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INTRODUCTION
Preaching this year Timely Truths that Transform Us. Nearing the conclusion of preaching our Church Statement of
Faith. Final statements are about the church. Last week we looked at the big picture about the church - the universal church that
transcends denomination. Today we look at the local church, and we will make it personal.
We believe in THE LOCAL CHURCH: that a New Testament church is a local assembly of born-again baptized believers united to practice
New Testament ordinances, to meet together for worship, prayer, discipleship, fellowship, teaching, and to actively engage in
carrying out the Great Commission. Acts 2:41-47; 1 Cor. 11:2; Matt. 28: 19-20; Titus 2:11-14.
We are here today because past church leaders of First Baptist Church have laid a solid foundation from the Bible for us to build
our church upon. A solid faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I have heard some great stories. Many of you have known some of those
saints. We have an interesting Church History Paper. Doctrine revised 1976, 2004.
PROMOS: Purpose Statement in the Bulletin, Graphics on Slides
Motto: “Growing disciples for Jesus Christ”
Disciples, Discipleship. Today I want to focus on the collective, corporate growth. Context Ephesians 4:11-16. Text v.
13
“Until we all attain...” = the Greek word for “attain” used 9 times in Acts for travelers
arriving at their destination. Literally “until we all arrive.” This verse thus describes the destiny of where
we as a church are to be going together. The goals of the church ministry. What is our destiny as disciples of Jesus Christ here at
First Baptist Church of Colfax, IA? Where do we need to arrive. Our text shows us 3 goals, or 3 destinations.
1. We need to arrive at having Shared Convictions about the Doctrines of Christ.
- “the unity of the faith.” Notice it is “the faith”
- the Christian system, the collection of truth we agree to. 4:4-6. Acts 2:42 “apostles teaching.”
These doctrines, beliefs, are centered on the person of Christ and established on the Word of God - “the
faith.”
- What we have in a church body is people from different backgrounds, different systems - backgrounds mixed with error
and ignorance - are now in agreement on what we believe is truth - “the faith.”
- Doctrine is not a scary word = teachings. Doctrine is important, 4 times in epistles “sound doctrine.”
- 1 Tim. 6:3 “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing...”
- Do we have common convictions about the truths of Christ? Do we agree on our doctrines? Do you agree with our Statement
of Faith?
- We have arrived when we have unity in what we believe as a church, centered on Christ established on the Bible.
2. We need to arrive at having Shared Personal Experiences with Christ.
- “and of the knowledge of the Son of God”
- Facts are great to a point - intellectually. But they must go deeper from our mind to our heart, more personal, into a
living relationship.
- “knowledge” = epignosis = “fuller knowledge” or “more complete, experiential
knowledge.” (New Commentary). The one who has the knowledge has been changed powerfully by the Son of God.
- “Son of God” phrase rarely used by Paul. Jesus is divine, you are knowing the great One, the
greatest One to know.
- We All are to know The same One personally by experience.
- Each of us need to have a personal experience of salvation, and continual experiences of spiritual growth.
- We together can each testify that we have experienced Christ in our life.
- We together are convinced that Christ is at work in us individually and our church corporately. See and experience the
hand of God in our midst.
- In local church, our local church, we have the person of Christ in common, we testify that Christ is at work in us.
Romans 12:13 “Rejoice”.
- Listen to the testimonies, different stories but same Person, same gospel.
- It should be quite obvious that Christ is at work in our midst, no other explanation can be found.
- We have arrived when we share personal experiences in Christ.
- Listen to our testimonies - not just salvation, but what happened this week. VBS - Creation. Today’s worship
service. The Prayer list answers.
3. We need to arrive at having Shared Maturity in the Fullness of Christ.
- “to a mature man, to the measure of the statue which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
- New Century: “We must become like a mature person, growing until we become like Christ and have His
perfection.”
- NIV Study notes “maturity of the perfectly balanced character of Christ”
- Spiritual growth. We may be at different levels of maturity, but we are maturing together. As a whole we are to be more
mature in our faith today than 5 years ago, a year ago, even last week.
ILLUS: This one is the tough one to measure. Statistically “We have matured 6.5% since the Annual Meeting
on January 13, 2008.
- The Christian life is intended to reach beyond our mortal human dimension, into the eternal spiritual realms.
- Corporate maturity, a mature church fosters a corporate elevation among it’s people, and when the people mature,
church matures. A nice circle.
- Christ is experienced fuller. Fruit of the Spirit displayed. Gifts of the Spirit are utilized. The body grows. Souls
are saved. Our world changed.
- Maturity in our speech, conduct Titus 2:7-8
- Beyond the milk to solid food. Not spiritual infants, but wise adults. Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for
the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”
- We have arrived when we are fully mature in Christ. We are still on the journey here.
How is this seen in the 5 purposes of the church?
Exaltation -Worship is contagious. We don’t' want to miss it. Christ is praised.
Equipping - On a Bible College level. Christ is taught.
Edification - someone is always there to help each other. Prayer. Small group ministry. Camp ministry. Christ love shared.
Evangelism - passion for missions seen in giving. Witness to people we know. Double the size if each one wins one. Christ’s gospel told to others boldly
Enlightenment - We are the happening place in Colfax, how about area? Christ is seen as the most important person of all.
- We have arrived when we see obvious maturity being developed in our church. This one we will never fully arrive this
side of heaven. Yet, are we more mature than last year? Than last week?
CONCLUSION
ILLUS: “Until we arrive.” In 1998 or 1999 I illustrated our church ministry by sitting in the chair and stating that I
felt like we are in a plane at the end of the runway waiting to take off. We were waiting, couldn’t quite take off.
Then around 2000 I believed that instead of taking off we were taken back to the hangar for repairs. God began to work in us. A lot
has happened in 8 years.
In fact, I believe we no only went back to the runway, but we finally took off - a lot has happened around here. We are up in the
air flying. Making progress. Look inside at the new people, new ministry methods, new leadership. Look outside at parking lot and
the house, signs.
This message: “Until we arrive” Now where are we going to land? A new world of opportunity? Someplace to connect to a
new flight? Or flying in circles and end up right where we left off?
How can you be an instrument of Jesus Christ right now at First Baptist Church of Colfax, Iowa?
- We need leaders.
- We need witnesses.
- We need teachers.
- We need givers.
- We need people who will pray.
- We need people who have vision for future.
- We need people to serve our children, youth, senior citizens.
- We need people committed to missions, serving beyond these doors.
- We need you.
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