A Thank God Church
May 25, 2008
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Text: Philippians 1:3-8
Memorial Day is a time of remembrance. Heroism, good times, positive things, we thank God for them; photo albums. Snapshots of joy! Many people carry negative memories – church – fussin’, fightin’, fuedin’, splittin’, constant troubles, travails and tangles - Our snapshot is not the building but a person!
The church is the person and the people!
God wants us to be remembered as a “Thank God church.”
How are we remembered as a Thank God Church?
1) Our Partnership
V3-5 - “partnership in the gospel”
Paul is thankful and joyful because of faithful koinonia: Fellowship, partnership, kinship
Rick Keltner, Jerry Bryant, A true Brother and we have a shared passion and purpose!
The Good news of Jesus Christ matters! We keep the main thing the main thing!
How churches get off course? What matters? Lose sight of the main thing!
Jesus saves! Have you realized the Gospel? What it means? How to participate?
A God thing?
2) Our Progress!
V6 - “carry it on to completion”
What’s all that carrying on? Are people actually growing in Christ? Are people actually discovering and doing what God created for them to do?
OHC: Where God is building a church that blesses - to be - it is happening!
Telling, teaching, and serving the Good news - to do - it’s happening!
A Confident (persuaded) people - V6 - The Gospel matters - God is carrying on!
A paranoid people - fears, foibles, fantasies, failures
No joy in Mudville! People living in disappointment, discouragement, rather than persuaded God is for and with them!
3) Our Passion!
V7-8 - Paul has such a love for this body of believers because he is not alone! No matter the circumstance - V7- “share in God’s grace”
A) Love, forgiveness, hope, salvation, giftedness, OHC is a grace place
B) Not a “me church” but a “we church”- Ever felt alone? No one cares, no hope?The thank God church is a grace place! We do not judge, or condemn but instead inspire the celebration of unity, hope, love, and favor. Grace is alive in the Thank God church!
Conclusion
When Sundays were special? Andy Griffith Show - Now just another day - or misconception - God calls us to make Thank God memories!
The Gospel Matters, God is carrying on, Grace is alive