding us; and equipping us.
Romans 8 v28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Jesus stand among us 303
In our worship this morning I’d like us to focus on unity.
Dictionary definition—state of being one-(wholeness). To unite is to make or become an integrated whole.
The bible emphasises the importance of unity among God’s people and how it can be achieved through love, forgiveness and humility.
Colossians 3 v13
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Romans 15 v5
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves, as you follow Christ.
Psalm 133 v1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Bind us together 43
What promotes unity in the Church?
The Letter to the Ephesians lists several characteristics as marks of the unity of the church –
Ephesians 4 v1-6
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
What is the greatest bond of the Church's unity?
The greatest bond of unity is God's love.
How do we show God’s love in the church?
- We ensure we share one faith;
- We share our worship together- that doesn’t mean we’re all clapping at the same time, but it does mean we all believe in the scripture we are reading and what we are singing and, more importantly, that that worship is for God’s glory.
- We support and trust all those who are responsible for the running of the church.
Psalm 133 v1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Philippians 2 v2
Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
This verse is a call to be united in love, purpose, and thought. It encourages people to put others before themselves and to work together for the common good.
Ephesians 2 v21-22
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
For I’m building a people of power 111
This verse, in John, shows us the importance of our church being grounded on the biblical truths and having God as our head.
John 15 v5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
These verses in Ephesians also refer to the head of the church, and remind us how Christ builds up his body. How the church, how you and I are the body of Christ and we're being built up in love!
Ephesians 4 v15-16
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. For him the whole body , joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
We need to be bound to God and to one another by the gospel. It doesn’t matter that we come in all different shapes and sizes and from all different walks of life. This is what matters!
As believers we are to exert our strength to maintain the unity which binds us to Christ and to one another. This unity is worked out among us by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit.
You are the vine 629
Euclid, a mathematician, once said “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. This means that we can achieve so much more working together than alone. We learn and grow as we come together. We need to be willing to share what God has taught us and to learn what God has taught others.
As a fellowship we need to be sharing with one another in an honest and open way, in love, so that we don’t hinder our spiritual growth.
Without unity we won’t fulfil our purpose and potential of being true lights in the world and spreading the gospel of Christ.
Ephesians 4 v11-14
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
This next bible verse is one in which Jesus prays for unity among believers and for the world to believe that God sent him
John 17 v21
That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me
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According to Scripture, the church has a three-fold purpose: to exalt God; the edification of the saints; and the evangelisation of the world.
God's primary purpose for the church is to "make disciples" by spreading the message of Jesus Christ throughout the world, which includes glorifying God, building up believers, (that’s the edification part), and actively evangelising to the lost.
Essentially we should be serving as God's instrument to bring people to salvation, and live lives transformed by Christ.
By living in a united way in our church, we create a picture of the unified nature of God and our union with him to the community around us.
1 Corinthians 13 v13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love!
Colossians 3 v14
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity
An army of ordinary people 20
When a church has unity, it experiences a stronger sense of community; increased effectiveness in outreach and ministry; greater spiritual growth for individuals; a positive witness to the world; and a more powerful ability to overcome challenges, as members are united in purpose and support one another.
We do all this acknowledging that our church is in God’s powerful and loving hands.
We know that Christ is Lord of all. He is the one true head of the church
Ephesians 1 v22
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.
He is King of Kings- sovereign over every earthly authority.
One body; one spirit; one faith; one Lord; one people; one nation---praise ye the Lord
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Message by Mike Williams
Marks of a Healthy Church – A Spirit-filled Church (Acts 1:1-8)
When Jesus said to Peter “I’m going to make you a fisher of men” What did he mean? Church buildings or revival & Adventure!
Why Marks of a healthy church? Christians are confused by what church is…Many are turning churches into skate parks Nicky Gumble at recent Evangelism Conference – “I pray the CofE give buildings to free churches”
- Some say, if you’ve hundreds attending, you’rer healthy. Jesus to Laodecia “you have a reputation of being alive but you are dead” (Revelation 3)
- Some believe prophecies & deliverance are the sign.. But Jesus said (Matt 7): “Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” 23 Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
- The truth is, a healthy church is an Acts 2 church! How was it birthed? Through the Holy Spirit (Pentecost):
Before he ascended, Jesus said: “Do not leave the city until you have been empowered from on High” (Luke 24:49)
- Acts 1:8 “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth” V8 today “He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit & Power” Mission & powerful!
But balance is key! (David Watson) “All Word and no Spirit, we dry up; all Spirit and no Word, we blow up; both Word and Spirit, we grow up” We need power and instruction, that’s a spirit-filled church! – Q: Is that the church of today?:
A W Tozer “If the Holy Spirit was removed from the church today, 95% of what we do would go on, and no-one would notice the difference” Why? Because many churches are doing the Lord’s work in their own strength
Acts 2:38 tells us, all who respond to the gospel receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4, tells us believers were filled at Pentecost, Acts 4:38 tells us they were all filled again! Being filled is ongoing!
When we believe, it’s like we are a fixer upper house. The HS moves in, clears out any squatters (demonic), and begins to put our house in order (the way God desires it)… Then He fires up the stove of hospitality, and he encourages us to invite unbelievers into our home. Then he fills us & equips us with whatever we need to save souls
Now what does that equipping look like in practice?
He Guides and He Draws
John 16:12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
- For too many, being a believer is about going to church. But Jesus says the Spirit will guide us…it’s a relationship!
- In Mark 16 JC says we will see incredible miracles, where did Jesus’ miracle happen? Streets, tables, local swimming pool mission
- Will it be hard? Jesus said, “don’t even worry about what to say, the Holy Spirit will fill our mouths” (Mk 13)
Whatsmore, we need not fear getting it wrong: John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day” The success of your obedience is not down to you!
- John Bailey – Wasn’t interested in the gospel, I prayed, and the man called me to give his life to Jesus. God draws!
He Prunes and Refines (fruit)
Often when we hear preachers preach on power, we hear little about character. But Jesus said (Matt 7:15-16) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits”
- The work of the Spirit is not just about power, He cultivates fruit! (John 15)
- The Holy Spirit isn’t an electric force, He is the Spirit of our Lord Jesus. He seeks to make us more like Him. He ruined my work life: Used to turn up to Barclays to get paid. Until one day entering work, I heard in my Spirit “your lazy – now u work for me!” – changed me forever
Eph 5:17-19 says 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord”
- The more we give ourselves to the infilling of the Holy Spirit, the more psalms, hymns, and singing in the Spirit will arise. The more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control will attract (Gal 5)
He Empowers (Read 1 Cor 12:8-10) – Every mission requires tools… and Spirit-filled Christians have access to them!
- I once prayed before a church service for God to give me a word of knowledge. I saw a Woman in yellow jumper about to give up on church, and she prayed God would tell her he loves her. I shared in church that Sunday and a Woman in a yellow jumper ran to the front crying and saying “its me” – The gifts are available today
- Inc Martin Luther “I was at the end of myself staring into mug. Im done Lord… Then the HS came on me like never before, my energy reappeared and I heard the words: Stand up for justice Martin” – The HS empowers believers!
- Pauls said 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Cor 2:4-5)
- “Not by might , nor by power, but by my spirit says the lord” – Je4sus invites us to an adventure, to be Spirit-filled fishers of men
NOTICES
- Wednesday morning at 10.30am – Church Prayer Meeting
- Next Sunday 9th February – speaker at 10.15am will be Linz Daun (Reigate Baptist Church}.