1/18/2011 © C. L. Hale Ministries, Inc. God Chasers Capturing God and Being Captivated by Him The Church & Commitment The Church & Commitment January 18,

1/18/20111/18/2011© C. L. Hale Ministries, Inc.© C. L. Hale Ministries, Inc.

God ChasersGod ChasersCapturing God and Being Capturing God and Being

Captivated by HimCaptivated by Him

The Church &The Church & CommitmentCommitment

January 18, 2011January 18, 2011


The Church – The Church – Discovering God’s Discovering God’s

purpose for the Church purpose for the Church in the life of every in the life of every person in Christ!person in Christ!


Commitment – Commitment – Discovering how gifted Discovering how gifted

we are and God’s we are and God’s purpose for giving us purpose for giving us such rich resources in such rich resources in

Christ.Christ.


We are born into the We are born into the universal family of God. universal family of God.

God’s family is what God’s family is what constitutes the Church in constitutes the Church in

the world.the world.


The first word denotedThe first word denoted “church” in the “church” in the

scriptures is the Greek scriptures is the Greek word ekklesia.word ekklesia.


Ekklesia comes from the Ekklesia comes from the root word, ekklea - ek – root word, ekklea - ek – “out of” and Kaleo – “to “out of” and Kaleo – “to

call”. call”. It refers to a “called out” It refers to a “called out”

assembly.assembly.


The Church is the The Church is the “assembly of the called out “assembly of the called out

ones.”ones.”


The second Greek word The second Greek word from which we get our from which we get our

English word “church” is English word “church” is kuriakos.kuriakos.


Kuriakos means Kuriakos means “belonging to the Lord“belonging to the Lord..””


The Church is the The Church is the assembly of called out assembly of called out

persons who belong to the persons who belong to the Lord.Lord.


But you are a chosen people, a But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a

people belonging to God, that people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of you may declare the praises of

him who called you out of him who called you out of darkness into the marvelous darkness into the marvelous

light.light.

- 1 Peter 2:9-10- 1 Peter 2:9-10

1/18/20111/18/2011 © C. L. Ministries, Inc.© C. L. Ministries, Inc.

The Church was:The Church was:

• A mystery hidden in the heart of God -Ephesians 3: 8-11

• Revealed to Peter by Christ – And I tell you that you are Peter, and on

this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

– Matthew 16:18


The Church was:The Church was:

• Established and is sustained by the sacrificial life of Christ, who is its Head “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” - Ephesians 1:22-23

• Manifested in physical form at Pentecost.


There are three Biblical There are three Biblical types (symbols) of the types (symbols) of the Church in Scriptures.Church in Scriptures.


1. The Bride of Christ – 1. The Bride of Christ – Ephesians 5:23-32Ephesians 5:23-32

• Every bride has a specific day when she is joined to her husband, so it is with Christ and us.

• There must be a specific time when we commit to Christ.

• Once we commit to Christ, we must submit to Him. • A good husband takes care of His bride, just as

Christ takes care of His church; He feeds, nurtures and cares for it.

• A bride is to live a pure life, faithful to her husband • When Christ returns, He is coming back for a bride

beautifully adorned for Him - Revelations 21:2


2. God’s building - His Temple, 2. God’s building - His Temple, the habitation where He lives by the habitation where He lives by

His Spirit - Ephesians 2:19-22His Spirit - Ephesians 2:19-22• Christ is the Foundation • Christ is also the Cornerstone – Ephesians

2:19 – 22 • As believers, we are “living stones” that are

being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. – I Peter 2:4-5

• Every building has a purpose


The primary purpose of the The primary purpose of the church is to bring God church is to bring God

glory.glory.

Ephesians 3:21Ephesians 3:21


The Great Commission: Therefore, go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the earth.

- Matthew 28:16


The Primary Purpose of the The Primary Purpose of the Church is to:Church is to:

• Win People to Christ

• Mature People in Christ

• Send People out to Represent Christ


“To become a City of Hope where persons will impact and transform this present world into the Kingdom of

God.”


• Exalt the Savior - Worship

• Evangelize the Sinner - Evangelism

• Equip the Saint – Christian Education

• Empower through Stewardship – Giving/Serving

• Elevate Society - Outreach


3. The Body of Christ – 3. The Body of Christ – Romans 12:3-8 Romans 12:3-8

I Corinthians 12:12-13, 27I Corinthians 12:12-13, 27


The Spirit baptizes us The Spirit baptizes us into the Body of Christinto the Body of Christ


The word “baptized” comes from The word “baptized” comes from the Greek word that has two the Greek word that has two meanings, one literal and the meanings, one literal and the

other figurative. The word other figurative. The word literally means “to submerge, literally means “to submerge,

immerse, or to dip.” The immerse, or to dip.” The figuratively means is “to be figuratively means is “to be

identified with.”identified with.”


In His baptism, Jesus In His baptism, Jesus identified with us. In our identified with us. In our baptism, we identify with baptism, we identify with

Him!Him!


• Baptism is a sacrament, “an outward sign of an inward reality.”

• Baptism also identifies us with the Church, the body of Christ, both universal and local.


The Universal ChurchThe Universal Church


There is also the local There is also the local assembly by which the assembly by which the

Body of Christ manifests Body of Christ manifests itself, physically, in many itself, physically, in many

locations.locations.


Eight traits of a spiritually Eight traits of a spiritually healthy church that were present healthy church that were present in the first church in Jerusalemin the first church in Jerusalem..

1. Biblical Preaching and Teaching 2. Prayer 3. Fellowship/Unity 4. Worship 5. Giving6. Joy 7. Evangelism 8. Committed Membership


Every Member in Every Member in MinistryMinistry


There is perhaps a There is perhaps a misconception about misconception about

the nature of the the nature of the church!church!


The nature of the The nature of the church, any church, and church, any church, and particularly this church, particularly this church, is that it must always be is that it must always be

in process, always in in process, always in the state of becoming.the state of becoming.


A dead church cannot A dead church cannot represent a living Lord represent a living Lord

to a dying world.to a dying world.


The nature of an alive The nature of an alive church - a growing church - a growing

church that is on its way church that is on its way somewhere - is that it somewhere - is that it

must be a church under must be a church under construction.construction.


There is also a There is also a misunderstanding of misunderstanding of what it means to be a what it means to be a

member of the church.member of the church.


Joining the church is Joining the church is only the beginning.only the beginning.


There is so much more to There is so much more to being born of the Spirit.being born of the Spirit.


Our goal is perfection, Our goal is perfection, Our aim is maturity, Our aim is maturity,

Our mission is to Our mission is to become saints.become saints.


A saint is one in whom A saint is one in whom Christ lives again.Christ lives again.


We are called to build We are called to build from the inside out!from the inside out!


The process of The process of constructing or building constructing or building

up the body of Christ up the body of Christ and its members is an and its members is an

inside job.inside job.


But to each one of us grace But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ has been given as Christ apportioned it. It was He apportioned it. It was He

who gave some to be who gave some to be apostles, some to be apostles, some to be

prophets, prophets,

-Ephesians 4:7, 11-14, 16-Ephesians 4:7, 11-14, 16


some to be evangelists, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare and teachers, to prepare

God’s people for works of God’s people for works of service, so that the body of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until Christ may be built up until

we all reachwe all reach-Ephesians 4:7, 11-14, 16-Ephesians 4:7, 11-14, 16


From him the whole body, From him the whole body, joined and held together by joined and held together by every supporting ligament, every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up grows and builds itself up in love as each part does in love as each part does

its work.its work. -Ephesians 4:7, 11-14, 16-Ephesians 4:7, 11-14, 16


The Greek word for gift The Greek word for gift is “charisma.” Its plural is “charisma.” Its plural

is charismata.is charismata.


A spiritual gift is a God given A spiritual gift is a God given supernatural capacity, or supernatural capacity, or

power bestowed on us by the power bestowed on us by the Holy Spirit, to enable us to Holy Spirit, to enable us to

function as a member of the function as a member of the body of Christ, in such a way body of Christ, in such a way

that God is glorified and that God is glorified and believers are edified.believers are edified.


During our natural birth we During our natural birth we were giving certain talents were giving certain talents and abilities through which and abilities through which

we can fulfill our purpose and we can fulfill our purpose and achieve great things, make a achieve great things, make a

living and be a blessing to the living and be a blessing to the world.world.


There is not always a There is not always a distinction between our distinction between our natural abilities and our natural abilities and our

spiritual gifts.spiritual gifts.


The “gifted” people of the The “gifted” people of the world have “natural” world have “natural”

abilities, but the Holy Spirit abilities, but the Holy Spirit gives “supernatural” gives “supernatural”

abilities.abilities.


Spiritual gifts are Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities that supernatural abilities that

take our natural abilities to take our natural abilities to the next level; because the next level; because

they are meant to express they are meant to express and manifest the power and manifest the power and grace of God in our and grace of God in our lives and in the church.lives and in the church.


There are a variety of giftsThere are a variety of gifts..

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working but the same God works all of them in all men and women.

– I Corinthians 12:4 - 6


There are 21 gifts listed There are 21 gifts listed in the New Testament.in the New Testament.


• Special gifts of leadership such as Apostles, Prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.

• Speaking gifts, prophecy, teaching, exhortation, the word of wisdom and word of knowledge.

• Serving gifts: helps, leadership, administration, giving, showing mercy, discerning of spirits, faith and hospitality.

• Sign gifts of tongues and interpretation of tongues, healing and miracles.


Every gift that is needed Every gift that is needed to fulfill the vision for to fulfill the vision for this church is in the this church is in the

house.house.


When you add your own When you add your own unique personality and unique personality and

style in the employment of style in the employment of your gifting, you bring your gifting, you bring

something that is something that is distinctive and distinctive and

indispensable to the body.indispensable to the body.


Each one of us has been Each one of us has been a gift by God for the a gift by God for the

benefit of the church.benefit of the church.


Now to each one the Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common is given for the common

good.good.

- I Corinthians 12:7- I Corinthians 12:7


The gifts are not toys, The gifts are not toys, but tools for building up but tools for building up

the body.the body.


Do nothing out of selfish Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others in humility consider others

better than yourselves. Each better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to of you should look not only to your own interests but also to your own interests but also to

the interests of others.the interests of others.- Philippians 2:3-4- Philippians 2:3-4


Each one should use Each one should use whatever gift he or she has whatever gift he or she has

received to serve other, received to serve other, faithfully administering faithfully administering

God’s grace in its various God’s grace in its various forms.forms.

- I Peter 4:10- I Peter 4:10


Our gifts are gifts of grace Our gifts are gifts of grace to us and through us.to us and through us. The The

word charisma is also word charisma is also related to the word related to the word

“charis”, which means “charis”, which means “grace”.“grace”.


Gifts are given for the Gifts are given for the edification of others.edification of others.


The word “prepare” in the The word “prepare” in the Greek is Greek is ““Katarkismo” and Katarkismo” and

it talks about “mending, it talks about “mending, repairing, putting broken repairing, putting broken

things back together things back together again.”again.”


Some folks are not Some folks are not using their gifts.using their gifts.


““The church is a lot like a The church is a lot like a football game. In a stadium football game. In a stadium there are 22,000 people who there are 22,000 people who desperately need exercise, desperately need exercise, sitting down cheering on 22 sitting down cheering on 22

persons on the field who persons on the field who desperately need rest.”desperately need rest.”

- Warren Wiersbe- Warren Wiersbe


Some of you are hiding Some of you are hiding your giftsyour gifts!!


Others of you are Others of you are hoardinghoarding your giftsyour gifts!!


Others of you are using Others of you are using your gifts in the world your gifts in the world but not in the church.but not in the church.


Ch_rch is U!Ch_rch is U!


Constructing the church is Constructing the church is an inside job, and it is also an inside job, and it is also

a shared experience.a shared experience.


Just as each of us has one Just as each of us has one body with many members body with many members and these members do not and these members do not all have the same function, all have the same function,

so in Christ we who are so in Christ we who are many form one body and many form one body and

each member belongs to all each member belongs to all the others.the others. - Romans 12:4- Romans 12:4


Not only do we belong to Not only do we belong to one another, we one another, we needneed one one

another.another.


It is in the process of It is in the process of participating in the development participating in the development of others that each one of us is of others that each one of us is

developed.developed. Failure to Failure to participate, to become actively participate, to become actively

involved in this shared involved in this shared experience is to risk impeding experience is to risk impeding the process of blessings for the process of blessings for

others as well as oneself.others as well as oneself.


Involvement in the church Involvement in the church is not extra-curricular, it is is not extra-curricular, it is

essential to your health and essential to your health and well being.well being.


Christians aren’t perfect, Christians aren’t perfect, we’re just forgiven.we’re just forgiven.


The greatest gift of all is The greatest gift of all is love.love.


I Corinthians 12:31 – I Corinthians 12:31 – I Corinthians 13I Corinthians 13


God’s expectation of us is God’s expectation of us is that we would discover, that we would discover,

develop and use our gifts develop and use our gifts for His glory and for the for His glory and for the

building up of the church.building up of the church.


How does one discover How does one discover his/her gifts?his/her gifts?


Discovering one’s gifts starts Discovering one’s gifts starts withwith

• Becoming aware of the gifts that are listed in the Word.

• Asking God to reveal to you the ways that you are gifted.

• Assessing your own abilities and what you are passionate about.

• Taking a Spiritual Gifts Inventory• Trying new ministries to see which one

fits.

Documents

1/18/2011 © C. L. Hale Ministries, Inc. God Chasers Capturing God and Being Captivated by Him The Church & Commitment The Church & Commitment January 18,