09:30 tomorrow

CONNECTED TO THE HEAD FOR PURPOSE Doug Kreighbaum

The Body of Christ – God’s Design for Impacting the Earth Eph 1:22-23 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (MSG)…The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

The Body of Christ – God’s Design for Impacting the Earth We need more than better methods or programs. It is about God perfecting a better people. His design is about the Living God moving through living stones to impact His earth (Romans 9:26, 1 Timothy 3:15, Hebrews 12:22- 23, 1 Peter 2:5, Psalms 42:2).  

The Body of Christ – God’s Design for Impacting the Earth Example in the early church: Acts 17:1-7 …"These men who have upset the world have come here also; (7) and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” The early church was birthed by the Spirit through a message about Jesus. Act 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (Messiah/Savior)--this Jesus whom you crucified."

The Lordship of Christ in the Church We have to see Him as Lord of the House if we are going to be the House of the Lord! Eph 4:15-16, Col 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. God’s goal for churches: Jesus having first place in everything.

The Lordship of Christ in the Church Without Christ’s headship local churches will become like the tower of Babel rather than the House of the Lord. (Gen 11:4 “Let us build for ourselves”) It begins with our personal salvation experience. Rom 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Models of Salvation: “Are you saved” or “Is He Lord of your life”

3 Indicators of Christ’s Headship in our personal lives We exhibit surrender in our lives daily to walk in His life. Luk 9:23-24 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. (24) "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. (Luke 14:26-27, Matthew 10:38-39, 16:22-25, Mark 8:34-38, John 12:25-26).

3 Indicators of Christ’s Headship in our personal lives Living according to what He has said as a foundation for what He is saying. Lk 6:46 And why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? Mt 4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that precedes out of His mouth.

3 Indicators of Christ’s Headship in our personal lives Embracing the daily work of the Spirit in us to please Him. Philippians 2:12-13 Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is at work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Heb 13:20-21…working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2Co 5:9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

Indicators of Christ’s Headship in a local church Their life will revolve around Jesus “having first place in everything” (Colossians 1:18) God's Word is given preeminence over tradition, opinions, and experience. People will have a growing relationship with God. A culture where His leadership is gladly received through His delegated leaders (Hebrews 13) People will be contributors more than consumers. People will desire all 5 aspects of the Ephesian's 4 ministries.