THE CHURCH (continued)

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TEXT: Deut.6:22-23; 1Cor.1:2

K. MAINTAINING HEALTHY CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

There are four major and very embracing things by which a good, healthy, Church membership can be maintained. These are found in Acts 2:42.
1. The Apostle Doctrine
The Apostle Doctrine may be defined as the First Principles of the Doctrine of Christ in all its ramifications (Hebrews 6:1-2)
These scriptures should be read as they all show the importance of believers being established in sound doctrine (Matthew 16:12; Colossians 2:22; Ephesians 4:4; Revelation 2:14, 15,24; Hebrews 13:9; Mark 7:7; John7:17; Deuteronomy 32:2; 1Timothy 4:1;4:6,13,16; Titus 1:9; 2:1, 7,10).

2. Fellowship
Fellowship through continuance in the Apostolic Doctrine (Psalms 94:20;1 John 1:3-7; Ephesians 3:9; 1Corinthians 1:9; Galatians 2:9; Philippians 1:5; 2:1; 3:10; 11Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11; I Corinthians 10:20)
There is fellowship with the Father, the son and the believers. There can be no true

3. Breaking of Bread
The Lord’s Supper, which is spiritual meat and drink, the communion of the body and blood of Jesus (I Corinthians 11:23-24; I Corinthians 12; 10:1-21; 5:1-10; John 6; Matthew 14:19; 15:36; 26:26-28: Acts 20:7; Luke 24:35)
Jesus can be known in the breaking of bread. The table of shewbread fulfilled.

4. Prayers
The fulfillment of the altar of incense in the church. Prayers, intercessions is contact with the risen Head in heaven. He ever lives to make intercession for us. A prayerless believer is a powerless believer.
Revelation 5:8-10; Acts1:14; 4:31; 13:3; Jude 20: Hebrews 7:27; Revelations 8:1-4

L. THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM
The word kingdom is from 2 words viz:
· King
· Domain
i.e the territory or area over which a king rules and reigns
Grk – Basileia i.e the sway, rule, administration of a king

Pls note:
‚ There is no difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Heaven because what is said of one is also said of the other – Matt.23:22
‚ The kingdom includes all universe, the angelic host as well as the saints i.e old and new testament saints
‚ The church is confirmed to all believers within the desperation of the Holy spirit
‚ The church is the physical and present instrument for the demonstration and manifestation of the kingdom.
‚ The church has been entrusted with the administration and authority of the kingdom on earth
‚ The relationship between the church and the kingdom is evident in – Matt.16:18-19 ‘…The keys of the kingdom”.
‚ In a sense, the term church and kingdom can be used interchangeably
‚ It is through the church that the kingdom was extended on the earth and in the heart of men.

M. IN THE CHURCH
Matt.13
i. Vs. 1-8 * You do not determine where you are planted, He does
planting implies: Gifting – Rom.12:3-9
Location – Rom.16:3-5; 14, 15; 1Cor.16:19-20
* You are expected to bring forth fruit. No room for barrenness
ii. Vs. 9,23 * Your fruitfulness will be determined by the words you hear and internalize
iii. Vs. 21 * Pressure was common to all the seeds. What made the difference was the root system. The development of the root was a function of response and attitude to the word
iv. Vs.24-30 *Not everyone in church is a child of God. Some are Tares – explain
* The only way of knowing is the fruit – sustained fruitfulness over time
* Tares think The Owner does not know, He does. His only business with them is at the time of Judgment.
* God’s patience is not foolishness. He has a plan.
v. Vs.31-32 * It does not matter your physical state /condition right now. If you remain in church i.e – Receive the word
– Exercise the word
– Grow by the word
You are guaranteed a future and you will be a blessing to others – Psm.1:3
vi. Vs.33-35 * If sin i.e – worldliness, self seeking, false doctrine and false brethren are covered, hidden or tolerated in church, such tendencies or vices have the capacity to spread and pollute the church.
vii. Vs. 44-46 * Make the word precious and you become valued
* You start with the word from where you are and with what you have.
viii. Vs. 47-52 * The good, the bad and the ugly all come to church
* God knows His own
* There is a coming separation and Judgment of the wicked

Dr. Udoh
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