EPISODE 0078 | 5 Truths About The Church
THESE NOTES ACCOMPANY EPISODE 0078
The church isn’t just a place you go—it’s a family you belong to. In this episode, we dive into Philippians 4 to uncover five foundational truths about the church that every believer needs to know. From the power of unity and discipleship to the joy of servant leadership and the testimony of generosity, we’ll see how Paul’s letters remain a roadmap for living out Christ-centered faith today. Don’t miss this powerful conversation about embracing the mission and heart of the church!
5 Truths About The Church:
1. The Church is a family. (Spiritual Family)
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
John 3:3 You must be BORN again.
1 John 2:19 "These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us."
Everyone is made in the image of God. But not everyone is a son or daughter of God.
Paul’s ministry was to the Church. Full Stop. Not to the world but to the Family of God. It isn’t to make unity with the world.
2. The Church’s Strength is Unity. (Relational Unity)
Philippians 4:2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.
Diversity is not our strength. Our unity to the Word of God is. We have to fight for that.
John 14:15 "If you love me, obey my commandments."
What does Jesus say about dealing with others in the Church?
Matthew 18:15-17 "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector."
This passage outlines a three-step process for resolving conflict:
1. Approach the person privately to address the issue.
2. If unresolved, involve one or two others as witnesses.
3. If still unresolved, bring it before the church. If the person refuses to listen even to the church, the church leaders decide. Not You. You can’t decide to quit someone in church.
3. The Church’s Work is Discipleship. (Personal Discipleship)
Philippians 4:8-9 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 3:18-20 (NLT) "For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior."
Many times we want God to move in our life without our participation. Repent: Turn the other way. It starts in your thoughts. How you think determines what you see. What you see determines what you do. Want to change? Change what you think.
Quick template:
The Bible changes how you think, The Holy Spirit changes what you see, The Local Church changes how you act.
4. The Church’s Attitude is Joy. (Servant Leadership)
Philippians 4:4-7 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
5. The Church’s Testimony is Generosity. (Generosity)
Philippians 4:15-16 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.
Matthew 16:25 "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it."
Tithing is the test of generosity. God says return to me the first portion of what I have given you. It isn’t about Gods house, it’s about your house.
Tithing is a starting place. From there you partner to expand the kingdom. A strict tither is obedient but not generous. It is what you cultivate from the Tithe that produces generosity.
Generosity starts with your money and possessions but then moves from something you do to who you are.
Acts 4:34-35 (NLT):"There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need."
Resources
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