The Community of Disciples.
1 Peter 2:4-12. Bromsgrove Baptist Church 350th Church Anniversary. 20th November 2016.
Open to God through being church
1 – 10 of 11 items
Open to God through being church – Learning.
Psalm 119:105; Matthew 28:16-20; John 5:39-40; Romans 15:4-6; 2 Timothy 3:14-17. In reality a number of things combine to make our church what it is today and will be in the future. However, above all we seek to be a community of disciples – those who live for Jesus and proclaim Him as Lord. Essential […]
Open to God through being church – Giving.
Psalm 24:1; Matthew 6:24-34; John 3:16; Acts 2:42-47: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; James 2:14-17 Jesus often reminded His disciples of God’s generous provision – e.g. Mt. 10:8. In Acts 20:35 Paul quotes a saying of Jesus not found in the Gospels: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Writing to Corinth he encourages generosity […]
Open to God through being church – Living.
Psalm 119:9-11; Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 9:23-24; Romans 12:1-21 The goal of the Christian life is to become more like Jesus (see Romans 8:29), in thought, word and deed. So, what does it mean to walk in the way of Christ? What does a ‘Christian lifestyle’ look like? There are bound to be differences (between individuals […]
Open to God through being church – Serving.
Psalm 66:16-19; Mark 3:13-19; John 13:1-17; Ephesians 4:11-12; Hebrews 13:17 The New Testament is clear that every disciple is called by God to share in his mission. Likewise, all have gifts and a part to play in the body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 12). Our life together should be characterised by loving service, in […]
Open to God through being church – Encountering.
Psalm 23; Luke 24:28-35; John 6:25-58; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. This series doesn’t look specifically at worship and prayer. These things (should) run through everything we seek to be and do as a church. However, the Lord’s Supper/ Communion is the central act of worship and we focus on it today as we share bread and […]
Open to God through being church – Sharing.
Psalm 9:1-2; Matthew 28:16-20; Romans 10:9-17; Colossians 1:15-23. At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, the risen Christ – the Lord, to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given – appears to his disciples and commissions them. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit they are to […]
Open to God through being church – Following.
Ps. 78:1-4; Mt. 3:13-17; Mk. 10:13-16; Acts 2:38-42; Gal. 3:26-29 In the New Testament it was through baptism that disciples pledged allegiance to Jesus as Lord. Baptism identifies us with His life, death and resurrection. It’s a sign of being washed clean and stepping into the life of the Spirit as a follower of Christ. […]
Open to God through being church – Belonging.
Ps. 95:6-7; Mk. 9:33-37; Jn. 13:34-35; Eph. 4:1-16. Belonging to Jesus means belonging to His people. There’s no getting away from this simple but profound truth – and the challenge it brings on many levels! Christ’s purpose is for us to be shaped in His likeness as we share life together and share the Gospel […]
Open to God through being church – Freedom
In the Early Church proclaiming Jesus as Lord was a political act and led to serious trouble. The same is true in parts of the world today and was also the experience of our ancestors in this church. We, too, are called to seek first the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33) and refuse to be […]