Reg
03-21-2006, 10:07 AM
I’m not sure if our Senior Pastor is leading us in this direction to become aware of what
Scrupulosity is or not, but his current series of sermons are terrific, discussing what the Church
really is. He just started them last Sunday and the first one is not posted yet. What is a church?
Here’s the link to the Sunday Morning Messages.
http://www.bramaleabaptist.org/contact/messages.php
I expect the first message, “What is a church?” should be posted soon.
Here’s a couple of point he made:
The church is a Body not a Building
The church is People not Programs
The church is a Family not a Firm or business
It’s not an organization with a hierarchy.
The scriptures he used are Eph 4:11-16. I especially noted verse 16.
This is what it says in a few translations:
Ephesians 4:16 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according
to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the
edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:16 (New Living Translation)
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
16 Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own
special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16 (The Message)
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
16 He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
Ephesians 4:16 (Amplified Bible)
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and
firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with
power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:16 (English Standard Version)
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of
Good News Publishers.
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped,
when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:16 (New Life Version)
New Life Version (NLV)
Copyright © 1969 by Christian Literature International
16 Christ has put each part of the church in its right place. Each part helps other parts. This is
what is needed to keep the whole body together. In this way, the whole body grows strong in
love.
Ephesians 4:16 (Worldwide English (New Testament))
Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)
Copyright © by SOON Educational Publications
16 The whole body is joined and held together by every joint that it has. It is from Christ that the
whole body grows as each different part does its work. It grows so that it becomes stronger in love.
Today few churches talk about the church being healthy? That is what I want to focus on,
CHURCH HEALTH! Healthy things grow naturally. The main job should be if you want things
to grow is to keep them healthy. Too many churches focus on church growth instead of Church Health. So, the way I see it is for churches to put the horse before the cart and not the other way around. Focus on Church
Health NOT Church Growth. Jesus said, “I will build My Church......” So why don’t we let Him
and in the meantime focus on being healthy? It’s a message I hope the churches will get. Too bad
many don’t. That’s why I’m personally encouraged in the newest series of sermons on “What is a church?”
Take what you want and leave the rest.
Reg
Scrupulosity is or not, but his current series of sermons are terrific, discussing what the Church
really is. He just started them last Sunday and the first one is not posted yet. What is a church?
Here’s the link to the Sunday Morning Messages.
http://www.bramaleabaptist.org/contact/messages.php
I expect the first message, “What is a church?” should be posted soon.
Here’s a couple of point he made:
The church is a Body not a Building
The church is People not Programs
The church is a Family not a Firm or business
It’s not an organization with a hierarchy.
The scriptures he used are Eph 4:11-16. I especially noted verse 16.
This is what it says in a few translations:
Ephesians 4:16 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according
to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the
edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:16 (New Living Translation)
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
16 Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own
special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16 (The Message)
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
16 He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
Ephesians 4:16 (Amplified Bible)
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and
firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with
power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:16 (English Standard Version)
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of
Good News Publishers.
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped,
when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:16 (New Life Version)
New Life Version (NLV)
Copyright © 1969 by Christian Literature International
16 Christ has put each part of the church in its right place. Each part helps other parts. This is
what is needed to keep the whole body together. In this way, the whole body grows strong in
love.
Ephesians 4:16 (Worldwide English (New Testament))
Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)
Copyright © by SOON Educational Publications
16 The whole body is joined and held together by every joint that it has. It is from Christ that the
whole body grows as each different part does its work. It grows so that it becomes stronger in love.
Today few churches talk about the church being healthy? That is what I want to focus on,
CHURCH HEALTH! Healthy things grow naturally. The main job should be if you want things
to grow is to keep them healthy. Too many churches focus on church growth instead of Church Health. So, the way I see it is for churches to put the horse before the cart and not the other way around. Focus on Church
Health NOT Church Growth. Jesus said, “I will build My Church......” So why don’t we let Him
and in the meantime focus on being healthy? It’s a message I hope the churches will get. Too bad
many don’t. That’s why I’m personally encouraged in the newest series of sermons on “What is a church?”
Take what you want and leave the rest.
Reg