THEME: WHY CHURCH IS IMPORTANT TEXT: MATTHEW 16:18 What is a CHURCH? INTRO: Why go to church?

? 1) Its an act of obedience Ex. 20:8 2) We need to belong to a community of believers together. 3) We will be taught the word and led in worship rather than depending on us. 4) We need help in praying, tithing and fasting. 5) We need to face issues of life. 6) We need a break from our regular life and come to church to worship and be set free from bondages. 7) Learn to pray and fast. Everywhere there are buildings. These building will last for 30 years or little more. Lasting Church the building Jesus is building will last forever. Kings will die, palaces will be destroyed. Government will fail, Philosophers will fade. Pastors will fail. All what man has built will be destroyed but the Church will last forever. Cause the one who is building it is an everlasting god. WHAT IS CHURCH? Ecclesia ECC Out; Kalio I am calling called out ones Acts 7:38 Israelites were called church in the wilderness. Those who came out of sin were called Ecclesia - CHURCH BUILDINGS ARE NOT CHURCH - - One Church or denomination is not a church 22 thousand denominations are there 350 denominations in India So many independent churches No denomination is an original church CHURCH MEANS People who have been washed by the blood of Jesus are called CHURCH. Acts 2:47; Heb12:23 Any Church you may belong to, once when you are washed by the blood of Jesus Christ you are a CHURCH. EARLY CHURCH Acts 1:3; 1 Cor. 15:6; Acts 1:9; Acts 1:15; 2:14 Peter said 4 things Acts 2:37-40 i) REPENT ii) BAPTISM iii) FILLED IN HOLY SPIRIT iv) LEVITES EVIL GENERATION

BODY: WHY CHURCH IS IMPORTANT? 1) Acts2:46; Believers to gather and worship 2) Acts 2:44 Fellowship 3) Acts 2:4; Titus 1:14; 2:1; To teach the believers the Word and to establish them. 4) Acts 5:42; 8:4; To preach the Word in that region 5) Acts 15:4-29; 1 Cor. 5:1-5; To set things in order 6) Titus 1:56; Acts 15:41; Proper administration 7) 1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 5:15,16; To work in unity. We need to add people Acts 2:47 - Lay an egg is not enough - Growing the seed is not enough - Giving birth to a child is not enough. Church is a family 1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 2:19, 22 Child who is born must grow in the home not in the orphanage. Some youngsters dont like their home. They like to wander and eat everywhere and finally become sick. WHY GO TO CHURCH 1) Heb. 10:25; Bible tells us 2) Rom. 12:5; We belong to each other When you give up going to Church the unity of the Body, your own spiritual growth, protection and blessing are all at risk when you are disconnected from the body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12:12; 12:14-23; 12:27 We develop character of Christ things bearing with one another in the body of Christ Eph. 4:2 We exercise our spiritual gifts to serve and minister to one another. 1 Pet. 4:10; 1 Thess. 5:11; James 5:16 Leaders in the Church give protection spiritually 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Heb. 13:7 Jesus went to church Lk. 4:16 *****************************