1. 1 Different by Design Going to Church or Getting a Life? 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12 November 15, 2014

2. 2 Question? What does the word church mean?

3. What did He mean? Jesus, “I will establish My church” Matthew 16:18 3

4. The governing model? Who in charge? Ephesians 1:22-23 & Colossians 1:18 4

5. I get that, but let’s talk real world. Who’s in charge? Luke 22:24-27 5

6. To do what? Ephesians 3:10 6

7. God’s household A dwelling in which God Live by His Spirit Ephesians 2:19-22 7

8. God’s household The pillar and foundation of the truth 1 Timothy 3:15 8

9. Now to 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12 9

10. What does the body metaphor tell us? Think organic/organism Not institutional Not hierarchical 10

11. Who put it together? God a rranged every part just as He wanted them 1 Cor. 12:18 Gave greater honor to the parts that lacked it 1 Corinthians 12:24 11

12. Who put it together? Can one part say to another, I don’t need you? -- 1 Cor. 12:21 That there should be no division 1 Cor. 12:25 Parts should have equal concern for each other – 1 Cor. 12:25 12

13. How this play out in real life? Examples from Acts 13

14. They knew they were a royal priesthood They knew were the temple that housed the Spirit of God 14

15. They didn’t go to worship They strove to glorify God in all aspects of life, which was their worship They didn’t go to church They were the church 15

16. So what kind of church do we want to be? 16

17. Supplemental Slides 17

18. Church Gatherings or Assemblies 18

19. Ask yourself Why did the Christians gather? Where did they find themselves together (if known)? What did they do or were instructed to do when they gathered or? 19

20. Gathering in the New Testament Acts: 10 Elsewhere in the NT: 4 Clearly inferred: 6 Variety of purposes (theological and practical) Variety of circumstances and places 20

21. Worship is not associated with any of these gatherings – surprise, surprise Wonder why? Worship on demand is foreign to the New Testament –We are the priests –We are the temple –Every aspect of our life is to glorify, which is our worship 21

22. Variety of purposes (theological and practical) –Resolving critical issues (Acts 6:1-6 and Acts 15) –Exercising church discipline (Matt. 18:15 and 1 Cor. 5) and rebuking leaders who sin (Gal. 2:11 and 1 Tim. 5:19-20) –Hear a mission report (Acts 14:27) –Strengthening, encouragement, comfort, instruction, singing, praying, praising God, thanksgivings (1 Cor., Chapter 14) When you come together, everyone has a hymn, word of instruction, revelation, tongue or interpretation Variety of circumstances and places 22