1. DOES CHURCH MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

2. The Point: When the focus of the church is on the message of Jesus, it does make a difference.

3. 1. The Foundation of the Church is CREDIBLE.

4. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household… Ephesians 2:19 NIV

5. “Jesus didn’t come to get something from us, but to GIVE something to us.”
He gave us a family that cares…the CHURCH.

6. Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ
Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief CORNERSTONE Ephesians 2:20

7. The gift of the church is PERMANENT because Jesus built it.
The church was His Plan to replace His Presence.

8. Paul prayed that the Ephesians might know “his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 1:19-20 NIV

9. His RESURRECTION authenticated Christianity.
Resurrection Power: Constant RENEWAL & REVIVAL

10. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling to which God lives by his Spirit Ephesians 2:21-22 NIV

11. God’s church is made up of YOU (21).
Its POWER comes from the Holy Spirit (22).

12. They DEVOTED themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer Acts 2:42

13. The early church was DEVOTED to Jesus Christ.
The ESSENCE of Christianity…INAM
IT’S NOT ABOUT ME

14. Question:
On a scale of 0-10 how would you rate your own DEVOTION?

15. What would it take for you to go up a number?
How would this impact our community?

16. 3. Three DISTINCTIVES of A Church That Makes a Difference

17. They never lose sight of their PURPOSE.
Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God Acts 19:8 NIV

18. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus Acts 19:9 NIV

19. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord Acts 19:10 NIV

20. “To lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ…”
Committed to the MORAL will of God and the GLOBAL will of God.

21. (2) They understand their POTENTIAL.

22. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon- possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Acts 19:13 NIV

23. Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this
Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, Jesus I know and Paul I know about, but who are you? Acts 19:14, 15 NIV

24. Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding Acts 19:16 NIV

25. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor Acts 19:17 NIV

26. (3) They believe in their POWER
(3) They believe in their POWER. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. Acts 19:18 NIV

27. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas Acts 19:19

28. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power
In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power Acts 19:20

29. Will you go up one number in your devotion?
ACTION POINTS:
Will you go up one number in your devotion?
Will you be a part of the FBC community?