Sunday Sermon
Devil-proofing the church
By Ptr. Gerry Gregoire
Audio Sermon: (Listen)

Realizing now the importance of commitment (Pastor Paul’s message)
Also, realizing that God allows certain trials into our lives to make us stronger Christians (Sister Maria’s message).

Now we want to turn to how we as individuals can devil-proof our church. Making it resilient and able to ward off any attacks or schemes of Satan and his demons.

+ God is giving us 4 scriptural ways to accomplish this:

1) I will protect the unity of my church
2) I will share the responsibility of my church
3) I will serve the ministry of my church
4) I will support the testimony of my church

Let’s take them one at a time and see what the scriptures say:

A) I will protect the unity of my church.

....by acting in love towards other members
....by refusing to gossip
....by following the leaders

1. Romans 14:19 (amplified) ”so let us definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual up building (edification and development) of one another.”

2. Romans 15:5, 6 “now may the God who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual and full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may (unanimously) with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the god and father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the messiah).”

3. 1 Peter 1:22 “since by your obedience to the truth through the Holy Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren, (see that you) love one another fervently from a pure heart.”

4. Ephesians 4:29 “let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor un-wholesome or worthless talk (ever) come out of your mouth. But only such (speech) as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (god’s favor) to those who hear it.”

B) I will share in the responsibility of my church.

....by praying for its healthy growth.
....by inviting the unchurched to attend.
....by warmly welcoming those who visit.

1. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 “we are ever giving thanks to God for all of you, continually mentioning (you when engaged) in our prayers.”

2. Luke 14:23 “go out into the country....and urge anyone you find to come in, so that my house will be full.”

3. Romans 15: 7 “so warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified.”

C) I will serve the ministry of my church.

....by discovering my gifts and talents.
....by being equipped to serve by my pastors.
....by developing a servant’s heart.

1. 1 Peter 4:10 “as each of you has receive a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment, employ it for one another as (befits) good trustees of god’s many sided grace (faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor).”

2. Ephesians 4:11, 12 (read from amplified version)

3. Philippians 2:3, 4, 7 “each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.... Who took on the nature of a servant.”

D) I will support the testimony of my church.

....by attending faithfully.
....by living a Godly life.
....by giving regularly.

1. Hebrews 10:25 “not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together (as believers) as is the habit of some people, bur admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.”

2. Philippians 1:27 “only be sure as citizens so conduct yourself (that) your manner of life (will be) worthy of the good news (the gospel) of Christ, so that whether I (do) come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you: that you are standing firm in united spirit and purpose, striving side by side and contending with a single mind for the faith of the glad tidings (the gospel).”

3. 1 Corinthians 16:2 “each one of you, on the first day of each week, should set aside a specific sum of money in proportion to what you have earned and use it for the offering.”

4. Leviticus 27:30 “a tenth of all you produce is the Lord’s and it is holy.”