The Power of Belonging



THE POWER OF BELONGING
Pastor Mark Johnson
September 11, 2011
 
Ephesians 2:18–22
How do God-loving people impact a culture?
Zechariah 4:6 
Here is the plan of Jesus: He was going to the cross to satisfy the need for justice. But before He left, He would put the first cells in place of a new Body for His Spirit to dwell in; the Church.
1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:10–16
  1. He who descended and ascended – Jesus. 
  2. Jesus gave leaders - Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
  3. To build up the Body of Christ - The Church.
  4. For the purpose of unity and fullness in Christ.
  5. So that we won’t get messed up with
    1. false doctrine
    2. mankind arguments.
    3. deceitful schemes.
  6. So that we will grow up in Christ
    1. equipped to work properly.
    2. so the body will grow evangelism.
    3. so that love grows in the world.
God’s Plan: The Body of Christ growing in the fullness of Jesus, avoiding mess ups so that we work properly and can change the world.
He would unite these people and they would
  1. let the Spirit form them into His image.
  2. let the Spirit form them into a body to show His glory to the world.
Ephesians 2:18–22
  1. Through Jesus we are now fellow citizens and members of God’s household.
  2. This started with the apostles and prophets.
  3. Christ Jesus Himself is the Cornerstone.
  4. In whom the whole structure grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
  5. The church is a dwelling place for the Spirit of God.  
The Spirit of God dwells in us individually, but the Spirit of God also dwells in us corporately so that:
  1. we will be filled with the fullness of God.
  2. Jesus will be glorified through the Church.
Ephesians 3:14–21
  1. Strength and power in our inner being comes from the Spirit by prayer.
  2. This power is grounded in love - wanting the best for one another.
  3. Now you can comprehend, with all the saints, the love of Christ and the fullness of God.
  4. God can do more than we can ask or think of.
  5. To Him be glory in the Church. 
God’s Spirit dwells in the Church and glorifies Himself through the Church.
Jesus prayed, “May they be one so the world will know you sent me”. 
Do you see the power of belonging, and the danger and loss of going it alone?

« Back to All Sermons