Christ Church
Busting the Myths about Church
Locations & Times
Christ Church Fairgrove Campus
2416 Zion Church Rd, Hickory, NC 28602, USA
Saturday 5:00 PM
Myth One: You can have spiritual intimacy with Jesus apart from the local church.
Myth Two: You can have spiritual maturity without serving and teaching others in Jesus’ name.
Plain Truth: Learning and Serving together are vital for apart from the body of Christ we will develop our own self-serving faith and remain spiritually immature.
John Wesley once said, “Justifying grace qualifies you for heaven but Sanctifying grace makes you fit for heaven.”
There is power in a name. 3 names…or nicknames as it were….
1. I am bought.
2. I am beloved.
3. I am betrayer.
1. I am bought.
2. I am beloved.
3. I am betrayer.
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A Sunday morning faith isn’t good enough if you want to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus. Too many who claim to be born-again, are in reality ‘one-day-a-week’ Christians. In fact, some church-goers live more like ‘atheists’ throughout the week than fully devoted followers of Christ – we say we believe in God, but our actions betray our words.
If we are going to live into an authentic faith—one that is a powerful, credible witness to the watching world, we must begin to exercise our faith beyond words. Actually living our faith will help us to grow beyond spiritual milk and develop a palate for solid food. Putting our faith into action—through learning and serving together—keeps us in touch with the needs of others, and prevents self-serving and immature.
Read Hebrews 5:11 – 6:12
When you accept Jesus into your heart, you have a new name! The very nature of your new name “Christian” means that you are done with a self-serving attitude. You are no longer under obligation to maintain old sins and unhealthy habits. You are propelled to walk in freedom. You no longer wallow in a cesspool of self-accolade, you have a new identity. Serving others becomes a sheer delight because it is a way to reflect the light of Christ. You have a new way to live. Everyday you become more like Jesus.
“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God have Him is greater than their names” (Hebrews 1:3-4).
1. What name was given God’s Son, according to Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31?
“For God never said to any angel what He said to Jesus: ‘you are my Son. Today I have become your Father.’ God also said, ‘I will be His Father, and He will be my Son’” (Hebrews 1:5). There were other times God the Father revealed His affirmation toward His Son (see Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 17:5).
God’s seal of approval was on His Son, and the early disciples knew it. Some of them, Peter and John, for example, had personally heard it for themselves! (see 2 Peter 1:16-19 and 1 John 1:1-3) According to the verses below, what do individuals face who blatantly overtime choose to disregard God’s Son?
Hebrews 2:1-4 Hebrews 6:4-7 Jude, vv5-7
Choosing to follow Christ means that our allegiance – our loyalty, time, energy, financial resources – are now redirected to the building up of Christ’s Kingdom. We become passionate about other people knowing Christ who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6a). Jesus said that true disciples are like branches: “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). One way we stay connected to Christ, the Vine, is by staying connected to His church.
2. Myth #1 – ‘you can have spiritual intimacy with Jesus apart from the local church.’ In your own faith journey, think of times you have been tempted to believe this myth. In what ways has the Lord shown you there is no such thing as ‘solo Christianity’?
3. Myth #2 – ‘you can have spiritual intimacy without serving and teaching others in Jesus’ name.’ The writer of Hebrews says, “You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others” (5:12a). Is it time for you to step up and start facilitating a Life Group, teaching a Bible Study, or helping lead in a children’s ministry?
You have something to share. It takes prayer and preparation, but if you avail yourself to the Lord, He will make it happen. Re-read Hebrews 5:12-14, then write Hebrews 5:14 in the space below:
You can develop the ‘skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong’ and then teach others. Often teaching means lifting up the Scriptures and encouraging others through the truth of God’s Word. This is what God called Jonah to do, to simply share God’s truth to people in spiritual darkness. Although Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh, he finally did go reluctantly, and the people did repent (see Jonah 3:5, 4:10-11).
4. It’s not always easy to follow Christ’s call. In fact, it is usually inconvenient. Ezekiel said, “I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the LORD’s hold on me was strong” (Ezekiel 3:14). Share ways we stay forward-moving (and encouraged) in our service to Christ?
Just as Life Groups are a great way to ‘learn’ together, Joshua Celebration is a great tool for ‘serving’ together. If you haven’t signed up for a place to serve, it’s not too late. Where are you sensing your call to serve? What step(s) will you take today to follow through with your commitment to serve?
In early church times, the name “Christian” was precious to followers of Christ. Many Christ-followers were being martyred for their profession of faith in Christ
These early Christ-followers could not (and did not!) denounce their ultimate loyalty to the Lord Jesus because they knew to say ‘Caesar was Lord’ was simply not the truth. Now people of truth—redeemed and bought with a price—these early Christians had but one allegiance. Early Christ-followers had moved from the kingdom of darkness into Christ’s glorious light. The radiance of Christ not only exposed every false way, but it gave them confidence to live and proclaim their faith even in the face of persecution and death.
5. For many of us, it may be time to repent of trying to live a convenient life. Does your personal comfort mean more to you than serving others in Jesus’ name? Are you willing to surrender some of you schedule in order to help disciple others in the Name of Christ?
This is a question that steps on most toes, but Christ can help us – the Holy Spirit can and will stir up within us a desire to serve others. Ask the Lord where He wants you to serve. Tell the Lord your concerns and fears. But then trust Him. He knows you are weak, but He will empower you and give you the words to say and the energy to move forward into maturity.
A Sunday morning faith isn’t good enough if you want to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus. Too many who claim to be born-again, are in reality ‘one-day-a-week’ Christians. In fact, some church-goers live more like ‘atheists’ throughout the week than fully devoted followers of Christ – we say we believe in God, but our actions betray our words.
If we are going to live into an authentic faith—one that is a powerful, credible witness to the watching world, we must begin to exercise our faith beyond words. Actually living our faith will help us to grow beyond spiritual milk and develop a palate for solid food. Putting our faith into action—through learning and serving together—keeps us in touch with the needs of others, and prevents self-serving and immature.
Read Hebrews 5:11 – 6:12
When you accept Jesus into your heart, you have a new name! The very nature of your new name “Christian” means that you are done with a self-serving attitude. You are no longer under obligation to maintain old sins and unhealthy habits. You are propelled to walk in freedom. You no longer wallow in a cesspool of self-accolade, you have a new identity. Serving others becomes a sheer delight because it is a way to reflect the light of Christ. You have a new way to live. Everyday you become more like Jesus.
“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God have Him is greater than their names” (Hebrews 1:3-4).
1. What name was given God’s Son, according to Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31?
“For God never said to any angel what He said to Jesus: ‘you are my Son. Today I have become your Father.’ God also said, ‘I will be His Father, and He will be my Son’” (Hebrews 1:5). There were other times God the Father revealed His affirmation toward His Son (see Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 17:5).
God’s seal of approval was on His Son, and the early disciples knew it. Some of them, Peter and John, for example, had personally heard it for themselves! (see 2 Peter 1:16-19 and 1 John 1:1-3) According to the verses below, what do individuals face who blatantly overtime choose to disregard God’s Son?
Hebrews 2:1-4 Hebrews 6:4-7 Jude, vv5-7
Choosing to follow Christ means that our allegiance – our loyalty, time, energy, financial resources – are now redirected to the building up of Christ’s Kingdom. We become passionate about other people knowing Christ who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6a). Jesus said that true disciples are like branches: “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). One way we stay connected to Christ, the Vine, is by staying connected to His church.
2. Myth #1 – ‘you can have spiritual intimacy with Jesus apart from the local church.’ In your own faith journey, think of times you have been tempted to believe this myth. In what ways has the Lord shown you there is no such thing as ‘solo Christianity’?
3. Myth #2 – ‘you can have spiritual intimacy without serving and teaching others in Jesus’ name.’ The writer of Hebrews says, “You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others” (5:12a). Is it time for you to step up and start facilitating a Life Group, teaching a Bible Study, or helping lead in a children’s ministry?
You have something to share. It takes prayer and preparation, but if you avail yourself to the Lord, He will make it happen. Re-read Hebrews 5:12-14, then write Hebrews 5:14 in the space below:
You can develop the ‘skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong’ and then teach others. Often teaching means lifting up the Scriptures and encouraging others through the truth of God’s Word. This is what God called Jonah to do, to simply share God’s truth to people in spiritual darkness. Although Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh, he finally did go reluctantly, and the people did repent (see Jonah 3:5, 4:10-11).
4. It’s not always easy to follow Christ’s call. In fact, it is usually inconvenient. Ezekiel said, “I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the LORD’s hold on me was strong” (Ezekiel 3:14). Share ways we stay forward-moving (and encouraged) in our service to Christ?
Just as Life Groups are a great way to ‘learn’ together, Joshua Celebration is a great tool for ‘serving’ together. If you haven’t signed up for a place to serve, it’s not too late. Where are you sensing your call to serve? What step(s) will you take today to follow through with your commitment to serve?
In early church times, the name “Christian” was precious to followers of Christ. Many Christ-followers were being martyred for their profession of faith in Christ
These early Christ-followers could not (and did not!) denounce their ultimate loyalty to the Lord Jesus because they knew to say ‘Caesar was Lord’ was simply not the truth. Now people of truth—redeemed and bought with a price—these early Christians had but one allegiance. Early Christ-followers had moved from the kingdom of darkness into Christ’s glorious light. The radiance of Christ not only exposed every false way, but it gave them confidence to live and proclaim their faith even in the face of persecution and death.
5. For many of us, it may be time to repent of trying to live a convenient life. Does your personal comfort mean more to you than serving others in Jesus’ name? Are you willing to surrender some of you schedule in order to help disciple others in the Name of Christ?
This is a question that steps on most toes, but Christ can help us – the Holy Spirit can and will stir up within us a desire to serve others. Ask the Lord where He wants you to serve. Tell the Lord your concerns and fears. But then trust Him. He knows you are weak, but He will empower you and give you the words to say and the energy to move forward into maturity.