I Peter 1:1-2
I've been lifting up the Biblical and Presbyterian understanding of membership (in that order). This sermon lifted up the Marks of the Church. The Book of Order (BOO) is referenced for the marks.
I Peter Introduction
Congregations where in the provinces of Modern day Turkey. They highlight the importance of place and geography.
God’s elect: he has you in place for a purpose
God has purpose for the
church in all places, and all times.
Through the
sanctifying work of the Spirit
For the purpose
of obeying Jesus Christ, sprinkled with his blood
Unity:
Chosen according
to the foreknowledge of God.
“unity is God’s gift to the
church in Jesus Christ” (BOO)
It is God’s call upon us that
is our unity. It isn’t the demonstration
of being united. We already are united
in Christ. We are a body, one. If we don’t feel unity, we should look only
to ourselves, what should I do to help affirm something that God has declared
to be true.
As a body, we are to care for
our members, fellow parts of the body.
“to become priests for one
another, praying fore the world and for one another and sharing the various
gifts God has given to each Christian for the benefit of the whole
community” (BOO)
Holy:
The sanctifying
work of the Holy Spirit
“holiness if God’s gift to
the Church in Jesus Christ”
holy means: To be set apart
“Just as he who
called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written, “Be holy,
because I am holy” (quote from Leviticus)
How are we made holy? Sprinkled with the blood of Christ
Catholic:
“on the whole”
Universal, widespread
“the whole being represented
in each local church”
A term of contrast to
describe a faith that is not heretical.
“what is believed everywhere,
always and by all” ---Vincent of Lerins
--often, scripture, creeds, sacraments, ministry
(Catholic notes taken from Westminster
Apostolic:
Christ sent his
disciples, Tertullian, “the churches
come from the apostles, as the apostles had come from Christ and Christ from
God” (WDCT)
Continue the faithfulness of
the witness to Christ first done by the Apostles
“sent” Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.”
And with that he breathed on them and said, “receive the Holy Spirit”.
“For the purpose
of obeying Jesus Christ”
The jobs of Members: live the unity that is in Jesus Christ
To be holy, so that we also
live as a holy congregation
Faith isn’t just our faith,
we are part of a faith bigger than us
Message has made its way to
us, who are we getting the message to?
No comments:
Post a Comment