08.16.10 - Why LIFE Groups?

Why LIFE Groups?

Monday, August 16, 2010

1:12 PM

1. 1. Hard Issues

1. a. Questions

1. i. What do you think when you hear someone say they do not need to go to Church to be a Christian?

1. ii. Why do you think people feel that way about Church?

1. iii. What would be some reasons you might choose to attend Church?

1. b. 1 Cor 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?KJV

1. i. If God has placed us in the Body according to His will, if I do not associate myself with the rest of the body, what does that mean to my Christian walk?

1. 1. Eccl 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him KJV

1. 2. Lev 26:8 And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. KJV

1. a. According to the Scriptures, we are better able to cope with life, temptations, enemies and it is the will of God for us to be in fellowship with one another.

1. b. There are so many reason we can come up with to not fellowship, or to stay away from Church.  Most are truly valid, but none can exempt us from what God tells us in His Word to do

1. c. God created us to not only have fellowship with Himself, but each other as well.  That is the reason when we are hurt or are done wrong, we take it so hard and many times fall out of fellowship with other believers.

1. i. Could it be that the reason we take it so hard when things don't go the way they should at Church is because it means so much to us?

1. 2. The Church

1. a.   The birth of the Church can be traced back to the Book of Acts, Chapter 2

1. i. They were all in one accord, in one place, for one reason, because Jesus had told them to be there and wait 

1. ii. Once the Holy Ghost fell, those in the upper room left, went into the "world" and began to do exactly what the Lord had told them to do, preach the Gospel to all nations and make disciples of all nations

1. 1. What are some differences between the gathering of believers before Acts 2 and those after Acts 2?

1. a. Before:

1. i. Prior to Acts 2, there was no formal meetings other than those few instances such as the Sermon on the Mount where true teaching was given.

1. ii. The meetings that were held in the synagogues, were very legalistic, law centered and works based

1. b. After

1. i. More and more believers began to gather outside of the "synagogue" in places that included homes

1. ii. More emphasis was given on discipleship, heart condition and inward cleanness that outwards works based religion

1. iii. Discipleship was commanded of every believer, to both BE and disciple and to MAKE disciples

1. b. "Church" is defined as "assembly of those who are called out"

1. i. Today, church is likely much different than the church in the early days:

1. 1. We have organized programs, a schedule to adhere to, set meeting places, etc

1. a. While in some ways better, some ways we are not doing what we were commissioned to do

1. 2. The days of the early Church were full of fellowship, personal discipleship and intimacy.  2000 something years later, some of that intimacy has been lost or traded for "programs," fellowship has given way to hi and bye and personal one on one discipleship is practically unheard of

1. 3. Getting It Back

1. a. The truth is that God has sanctioned the modern Church, else souls would not be saved and lives changed.  But that does not mean there is not room for improvement

1. i. When we look at the answers to the first three questions listed above, how many of those answers involve possible failure on behalf of the Church as a whole?

1. 1. Failure to recognize and meet a need?

1. 2. Failure to help people connect with others in the Body who are able to assist in Christian maturity?

1. 3. Failure to individually, personally and intimately DISCIPLE whosoever will?

1. b. Jesus did not command us to make Christians, He commanded us to make DISCIPLES and we cannot do that in just three hours a week! Discipleship comes FROM the Body of Christ and should extend TO the Body of Christ 

1. i. 1 Cor 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers : for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. KJV

1. 1. Do you remember your kindergarten teacher? What was his/her name? For what period of time were they personally involved in your life?  Did they teach you life skills that you still use today?  Could you call on them today if you had a need?

1. 2. What was your father's name? Ask the same questions above about him.  

1. 3. See the difference?  A pastor, teachers, altar worker or anyone else at the church can teach you, can lead you to the Lord and can even if called upon answer a question or two.  But we need to have, if we are to truly come to Christian maturity, we MUST have Biblical relationships with those in the Body of Christ whom we can be totally transparent and real.  This does not always happen in the typical church setting or around the altar.

1. a. Have you ever gone to the altar with a need and left with the same need because you did not feel you could be totally real with the altar worker/pastor/preacher?

1. 4. Putting It In Perspective

1. a. Honestly, biblically and seriously, the truth is we need each other.  We need those upon whose shoulder we can cry, upon whom we can depend to speak to us Biblical truths, in love, and we need Christian mentors and leaders . We don't just need another teacher, we don't need to be "taught." we need to become a disciple and we need to be "discipled."

1. b. We need to be accountable.  My kindergarten teacher either flunked me or passed me.  One year and she was done.  My father on the other hand had much more of an investment in my life, he knew me personally and not only wanted me to succeed but did his best to pour into me those things I needed for success

1. c. L.I.F.E. stands for "Living In Fellowship Everyday.  LIFE is so much more worth the living when done God's way, with God's people right beside and behind. May you find LIFE in these meetings and commit yourselves one to another each and every day! 

Prayer : Most High God, You created us for fellowship.  I pray that the Holy Ghost will strengthen our fellowship with You and that through these meetings, through this time, we will build Godly relationships with one another that will last a lifetime.