The Purpose of the Church

This is the outline for Sunday's sermon (February 3rd 2013) which I will be using as I preach at the Cornelia United Methodist Church in the absence of our Pastor, Rev. Jay Hughes.  If you are unable to be in YOUR church for any reason,  our service will stream live from our church's website - corneliaumc.com. When you get in the website, you will find a "live stream" tab on the right hand of the home screen page, which you should click to access the video camera.  Broadcast begins around 10:45 a m (Eastern Standard Time).  Your comments are most welcome.

"The Purpose of the Church"

Jeremiah 1:4-10, especially  vs.7-9  "Do not say, 'I am only a boy,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them for I am with you deliver you, says the Lord."  Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth."
I Corinthians 13:1-13

1) The purpose of the church is to provide a place for praise of God
     "I have put my words in your mouth"
     a)  Let every word and deed be in praise of God
     b)  Let our worship and fellowship be centered around praising God
     c)  Do not criticize one another but build up one another in love

2)  The purpose of the church is to equip the saints of God
     "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things"
     a)  That you yourself might be changed
     b)  That you might be filled with the love of God
     c)  To feel the love and support of one another

3)  The purpose of the church is to send forth
     "You shall go to whom I send you"
     a)  To share the love of God outside the walls of the church
     b)  To become real disciples and not just bench warmers
     c)  To go out and become leaders to guide others to Christ

God Bless,
Terry DeLand