Week 3: What are the Essentials of a

Healthy Church?1.Expositional Preaching2.Biblical Theology3.Biblical Understanding of the Gospel

January 20, 2013

Thabiti Anyabwile defines it as: “Preaching is God speaking in the power of His Spirit about His Son from His word through a man.”

John Calvin declared: “Wherever the gospel is preached it is as if God Himself came into the midst of us.”

J.I. Packer says: “The Bible is God preaching. When preaching correctly explicates the Scripture, it’s not the man alone who speaks. If the Bible is God preaching, then preaching the Bible is God speaking.”

What is Preaching?

Biblical Support 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5—”For we know, brothers loved by God, that

He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13—”And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it as it actually is, the word of God, [God himself spoke through Paul's preaching] which is at work in you who believe.” [Power is in the word, not the messenger]

1 Peter 4:10-11—”Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.” [Not just an apostolic prerogative or privilege. "Anyone speaks"]

Matthew 10:19-20—”When they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

Types of PreachingExpository Sermons: Expository Sermons: Preach through books of the Bile or

large sections of the scripture. Usually done in order as you read through the section

Textual Sermons: Textual Sermons: Focus is made on a particular verse.

Biographical Sermons: Biographical Sermons: Focus is made on a particular individual in the Bible.

Historical Incident: Historical Incident: This is similar to Biographical but the focus is on an incident rather then a person.

Topical Sermon: Topical Sermon: The Focus here is on a particular topic and verses are taken from throughout the Bible to give a complete teaching on the subject or topic.

Personal Testimony: Personal Testimony: Someone shares their personal experiances using scripture to illustrate a spiritual truth.

Essential #1: Why Expositional Preaching?Expository Preaching Expository Preaching exposes Gods word. It takes a

particular passage (several verses) of scripture and explains what it says in context and then applies the meaning to the life of the congregation.

It also is referred to as Exegetical Exegetical which means “drawing out the meaning”.

It asks key questions about the text; What, Why and So What?

Why Expositional Preaching?More specifically:

What does the passage say? Why does the author say it in that way? Why does the author say it here? Why do this passage and book belong at this point of in the Biblical

story? What response did the author want from his hearers or readers? What response should we make today?

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The Heart of WorshipNehemiah 8:1-8: (NASB): And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel.  Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.  He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law.  Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood (a bunch of Levites) ….. Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up.  Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.  Also (another bunch of Levites) …. the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place.  They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.

Essential # 2: Biblical Theology1 John 3:2: (NASB):  Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

As a church we should not only be concerned with how we are taught but also concerned with what we are taught.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 Titus 1:5-10

Pastors need to teach their congregations in sound doctrine and the churches congregations need to be sure they hold them accountable.

Unity, Diversity and CharityThe early church put it this way: in essentials, unity; in

nonessentials, diversity; in all things, charity.

Always remember the main things are the plain things and the plain things are the main things.

There are a number questions the Bible answers but are neglected by the church. Are people basically good or bad? Do they merely need encouragement

and self-esteem or do they need forgiveness and new life? What did Jesus do by dying on the cross? Did he actually and effectively

satisfy the just wrath of the Father or did he merely set an example of self-sacrifice for his followers?

What happens when someone becomes a Christian? If we are a Christian, can we be sure that God will continue to care for

us? If so, is his continuing care based on our faithfulness or on His faithfulness?

Essential # 3: Biblical Understanding of the Gospel

A healthy Church is one in which every member; young, old, mature and immature unites around the good news of salvation alone through Jesus Christ.2 Cor. 4: 4-6: The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Gospel BasicsWhen sharing the Gospel with people in private or public we need

to keep 4 things in mind: God, man, Christ and response. We should ask ourselves the following questions to ensure we

have covered all the bases.Have I explained that God is our holy and sovereign creator?Have I made it clear that we humans are a strange mixture,

wonderfully made in Gods image yet horribly fallen, sinful and separated from him?

Have I explained who Jesus is and what He has done, that He is the God-Man who uniquely and exclusively stands between God and man as a substitute and resurrected Lord?

Finally after sharing all this, have I clearly stated that a person must respond to the gospel and must believe the message and turn from a life of self-centeredness and sin?

Class OutlineWhat is a Healthy Church

Week 1: The Church (What is a Healthy Church Chap. 1&2)

Week 2: What is the Church’s Purpose and Function What is a Healthy Church Chap. 3&4 and Article II

from PBC Constitution What are the “Essential” marks of a Healthy Church

Week 3: Essentials of a Healthy Church What is a Healthy Church Chap 5, 6 & 7Week 4: What the Church Believes Article III PBC Statement of Faith What are the “Important” marks of a Healthy Church

Week 5: A Biblical Understanding of Conversion, Evangelism and Discipline.

What is a Healthy Church Chap. 8, 9 and 11Week 6: Church Membership Part 1. What is a Healthy Church Chap. 10 and 9Marks Church

Membership book

Week 7: Church Membership Part 2. What is a Healthy Church Chap. 10 and 9Marks Church

Membership bookWeek 8: Biblical Discipleship and Church Leadership. What is a Healthy Church Chap. 12 & 13

What is a Healthy Church Member

Week 9: A Healthy Church Member is an Expositional Listener and Biblical Theologian.

What is a Healthy Church Member Chap. 1 & 2 and Listen Up booklet

Week 10: A Healthy Church Member is Gospel Saturated and Genuinely Converted.

What is a Healthy Church Member Chap. 3 & 4Week 11: A Healthy Church Member is Biblical Evangelist

and a Committed Member. What is a Healthy Church Member Chap. 5 & 6Week 12: A Healthy Church Member Seeks Discipline and

is a Growing Disciple. What is a Healthy Church Member Chap. 7 & 8Week 13: A Healthy Church Member is a Humble

Follower and a Prayer Warrior. What is a Healthy Church Member Chap. 9 & 10