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We have been studying the Apostles Creed. We believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe in that one God who spoke in Genesis 1.
There is something else we need to believe in. We need to believe in God’s Church.
Many Christians understand the importance of believing in God, but perhaps don’t recognize the importance of believing in God’s Church.
God’s Church is not a building. God’s Church is not a denomination. God’s Church is not limited by language, race, national borders, or culture. God’s Church is world wide and is empowered by the Holy Spirit to work in every situation, time, & culture.
- This is the Church built on the rock!
- This is the Church built by Jesus!
- This is the Church that has a bright future!
Do you believe in God’s World Wide Church?
Apostles Creed 4 – God’s World Wide Church from Redemption Church on Vimeo.
Apostles Creed 4 – God’s World Wide Church
Sermon Notes by Chris Fluitt
Redemption Church Plano
**Vid bumper
Welcome to Redemption Church. We are not a Mega Church, but we are a mighty Church. The weapons of our warfare are not of this world.. they are mighty through God.
My name is Chris Fluitt. I am the Lead pastor at Redemption.
We are in our final week of the Apostles’ Creed series.
I want to remind you that a Creed is a formal statement of Christian beliefs. A set of beliefs or aims that guide someone’s actions.
Let’s read the Creed together.
“I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”
(*All embracing, Universal)
- We believe in God the Father.
- We believe in His only son Jesus Christ.
- We believe in the Holy Spirit.
In this final week we are going to talk about our belief in the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting
As our Care Pastor, Marshal Blessing told us last week the world Catholic means universal, all-embracing, word wide church of Jesus Christ.
There are many people that believe in God.. yet do not believe in the Church. They believe in the Father, Son, & Holy Ghost but do not believe in the Church.
You need to believe in God’s Church
Here are just a few things your Bible says about the importance of the Church.
Ephesians 1:22 And God placed all things under his (JESUS) feet and appointed him (JESUS) to be head over everything for the church,(NIV)
Ephesians 1:23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.(NIV)
Jesus is the head of the Church! Is Jesus important? YES! Then what He is head over is important.
The Church is Jesus’ body! Is the body of Jesus important? His body became the sacrifice for our sin. The blood that saves us poured out from His body.
The Church is the body of Him (JESUS) who is the Fullness of God, who fills everything in every way! The Church is His Body!
Does the Church sound important? Does it sound like you should believe in the church?
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.(NIV)
Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.(NIV)
You should be connected to a group of people that spurring each other toward love & good deeds. That is the Church! The church is that group!
And we should meet together! The Church is important! It is more important than ever!
Matthew 16:18 ..on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Do you believe in the Church Jesus is talking about?
It is His Church and He is building it! The gates of Hell will not overcome His Church!
In the apostles creed it says “catholic” church…
the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting
As our Care Pastor, Marshal Blessing told us last week the world Catholic means universal, all-embracing, word wide church of Jesus Christ.
The Church of Jesus Christ is not a denomination. The Church that He is building is not called by a denominal name like Methodist, Catholic, Assembly of God.. His Church is called by HIS NAME.
Do not think of a church name.. think of the name of your savior.
Do you believe in the Church of Jesus Christ?
You need to believe in The Future of the Church
His Church becomes His bride. His blood washes away every stain and they stand clean. This is why the apostles’ creed declares I BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS!
The Church will rise from the dead. 1 Thess 4:16 tells us that those that are in Christ will rise from the dead.
The Church will experience life everlasting! This is what Jesus promises His Church!
1 John 2:25 And this is what he promised us–even eternal life.(NIV)
I believe in the world wide Church.
God’s Church is bigger than what is in this room right now.
God’s church is bigger than our national borders.
God’s church goes beyond skin color. It goes beyond language.
You are God’s Church, but not just you. Everyone else in the Body of Christ is included.
This is why you need to believe in The Communion of Saints
Communion is the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings. Those that believe ought to share together in relationship.
Does this happen much in the Body of Christ? I would say it doesn’t happen near enough.
“I don’t agree with that church down there…”
We let disagreements separate us.
Let me tell you something… none of us are right… and that is ok! We are not saved by having our theology in order.. we are saved by grace through faith in the one who loves us!
None of us are right… here is what I mean by that..
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,(NIV)
Ephesians 4:12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up(NIV)
Ephesians 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.(NIV)
He gave us the 5 fold ministry (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) for 2 things… 1 to prepare God’s people for works of service. 2 to build the Church/body of Christ up… and then check out the next word… UNTIL
Until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge…
The Church world incorrectly closes the door on unity & fellowship when we don’t agree exactly the same… but according to this scripture we should minister to one another until we come into unity.
The scripture goes on to say that ministry should happen UNTIL we attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
None of us have done that. But if we will grow together we will come into unity and attain the whole measure of Christ!
We need God & we need each other
As we close this sermon today I want to invite you into communion with the saints.
Christ himself broke bread a served wine…
The New Testament Church continued this in Acts 2
Acts 2:46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,(NIV)
I invite you to come to this altar today and take communion.
God's World Wide Church