Pastor Dave Martin ~ Cross Creek Community Church ~ May 16, 2010

“I will Build My Church”

• Jesus built the universe (Col 1)  Jesus builds new lives (2Co 5) Jesus builds mansions for you (John 14)
• Jesus said, “I will build My church” and NOTHING shall overcome it! Mt 16
• I will build my church (a called out assembly… predominately used in a local sense) NOT a building but people…
• Gave His life for the church Acts 20:28; Is the Head Col 1, Eph 5:23; He fills w/ blessings…Jesus Builds His church;

• This is a very important message for our “old” members as well as the “new” members… Why?
• In America we’re experiencing a slide from Biblical truth… into a PC nation of people who believes lies…

Even Christians are being brainwashed… "A new nationwide survey conducted by the Barna Research Group indicates that a large share of the people who attend Protestant or Catholic churches have adopted beliefs that conflict with the teachings of the Bible and their church. ....'Our continuing research among teenagers and adolescents shows that the trend away from adopting biblical theology in favor of a culture-based theology is advancing at full gallop.'" Brainwashing in America

• Making Church irrelevant… unimportant… non-essential to my agenda… I really don’t need God attitude
• America has approx 330,000 Orthodox “Christian” churches with 20.4% population attending each week.
• Average Protestant church size is 124 (people “say” they attend but don’t)… But the actual size is 75 people…
• Only 6% churches are growing… 94% are losing ground in their communities.
• From 2000-2004 Catholic churches declined 11%, mainline denominations 10%, evangelicals 1%

http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/americanchurchcrisis.html

• I stand in awe seeing the way our Lord works in the lives of His people… “Jesus will build His church” 
• God is truly working here at Cross Creek and I give Him praise in the way He is touching lives.
• PTL, this morning we have 26 individuals who desire to join in membership here at Cross Creek!

• Why do we have membership?  You may say, I’m part of the universal church?  Why should I join?
• God says we are fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household – Eph 2:19
• The church is a spiritual family that will long outlast your physical family… throughout eternity!
• You need to be “connected” into a local church body to function properly – accountability / responsibility / grow
• Not being connected to a body you begin to swivel up... you become easier prey for the enemy...

• I thank God for those who are making this commitment, and that is what we’re going to look at this morning

• The first requirement is you must be saved, born again, regenerated, made spiritually alive in Christ...
• You also must have been baptized the way the Bible teaches, not by tradition but the way the Bible teaches...

• AFTER salvation Christ commands you to be baptized by immersion – public testimony of a personal relationship
• Also we must be in agreement with what we believe – Our statement of faith, our strategy & our structure.
• Also you must be led by the Holy Spirit to become a part of Cross Creek – this is very important to be sensitive.
• The lord brings… the Lord removes… Supernaturally Jesus builds His church… bloom where God plants you! 

The Cross Creek Membership Covenant

“Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement with Cross Creek’s Statements, Strategy and Structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Cross Creek Church family.  In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:

I.       I will PROTECT the unity of my church

Romans 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• When the church is divided there is confusion and the enemy gets a foothold. 
• Good/ bad meetings...  Destroy the fellowship of a church you’ve destroyed the church…
• Where the Spirit of God is, there is liberty & peace not contention & bitterness… fostered by pride.
• How do I protect the unity of my church?  How do we maintain this sweetness? 

ü  ...By acting in love toward other members

1 Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

• Love each other deep from your hearts.  No greater force than genuine love...  commanded to love.
• Genuine love, not hypocrisy – real, deep down “agape” love toward one another. Demonstrated!
• Loving one another no matter their social status... Loving protects the unity of the church body.

• When you join a church you find it filled with human beings... imperfect – but we must love them.
• Sometimes we find EGR people – Extra Grace Required people... Love them anyway.
• “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” Rom 12:18

ü  ...By refusing to gossip

Ephes. 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome (corrupt) talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

• The word “corrupt” (sapros) means rotten, foul, putrid and polluting.  God says, speak good words.
• Speak helpful words, not words of gossip, not a busybody in everyone’s affairs. That is sin.
• Gossip is when you are neither part of the problem or solution but love to blab – “digging” for news.
• Their mouths run more than their nose!!!  Blab, blab, blab… Choose to love, Refuse to Gossip…

I read about four men of the cloth, taking a short breather from their heavy schedules, were on a park bench, chatting and enjoying an early spring day.

"You know, since all of us are such good friends, said one, 'this might be a good time to discuss the problems that are disturbing us.? They all nodded in agreement.

"Well, I would like to share with you the fact that I drink to excess, said one.

There was a gasp from the other three. Then another spoke up... since you were so honest, I'd like to say that my big problem is gambling. It's terrible, I know, but I can't quit. I've even been tempted to take money from the collection plate.'

Another gasp was heard, and the third clergyman spoke. "I'm really troubled, brothers, because I'm growing fond of a woman in my church… a married woman.'

More gasps. But the fourth man remained silent. After a few minutes the others coaxed him to open up… 'the fact is, he said, "I just don't know how to tell you about my problem.'

"It's all right, brother. Your secret is safe with us.'

"Well, it's this way, he said. "You see, I'm an incurable gossip.'

Arlene Quant, quoted by Alex Thien in Milwaukee Sentinel

ü  ...By following the leaders

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

• We also protect the unity of our church by following the leaders... this is very important also.
• This verse scares me... the part that says we must give an account someday – stand before Christ.
• I will give an account of how well I helped you to grow, how I prayed... a heavy responsibility for me.
• I’m not smart enough to lead this church, but God is.  So I beg you to pray for Cross Creek’s leaders!

II.      I will SHARE the responsibility of my church

Ephes. 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

• Your job is to share in the responsibilities of Cross Creek.  We function as a living organism…
• Church body grows and builds itself up in love as “each part does its work”.  Not someone else…
• Child in the nursery… then do your part… greeters, ushers, teachers, praying, serving… 20/80 rule…
• You’re more than an attender, now you’re a member... step up to the plate and help!!! 

ü  ...By praying for its growth

Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

• There is power in prayer... be praying for your family, your church, your country & leaders, souls...
• Pray for growth, both spiritually and physically.  People comes…  they hear the Word of God…
• People hear the Word, the more people who gets saved and the church continues to grow… impact!

In one region of Africa, the first converts to Christianity were very diligent about praying. In fact, the believers each had their own special place outside the village where they went to pray in solitude. The villagers reached these “prayer rooms” by using their own private footpaths through the brush. When grass began to grow over one of these trails, it was evident that the person to whom it belonged was not praying very much.

Because these new Christians were concerned for each other’s spiritual welfare, a unique custom sprang up. When ever anyone noticed an overgrown “Prayer path,” he or she would go to the person and lovingly warn, “Friend, there’s grass on your path!” – RWD  Our Daily Bread, November 18, 1996

• Serving, Praying… not letting any grass to grow on your path…

ü  ...By inviting the unchurched to attend

Luke 14:23 "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.

• The Lord told a parable about a great banquet with many invited guest... yet many made excuses for not coming… The servants invited the poor, crippled the lame... and yet there was still room in God’s Kingdom.... GO after them, compel them to come in! (by constraint, force, threat, necessity…)
• Continually going out and compelling people to “come in” & hear God’s Word & be saved.
• We normally do “Friend Day” twice a year, hayride/ cookout/ bonfire, concerts, message series…
• God is not willing that any should perish... all should come to repentance - Be inviting people… 

ü  ...By warmly welcoming those who visit

Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

• We meet & greet each other every Sunday... Give three things… a look, a touch and a word!
• There is nothing worse than going into a dead lethargic church where people are cold & unfriendly.
• The biggest reasons for not attending church – Sermons boring & don’t relate to my life… Members are unfriendly /clique… they just want my money…

III.     I will SERVE the ministry of my church

1 Peter 4:10 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” 

• A motto around here has been “every member a minister”.  God has spiritually gifted you to serve.
• Jesus did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom.  God calls us to be servants… we are given spiritual gifts in order to serve others...
• There are many ministries at Cross Creek… don’t take a back seat and soak and rot… jump in, serve

ü  ...By discovering my gifts and talents

Romans 12:5-6a “so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us...”

• I serve the ministry of my church by discovering my gifts and talents.  We all have different gifts…
• It’s beautiful to watch people discover their gifts and talents... Many examples seen from all over our church… people who never taught, becoming excellent teachers… discover your area of giftedness!
• We belong to each other, you need me & I need you... everyone is a “10” in some area – Valuable!
• If you are not engaged in serving you need to be.  As you serve it helps the body to function properly.
• A healthy church is a growing, vibrant, alive church where Christ is exalted and God’s presence...
• Class 101 – Membership;  Class 201 – Maturity;  Class 301 – Ministry;  Class 401 - Mission

ü  ...By being equipped to serve by my pastors

Ephes. 4:11b-12 “...God gave some... to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

• God gave Pastors/teachers for the purpose of “equipping” the saints for the work of the ministry.
• “Equip” means to mend, train, prepare... the word is used in the sense of mending fishing nets…
• “Every member a minister” “Body Life” maturing and growing and serving... submissive attitude.
• God calls me to bring you to a higher level spiritually, to equip you to do ministry at Cross Creek!

ü  ...By developing a servant’s heart

Philip. 2:5-8 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

• We must develop a genuine servant’s heart... Its not about you, its not about me, its all about Christ.
• Our ultimate goal in life is to have the same humble servant attitude of Christ.  The way UP is DOWN.
• Jesus did not come to be served… but to serve… It’s all about how can I serve others as I serve Christ.

A large group of European pastors came to one of D. L. Moody’s Northfield Bible Conferences in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. Following the European custom of the time, each guest put his shoes outside his room to be cleaned by the hall servants overnight. But of course this was America and there were no hall servants.

Walking the dormitory halls that night, Moody saw the shoes and determined not to embarrass his brothers. He mentioned the need to some ministerial students who were there, but met with only silence or pious excuses. Moody returned to the dorm, gathered up the shoes, and, alone in his room, the world’s most famous evangelist began to clean and polish the shoes. Only the unexpected arrival of a friend in the midst of the work revealed the secret.

When the foreign visitors opened their doors the next morning, their shoes were shined. They never knew by whom. Moody told no one, but his friend told a few people, and during the rest of the conference, different men volunteered to shine the shoes in secret. Perhaps the episode is a vital insight into why God used D. L. Moody as He did. He was a man with a servant’s heart and that was the basis of his true greatness.

Gary Inrig, A Call to Excellence, (Victor Books, a division of SP Publ., Wheaton, Ill; 1985), p. 98

IV.    I will SUPPORT the testimony of my church

Acts 2:47 Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

• It is so important to have a good testimony personally and as a church corporately.  A good report.
• The early church was a worshipping and praising church, enjoying the favor of all the people
• Good personal character honors Christ & His Church. How do I support the testimony of Cross Creek?

ü  ...By attending faithfully

Heb. 10:25 “Let us not give up the habit of meeting together...but let us encourage one another.” 

• How faithful is my church attendance?  Your neighbors are watching.  A powerful testimony...

When you were born, your mother brought you to church.

When you were married, your wife brought you to church.

When you die, your friends will bring you to church.

Why not try coming to church on your own sometime?

Studies in Theology, James Denney, Hodder & Stoughton, 1895, p. 173, “The Church and the Kingdom of God”

• I thank God for the faithful attenders here at Cross Creek... As we continue to grow, stay faithful…
• As we grow larger we may think, “they don’t need me”... that is not true.  Deception of the enemy.
• As we grow larger we must grow smaller with small groups, great for connecting with each other.
• Be encouraging each other – especially as you “see” the day approaching when our Lord returns.

ü  ...By living a godly life

Matthew 5:16 “...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

• We support the testimony of Cross Creek & Christ’s church by being the salt & light of the world.
• When the community sees the light of Jesus & your good conduct it’ll bring glory to God.
• God choose us to live holy and blameless lives before Him and before the people around us…
• Like swimming against the current of our culture… standing true and strong for Christ

ü  ...By giving regularly

2 Cor. 9:6-7 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

• God calls every believer to be a regular giver of their finances... you can never out give God.
• Malachi says don’t rob God of your tithe & offerings – test me in this… Mal 3:8-10

Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

• Give & it will be given back to you – pressed down, running over – given back to you!  (Luke 6:38)
• Each should give from your heart – not grudgingly but freely because of your love for Jesus.
• Members of Cross Creek – this is what membership means, this is the commitment you make to God & others... PTL… “I will build my church” ~ Jesus Christ

Welcome ~ New Members!

Let’s Pray