We Are the Church

Text: Acts 2:42-47 , Ephesians 4:11-16

I. The Church’s Identity

  1. What a church is not:
  1. A denomination
  2. A building
  3. A Social Club
  4. A Political Action Committee or Social Justice Warriors
  1. What a church is:
  1. A local gathering
  2. A gathering of regenerate (born again) members
  3. The Church has two special symbols: The Lord’s Supper and Baptism
  4. Autonomous
  5. A gathering associated by Covenant
  1. The Glen Meadows Covenant
  1. I will protect the unity of my Church:
  1. By acting in love toward other members
  2. By refusing to gossip
  3. By following the leaders

Romans 15:5  “Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus,”
1 Peter 1:22  “Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly,”
Ephesians 4:29  “No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.”

  1. I will share the responsibility of my Church
  1. By praying for its growth
  2. By inviting the unchurched to attend
  3. By warmly welcoming those who visit


Romans 15:7  “Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2  “We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers.”
Luke 14:23  “Then the master told the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges and make them come in, so that my house may be filled.”

  1. I will serve the ministry of my Church
  1. By planning to grow spiritually
  2. By discovering my gifts and talents
  3. By being equipped to serve by my pastors
  4. By developing a servant’s heart

1 Peter 4:10  “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.”
Ephesians 4:11-12  “And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,”

  1. I will support the testimony of the Church
  1. By attending faithfully
  2. By living a godly life
  3. By giving regularly

Hebrews 10:25 “...not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
1 Corinthians 16:2  “On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come.”

  1. Why Join a Church
  1. A Biblical Reason: Christ is committed to the Church
  2. A Cultural Reason: It is an antidote to our society
  3. A Practical Reason: It defines who can be counted on
  4. A Personal Reason: It produces spiritual growth