Causing Growth in the body

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Causing Growth in the body

• Ephesians 416

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Eph. 416

• Always good to reflect where have we been, how
  can we grow.
• Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors,
  teachers, are gifts from Christ to help us grow
  (Eph. 411-12).
• To equip usput tools into our hands.
• But we will only grow when every part does its
  share (vs. 16).

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Faithfulness In Worship Is Only an Indicator

• Worship is the tip of the iceberg concerning the
  condition of a church.
• It is necessary, but in order for it to be
  profitable, much more needs to happen.
• Many churches do not grow because people see
  Sunday worship as only responsibilitythats all
  they make time for.
• When this is the case, the church will sink!

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Faithfulness In Worship Is Only an Indicator
Collective Effort 1 Cor. 1133
Worship
Hospitality Brotherly Love Bible
Study Encouraging Kindly Affectionate Distributing
to Needs Associating Doing good Visiting those
in need
Individual Effort Rom. 129-21
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As a ChurchWhat Can We Do to Grow?

• In we come together Sundays and Wednesdaysbut
  what are doing the rest of the time?
• To answer this question we need self-examination.

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James 127Pure and Undefiled Religion

• Many go to church to get religion.
• Many go through the motions of worship because
  that makes them feel religious.
• James disagrees-James 122-23
• If we want to be religious, we must show it
  through the way we live
• Controlling the way we talk (126)
• Visiting and caring for those in need (127
  215-16)
• Good conduct (313)
• Works done in meekness of wisdom.

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James 127Pure and Undefiled Religion

• This congregation needs to be more religious.
• Not more religious just on Sunday
• But Monday through Saturday, as individuals. If
  any among you thinks he is religious
• What can we do better?
• Start taking our religion home with us!

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Brotherly Love

• Widows in the congregationmost need of
  encouragement.
• Are we visiting, encouraging, strengthening?
• Many poor people may loose their homes, but
  widows have lost much more.
• Members who need spiritual strength.
• Are we concerned? Are we encouraging? Are we
  trying to help?
• Sin is the fire. We need to be willing to pull
  our brethren out of the fire (Jude 23).

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Brotherly Love

• Brotherly Conduct
• Cast off fleshly standards (2 Cor. 516)
• Cast off selfish ambition (James 314-16)
• Refrain from gossip, backbiting.
• Use thoughts and mouths for righteousness, truth
  in love, encourage, etc.

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Hospitality

• Worship requires that we assemble.
• Other good works require associating on an
  individual basis
• Sincere love of the brethren (1 Pet. 122).
• Associate with humble (Rom. 1216).
• Kindly affectionate (Rom. 1210-13).

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Bible Study

• Mens class Are we taking leadership seriously?
• Womens class Are older teaching younger? (Titus
  23-5)
• Individuals Heb. 512-14
• Are babes willing to grow?
• Are mature willing to teach?

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Evangelism

• Matt. 2818-20
• Is Jesus your King?
• If so, are you spreading word of His salvation to
  those around?
• We have good news, are we sharing it?
• We have a treasure, are we sharing it?
• Dont be ashamed (Rom. 116-17).

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Moral Conduct

• Gal. 524 Crucified flesh with its passions
• Are we fleeing (1 Cor. 618 1014 2 Tim. 222).
• Modesty
• Speech
• Recreation
• Our sins will hinder our prayers John 931

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Excuses Hinder Growth

• Too busy but not for recreation
• Not enough money but not for recreation
• Too tired but not for recreation
• Live too far away but not for recreation
• 1 John 53 For this is the love of God, that we
  keep His commandments. And His commandments are
  not burdensome.

Be Careful!Mark 418-19Cares of the world choke
the word,We become unfruitful.
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Goals to Pursue

• Study to be approved
• Cant work without knowing what to do
• Sunday, Wednesday for everyonecare enough to be
  there
• Home studiesIndividual initiative (Heb. 61-2)
• Care for widowseveryone take initiative
• Associate with one anotherlike a body
• Evangelismshod feet with the gospel
• Teach children respect in worship