Winchester Road East Church of Christ » church http://www.winchesterroad.org We have a place for you. Come grow with us. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:01:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Stop Dating the Church http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/stop-dating-the-church http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/stop-dating-the-church#comments Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:15:52 +0000 admin http://www.winchesterroad.org/?p=2790 Stop Dating the Church
Ephesians 3:10-11

Sermon from July 19, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

]]> http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/stop-dating-the-church/feed 0 Stop Dating the Church http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/stop-dating-the-church-sermon-outline http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/stop-dating-the-church-sermon-outline#comments Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:00:36 +0000 admin http://www.winchesterroad.org/?p=2774



Stop Dating the Church
Ephesians 3:10-11

I.      Introduction

A.    You may know someone who has difficulty committing to a relationship.

B.     In Stop Dating the Church, Joshua Harris examines commitment problems in the church.

1.      It is an intriguing idea, and an apt analogy.

2.      It offers an enlightening look at a relationship too many take lightly.

II.     The shortcomings of “dating” the church.

A.     What does it mean to “date” the church?

1.      A relationship where we set all the terms

2.      But a relationship we expect to be pleasing to us.

B.     Is this the kind of relationship Jesus expects?

1.      Jesus makes demands of those who follow Him (Luke 9:56-62)

2.      Will He be satisfied with uncommitted “disciples”?

III.   Signs of a “church dater”

A.     Church Daters are often “me-centered” when it comes to church.

1.       “What can the church do for me and my family?”

2.      Programs and activities are the reason they come

3.      They don’t go with the intention to be counted on or called upon.

B.     They intend to remain independent, keep a safe distance from the church

1.      They attend church because that’s what they have to do.

2.      But they are careful not to become too attached, too involved.

C.     They are often critical of the church.

1.      They show little allegiance

2.      They are quick to find fault.

D.     They are satisfied with shallowness in their date

1.      This is a two-way street: Some churches foster an attitude of dating

2.      Some church-goers don’t care about deeper truths as long as they “get what they need”

IV.  The church is worthy of your commitment

A.     God has honored and glorified the church.

1.      The church isn’t some religious club, invented by men.

2.      God’s eternal purpose and wisdom are made known in it (Eph. 3:10-11)

3.      It is a source of glory to God “forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21)

4.      It is precious to its Redeemer (Eph. 5:22-27)

5.      The church is the “fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23)

B.     God involves the church in His atoning work.

1.      God has not only saved us, but He has invited us to participate in His plan to save
the lost.

2.      The church is His tool for carrying out that plan. (Romans 10:14-15)

3.      It is “a pillar and buttress of truth” (1 Tim. 3:15)

C.     From the heavenly perspective, the beauty of the church is unsurpassed.

1.      Our experiences with imperfect people in churches may give us a negative impression.

2.      From the eternal perspective, it is the glorious, holy family of God.

D.     Only One has the right to disown the church – and He won’t (Eph. 5:25)

V.     Conclusion

A.     The choice to commit is our own.

1.      We can maintain a dating posture towards the church.

2.      Or we can stop dating the church, fall in love, and be completely committed to it.

B.     What choice will you make?

July 19, 2009
PreachingHelp.org

]]> http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/stop-dating-the-church-sermon-outline/feed 0 Marks of an Effective Church http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/marks-of-an-effective-church http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/marks-of-an-effective-church#comments Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:15:53 +0000 admin http://www.winchesterroad.org/?p=2753 Marks of an Effective Church
Ephesians 1:22-23

Sermon from June 28, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

]]> http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/marks-of-an-effective-church/feed 0 Marks of an Effective Church http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/marks-of-an-effective-church-sermon-outline http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/marks-of-an-effective-church-sermon-outline#comments Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:00:31 +0000 admin http://www.winchesterroad.org/?p=2732
Marks of an Effective Church
Ephesians 1:22-23

I.    Introduction
       A.  This lesson came from Steve Higginbotham’s wonderful PreachingHelp.org site.
       B.  Some churches are effective in their service to our Lord, and some are not so effective.
            1.  Effective churches are true to their duty.
            2.  Ineffective churches are a disappointment in accomplishing their purpose.
       C.  What makes for an effective congregation?
            1.  What should we consider to be essential to effectiveness?
            2.  How do we measure up – as individuals who are a part of it, and as a collective family?
II.   An Effective Church Is Christ Centered
       A.  Made up of individuals centered on Christ (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:22-23)
       B.  Made up of those whose hope is fixed on His salvation.
       C.  Have a desire to share His good news (Luke 19:10)
III.  An Effective Church Is Bound By Scripture
       A.  Jesus stated the importance of His words, the word of God (John 12:48-50)
       B.  The church remains effective when it remains in the word (I Corinthians 4:6)
       C.  Effective churches profit from study of God’s word (II Timothy 3:16-17)
IV.  An Effective Church Respects Diversity in Matters of Opinion
       A.  The New Testament makes clear that differing views are possible (Romans 14:1-5;13)
            1.  They will not agree on every point as they seek to be obedient to God (Romans 14:5-6)
            2.  They will respect individual accountability to God (Romans 14:10)
            3.  And they seek peace, mutual upbuilding (Romans 14:19; 15:2)
       B.  But these differences do not prevent unity, harmony (Psalm 133:1; Ephesians 4:2-3)
       C.  Distinction and discrimination must be made concerning types of error.
            1.  Errors that deter one from faithfully serving God.
            2.  Errors that do not deter one from faithfully serving God.
V.   An Effective Church has Visionary Leadership
       A.  Leadership in the church is not equivalent to what the world practices (Matthew 20:25-28)
            1.  The world has its own version of leadership, brand of leaders (Matthew 20:25)
            2.  The church follows Christ, who modeled His own style of leading (Matthew 20:28)
       B.  Leaders in the church must lead like Christ in their style of leadership.
            1.  A variety of leadership methods are possible, but not all are effective in the church.
            2.  Elders are to lead with vision (Hebrews 13:17 – “as those who will have to give an account”)
VI.  An Effective Church Brings About Lives That Are Changed
       A.  The church is more like an emergency room than a sterile laboratory.
       B.  We are to look after the spiritual healing of one another. (James 5:16; I John 5:14-16)
       C.  In order to do that, we must be “beam-free” (Matthew 7:1-5)
       D.  Our ministry is fulfilled, when we are involved in reconciling others (II Corinthians 5:18-19)
VII. Conclusion
       A.  Rather than the size, wealth, etc., it is commitment to Jesus that makes a church effective.
       B.  For each of us, making this church effective begins in our own lives.

Glenn Record
June 28, 2009
 

]]> http://www.winchesterroad.org/2009/marks-of-an-effective-church-sermon-outline/feed 0 The Beatitudes – Living Within the Body of Christ http://www.winchesterroad.org/2008/the-beatitudes-living-within-the-body-of-christ http://www.winchesterroad.org/2008/the-beatitudes-living-within-the-body-of-christ#comments Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:56:39 +0000 admin http://www.winchesterroad.org/?p=885 The Beatitudes – Living Within the Body of Christ
Sermon from: September 21, 2008
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon Outline is available here.

]]> http://www.winchesterroad.org/2008/the-beatitudes-living-within-the-body-of-christ/feed 1 Jesus and Truth – Kingdom and Church http://www.winchesterroad.org/2007/jesus-and-truth-kingdom-and-church http://www.winchesterroad.org/2007/jesus-and-truth-kingdom-and-church#comments Mon, 16 Jul 2007 02:48:22 +0000 admin http://www.winchesterroad.org/?p=275 Jesus and Truth – Kingdom and Church
Sermon from 15 Jul 2007.
Subject: Jesus and Truth – Kingdom and Church.
Speaker: Glenn Record

]]> http://www.winchesterroad.org/2007/jesus-and-truth-kingdom-and-church/feed 0