I'm Included
These are the notes from Pastor Steve’s message from the first week of the “I’m In” series on January 5th, 2020. You can also watch the message here and fill in the notes below as part of your personal growth in Christ this week.
Today's focus; I’m ___________________.
He (Jesus) was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:10-13
What is the church?
The church is believers in ___________________ all across the world.
The local church is a ___________________ family.
“Your attitude toward Christ’s church functions like a spiritual X-ray machine, exposing the condition of the heart.” Jeff Robinson
What is happening when I’m pulling away from the local church?
I’m walking in ___________________ to Christ.
I’m ___________________ what Christ loves.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
“If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15
If I’ve been distant from the local church, what does it reveal about my heart?
Is it possible for a genuine Jesus follower to reject the very thing Christ loves and died for?
“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. Acts 20:28
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Ephesians 5:25
Why included is key?
Included means being ___________________.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence:1 John 3:16-19
Extra questions and study to grow your faith in Christ this week:
Read Hebrews 10:24-25 and John 14:15 again. How is disengaging from the local church really a step of disobedience in our relationship with Christ?
Read Acts 20:28. Jesus gave his life for the church. How is it possible to justify loving Jesus but not loving the church (the people) that Jesus also gave his life for?
Read 1 John 3:16-18. When I’m a part of the church, I have people to protect me. How has someone done that for you? What are you doing to protect others in your church family?
What has been a barrier for me to get more involved in this local church? How will I remove that barrier and be more included in this church family?
Here is a read to get you thinking. “Christians Who Are Done With The Church” https://careynieuwhof.com/a-response-to-christians-who-are-done-with-church/