BodybuildingPart 2 of 2

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH;

and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:…

And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD,

and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you….

Zechariah 6:12-15

 

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Jude 1:20-21

Introduction:

1. The local church is an incredible creation and invention of Jehovah God by His Son Jesus the Christ.
2. Think Jacob’s Bethel … Moses’ tabernacle … Solomon’s temple … Zerubbabel’s temple … a NT church.
3. Your church is far better than any previous version and has Jesus by His candlestick Spirit in it today.
4. The fabulous aspects and features of the local church have been preached in great detail many times.
5. You should be giddy as a child in a toy store and as overwhelmed as the queen of Sheba with Solomon.
6. What Is a Church? … four PowerPoint sermons with 253 slides to see its 42 fabulous features … What is a Church? (1).
7. What Is a Great Church? … one PowerPoint sermon with 58 slides for 45 goals for churches … What is a Church? (1).
8. What Are Great Church Members? … one PowerPoint sermon of 49 slides for 27 needed traits … Great Church Members.
9. Higher Ground … audio sermon series of 20 sermons for 25 goals with a very detailed outline … Higher Ground (20 Sermons).
10. Love Is the Greatest … two PowerPoint sermons with 139 slides and six audio sermons … Love is the Greatest (2 Sermons), Love Is the Greatest – 2017 (6 Sermons).
11. For much more previous material taught, see the listing of other sermons at the bottom of this outline.
12. This may be the simplest sermon you have heard about the church, but the bottom list can fill it out.
13. Every part of the content in this outline or its delivery has been fully preached before more than once.
14. These few reminders are certainly not exhaustive but providential by God’s leading for soul renewal.

What Is It?

1. Bodybuilding. The use of progressive resistance exercise to build, control, and develop one’s muscles via hypertrophy for aesthetic appearance over functional ability or skill.
2. It is doing anything necessary to help make each member and the whole church better.
3. The Bible words are build/building as in the verses above and edify/edifying
4. Build. To erect a building. To construct, frame, raise, by gradual means (anything that is compared to an edifice, as a church). To build up the church or individuals in a church.

A Church Is a Building

1. Be careful. A church is not a physical building as most think, but it is a spiritual building.
2. The local church is a building, the house of God, the temple of God (I Cor 3:9,16-17; II Cor 6:16; Eph 2:20-22; II Thess 2:4; I Tim 3:15; I Peter 2:5-7).
3. While the O.T. had a literal building, the N.T. has a spiritual building of saved souls.

But a Church Is So Much More

1. It is not just a good idea for a Sunday activity – it is God’s chosen organism for worship.
2. See the sermons about the church above in the introduction. A local church is fabulous.
3. Certain people God picked … commit to love and serve each other … and meet together.
4. They fear and love God and His Son and want to help each other be ready for His return.

But I Worship at Home

1. God ordained human society for your profit (Proverbs 30:24-27; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
2. He also ordained the societies with value e.g. family, marriage, business, nation, church.
3. You cannot worship at home, or your pastor would be at home. God chose church life.
4. We do not join a local church to find a home in the church but a place to work for Christ.

Special Folks

1. You have heard how God wisely handpicked each person in your church (I Cor 12:18).
2. While His sovereignty applies to all aspects of your life, this choice is for family unity.
3. Christians do good to all men, but they treat the household of faith the best (Gal 6:10).
4. God knows which ones you will click with and which ones you will clash with. Amen!

One Another Conscience

1. God chose a creative, compound reciprocal pronoun … one another … for church duties.
2. If God chose each member and person in a church family, then each is quite important.
3. Both one and another are singular, with one the subject and another the object of a duty.
4. Train your conscience to care for each of the other members to serve them individually.
5. There are many uses (Gal 5:13,15,26; 6:2; Eph 4:2,25,32; I Thess 4:9,18; 5:11) … One Another Duties.

Members Are to Build It

1. See the two title texts above, one prophetic and the other instructive, about you building.
2. Build. To erect a building. To construct, frame, raise, by gradual means (anything that is compared to an edifice, as a church). To build up the church or individuals in a church.
3. David and Solomon built an exceedingly magnifical literal building, we a spiritual one.
4. While both of them went above and beyond for their church, you can do it also … Above and Beyond.

Members Are to Edify It

1. Edify. To build up (the church, the soul) in faith and holiness; to benefit spiritually; to strengthen, support.
2. Edifice. A building, usually a large and stately building, as a church, palace, or temple.
3. An edifice is a building, so edifying a church is the same as building up a church.
4. Learn to love the verb edify, for it is the word for action of building used in the Bible.

Are You an Edifier?

1. Members perfect a church by edification (Acts 9:31; Rom 14:19; 15:2; I Cor 8:1; 10:23; 14:3,4,5,12,14,17,26; II Cor 10:8; 12:19; 13:10; Eph 4:12,16,29; I Thes 5:11; I Tim 1:4).
2. Examine all you do to make sure it edifies, even liberty (Romans 14:19; I Cor 10:23).
3. Salvation from the coming wrath should cause us to comfort and edify each other before waiting on pastors for their part and also to be at peace to help pastors (I Thess 5:9-14).

The Bible Builds Us

1. Paul told Timothy of perilous church times, so he said, Preach the word (II Tim 4:1-4).
2. Paul exhorted elders at Ephesus to the word of God’s grace for building (Acts 20:32).
3. God’s inspired scriptures can make a faithful pastor perfect for his job (II Tim 3:16-17).
4. It is the inspired scriptures that also can make each member perfect (Psalm 119:128).

Love Bible Preaching

1. What is Bible preaching? Reading the Bible distinctly and giving the sense (Neh 8:8).
2. What is Bible preaching? Boring presentation of truth to be endured (II Timothy 4:3-4).
3. Each member should crave to hear it as much as they did in Ezra’s time (Neh 8:1-12).
4. The warning is to not despise preaching, so it must be a possible danger (I Thess 5:20).

Individual Commitment to Christ

1. Each must walk, be rooted and built up, stablished, and thankful in Christ (Col 2:6-7).
2. A church is a congregation of individual believers; it can only be as good as its members.
3. The difference among members by personal love of Christ is huge but should not be.
4. The Bible recognizes strong and spiritual members to help (Romans 15:1-3; Gal 6:1-2).
5. No matter how much you know and do, Paul taught yet more (I Thess 4:1; II John 1:8).
6. So we ask candidates for membership to promise in question #14, Will you seek to walk close to the Lord and away from the world to maintain a godly and holy life to be a spiritual asset to this church?

Belly Worshipper Enemies

1. Paul tearfully warned the Philippians often about the enemies of Christ (Phil 3:18-19).
2. He called them belly worshippers to be destroyed for loving carnal, worldly pleasures.
3. The precise definition for belly worship to be an enemy of Christ? Mind earthly things!
4. A church is people called out of the world, so they should hate it (Jas 4:4; I Jn 2:15-17).
5. More of belly worshippers and Christ enemies as Paul called carnal Christians … Belly Worshippers.

Are You a Unifier?

1. Paul told Ephesus to endeavouring to keep the church unified in the Spirit (Eph 4:1-3).
2. He wrote the Hebrews and warned against any bitterness springing up (Heb 12:14-16).
3. God hates sowing discord, unsettling churches by questions, fence-sitting (Pr 6:16-19).
4. Unity is key (Ro 12:3-5; I Cor 12:12-14; 1:10; Phil 1:27; 2:1-2; 3:16; 4:2; I Pet 3:8-9).
5. So we ask candidates for membership to promise in question #11, Will you work to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace as peacemakers, rejecting bitterness and strife, and not sowing discord?

Sin of Listening

1. Sowers of discord hurt a church only if you are foolish enough to listen and not rebuke.
2. The angry countenance rule for backbiters also works for church meddlers (Pr 25:23).
3. Solomon condemned bad speech, but he also warned about listening (Pr 17:4; 19:27).
4. Questioning authority or established truth is not what presidents, parents, bosses need.
5. The wonderful thing about a sovereign God is that He sees all oppression (Eccl 5:8).
6. For a thorough study of, The Sin of Listening, review this PowerPoint sermon … The Sin of Listening.

Trusting the Pastor

1. God expects you to trust him and submit to his rule (Hebrews 13:7,17; I Timothy 5:17).
2. It is no different than children trusting parents and a wife trusting her husband in ruling.
3. Children do not protect themselves by questioning parents or wives by pushing back.
4. No man takes this role for himself but is chosen by other ordained bishops back to Paul.
5. So we ask candidates for membership to promise in question #10, Will you submit to the pastor in areas where he must rule, such as defining gray areas, liberties, and judging in subjective situations?

Church Discipline Trust

1. Each legitimate pastor is an ordained man, and he fearfully makes decisions before God.
2. It can never be a tell-all session, for he knows more than you need to know to follow.
3. It is also his job to protect the reputations of all, even sinners, from excessive disclosure.
4. His presentations to the church are not for you to judge, for Jesus and he have judged.
5. We do not vote except for meeting times (or releasing brethren), so stop needing more.
6. Why not hassle shoppers at Walmart about President Trump not telling you enough?

Love Is the Greatest

1. Brotherly love has been taught quarterly and this work, Love Is the Greatest … Love is the Greatest (2 Sermons), Love Is the Greatest – 2017 (6 Sermons).
2. Emphasis on brotherly love in the N.T. is real (John 13:34-25; Rom 12:9-10; I Pet 1:22).
3. So we ask candidates for membership to promise in question #8, Will you love these people, serve them, forgive them, forbear them, and allow them their Christian liberties as you have opportunity?

Charity Is the Greatest

1. For sake of the distinction, let us define charity as the negative aspect of love, to forgive.
2. Of the 15 definitions of charity, see that about 13 of them are negative (I Cor 13:4-7).
3. By the negative aspect of love, we mean treating each other mercifully for their faults.
4. Charity is the bond of perfectness, mortar holding stones together (Col 3:14; I Pet 4:8).

One- or Two-Way Street

1. Most people will only love those that love them, for they are selfishly depraved for self.
2. God loved us as enemies, and Paul loved Corinth as enemies (Rom 5:8; II Cor 12:15).
3. We do not attend church primarily to see what we can get but rather what we can give.
4. So we ask candidates for membership to promise in question #15, Will you remember that the church is where you love and serve others much more than where you are loved and served by others?

Is It the Golden Rule?

1. What we call the golden rule is our Lord’s practical rule for loving others (Matt 7:12).
2. Paul used a similar definition to apply the Ten Commandments to love (Rom 13:8-10).
3. It is diamond love (to help another be perfect before God now and at His coming) rather than platinum love (treating another as they prefer) or gold love (treating as you prefer).

Embrace Defrauding

1. If I love and submit to church members like you say, I could be defrauded. Excellent.
2. Paul was sick of Corinth using Small Claims Court for their offences (I Cor 6:1-8).
3. Offended? Pass over them (Pr 19:11). If you cannot, careful confronting (Matt 18:15).
4. Three ways to resolve conflict: overlook it, reconcile the offended, inform the offender.
5. These are the Bible’s ways to maintain the peace with each member (Matthew 5:21-26).

Prayer Warriors

1. Christians love each other, so they will do the best they can … pray (Eph 6:18; Jas 5:16).
2. They will remember the power of intercessory prayer (Luke 21:32; Col 4:12) … Power of Intercessory Prayer (#1).
3. Since the church is a spiritual temple of the Spirit, then prayer in the Spirit will benefit.
4. The church provides a monthly calendar with members and their children for each day.

Be a Peacemaker

1. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9).
2. Peace must rule in your heart before it rules character and conduct to others (Col 3:15).
3. There will be many opportunities. Only make peace. Never disturb peace, unless wise.
4. Peace is key (Romans 14:17-19; II Cor 13:11; Gal 5:22; I Thess 5:13; James 3:14-18).

Wear Pretty Shoes

1. God knew you would be an ugly member, so He warned the rest of us (I Cor 12:23).
2. He sees and knows everything, including how you host only friends (Luke 14:12-14).
3. So He reminded you that He sends His sunshine and rain on enemies (Matt 5:43-48).
4. Your reward is in heaven when He remembers every such deed done (Matt 25:31-46).
5. If you need more on this humbling fact or noble duty, Why Wear Pretty Shoes?

Big-Boy Duties

1. Pastors have a huge responsibility to build the church, but you have your own as well.
2. Learn them (Rom 15:1-3; Gal 6:1-2; I Thess 5:14; Heb 3:12-13; 10:24; James 5:19-20)?
3. Stop writing the pastor. Stop stewing over it. Go to your brother/sister and gently help.
4. Are you a tree of life? What an opportunity to let others thrive by you (Proverbs 11:30).
5. We reject the false mandate of the Great Commission, but we love souls (Jas 5:19-20).
6. We know that souls and situations require different actions, so relax (Jude 1:22-23).

No Junk Here

1. Paul laid one foundation for each N.T. church – Christ Jesus the Lord (I Cor 3:10-17).
2. Jesus Christ must always be preeminent, not even truth (John 5:39; I Cor 1:22-24; 2:1-5; Gal 6:14; Eph 3:14-19; Phil 2:1-11; Col 1:18; I Tim 3:15-16; Rev 2:1-5; 3:17-20).
3. Those who talk about truth all the time find comfort in something the devils believe.
4. Measure yourself and your children by their independent adoration of Jesus God’s Son.

Church Attendance, Sure

1. When we often mock church attendance, it is because it proves nothing good by itself.
2. Yet church attendance is an apostolic command as a priority for Christians (Heb 10:25).
3. But the purpose for attendance must be known and followed (Heb 10:23-25; 3:12-13).
4. So we ask candidates for membership to promise in question #12, Will you faithfully assemble with us every time you can and strive to perfect this church for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Considering One Another

1. Church attendance includes exhorting one another as we await His return (Heb 10:25).
2. Our membership role also includes considering one another for their lives (Heb 10:24).
3. How can you provoke? By exhortation, by encouragement, by example, by emulation.
4. Paul assumed by the Spirit that being in the same body required empathy (Heb 13:3).
5. We rejoice with the honored, and we weep with the suffering (Rom 12:15; I Cor 12:26).

First Things First

1. Jesus gave us a simple rule that all sincere Christians remember and practice (Mat 6:33).
2. What does first mean to you? Second? Maybe? Convenience? About the love of God?
3. So … when planning vacations or deciding to attend or not attend lesser events … first!
4. This does not mean your job or your vacation do not justify absences … just be zealous.

Flush Your Liberty

1. Yes, we all know, that in matters of Bible silence, you can do as you wish (Rom 14:22).
2. Yet, the Bible does not allow any disputing about such ridiculous things (Rom 14:1-4).
3. You must not discourage a brother without your liberty (Rom 14:10-21; I Cor 8:1-13).
4. Paul knew God’s N.T. law allowed many things, but not all edified (I Cor 6:12; 10:23).

Spectators Unacceptable

1. The RCC was made for spectators to watch their hocus-pocus show with a cracker Jesus.
2. Baptist churches are lively places of interaction to edify each other member. See above.
3. Each part and joint – each member with his/her gifts – must fully engage (Eph 4:16).
4. A church is a body and missing or wounded parts hinder or halt profitable function.
5. Not engaging fully – fence sitting – watching – is what? Sloth, rebellion, or scorn.

Hospitality Without Grudging

1. A church full of the Spirit will eat in each other’s homes (Acts 2:46; 16:15; Rom 12:13).
2. And to the man after God’s own heart, David, the more the merrier (II Samuel 6:19).
3. Yes, if need be, a restaurant is okay, but usually not as personal or intimate as at home.
4. God knew you may begrudge this kindness (some never do it), so he warned (I Pet 4:9).
5. Small group fellowship dinners we have had for several months have turned out well.

Pray and Seek Spiritually

1. Some Christians pray for stuff they want to be happy, like God is a bubble gum machine.
2. God could give them what they pray for – like quail – yet send soul leanness (Ps 106:15).
3. Thus we emphasize spiritual prayer requests and trust God to add the stuff (Matt 6:33).

Conclusion:

1. Love a phrase, All for one, and one for all, to emphasize our mutual support, solidarity, and collective strength, where the church protects each member and each member acts for the benefit of the church.
2. Our local church is better than Jacob’s, Moses’, Solomon’s, and Zerubbabel’s. Celebrate it. Build it.
3. Will you hear the call from the Head of our church, Jesus Christ the Lord, to make it better and better?

Other Study:

1. What Is a Church? … four PowerPoint sermons with 253 slides to see its 42 fabulous features … What is a Church? (1).
2. What Is a Great Church? … one PowerPoint sermon with 58 slides for 45 goals for churches … What is a Church? (1).
3. What Are Great Church Members? … one PowerPoint sermon of 49 slides for 27 needed traits … Great Church Members.
4. Higher Ground … audio sermon series of 20 sermons for 25 goals with a very detailed outline … Higher Ground (20 Sermons).
5. Love Is the Greatest … two PowerPoint sermons with 139 slides and six detailed sermons … Love is the Greatest (2 Sermons), Love Is the Greatest – 2017 (6 Sermons).
6. God’s Secret Society.
7. Glory of the Church.
8. Purpose of the Church.
9. Life of the Church.
10. Membership Questions … Membership Questions (1).
11. A Preaching Service.
12. Perilous Times.
13. Ye Cannot Serve the LORD … Ye Cannot Serve the LORD (#1).
14. One Another Duties.
15. Which Every Joint Supplies.
16. Building Up Yourselves.
17. Ancient Landmarks.
18. Furniture and Fixtures … Furniture & Fixtures (2 Sermons).
19. Blood Is Thicker than Blood.
20. Where Is Your Tent?
21. Why Wear Pretty Shoes?.
22. Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
23. What Every Joint Supplies … Which Every Joint Supplies.
24. Exposition of Jude (for 1:20) … Jude (10 Sermons).
25. Priorities of Fearful Pastors … Priorities of Fearful Pastors (1).
26. Sin of Listening.
27. Exceeding Magnifical.
28. Above and Beyond.
29. Real Insider Information … Real Insider Information (1).
30. Pillar and Ground of the Truth.
31. True Worshippers.
32. Belly Worshippers.
33. Lesson of the Locust.
34. Domestiques for Christ, What Is a Domestique? (2 Sermons).
35. The Day of Pentecost … The Day of Pentecost (8 Sermons).
36. More CHURCH Sermons … Audio Sermons: Church.
37. More CHURCH Documents … Church.