2. Lesson 8 The Holy Spirit Gathers the Church

3. Note: Lesson 8 has 3 parts 

4. A. What is The Holy Christian Church? B. What is The Christian Congregation? C. With which congregation or organization should I join in fellowship?

5. Let’s begin with part 1….

6. A. What is The Holy Christian Church? B. What is The Christian Congregation? C. With which congregation or organization should I join in fellowship?

7. We use the word “church” in at least 4 different ways: “It’s raining, run into the church!” “Hurry, church starts soon!” “I’m joining the church.” The Bible’s definition of church? building believers group worship

8. We use the Bible’s definition of church. And since faith is God’s gift, we also note that… …the church comes to people!

9. 1 Peter 1:22 - 2:10 1.The word “church” means “called out.” God calls the unbeliever out of the darkness of unbelief and into the light of faith.

10. Once lost in sin, God interfered in our life!

11. 2. The Holy Christian Church is all believers in the world. All believers; communion of saints

12. 3. We become a part of the H.C.C. when the Holy Spirit gives us new birth through God’s Word and Sacraments. 4. The cornerstone of the church is Jesus.

13. The Invisible church = All who believe in Jesus

14. What can be seen about Faith? “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7).

15. What humans see. “Man looks at the outward appearance.” Humans can’t see what spirit is in the heart.

16. What God Sees “The Lord looks at the heart” God knows the spirit of the heart: if there’s faith in Jesus or not.

17. What God Sees …the Lord looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7). The Invisible church = All who believe in Jesus.

18. What God Sees The Invisible church = All who believe in Jesus. Holy Christian Church Diagram Cat p. 198

19. A. What is The Holy Christian Church? B. What is The Christian Congregation? C. With which congregation or organization should I join in fellowship?

20. A. What is The Holy Christian Church? B. What is The Christian Congregation? C. With which congregation or organization should I join in fellowship?

21. A Christian congregation = The Visible church

22. Cat Q: 242 1. People gathering around God’s Word and sacraments.

23. 1159) 1162) 1163) 2. In a Christian congregation there may be hypocrites (unbelievers acting like believers).

24. Ephesians 4:3-6 3. … To grow in faith thru the Word 4. That we assemble together in church & Bible studies to strengthen each other.

25. A. What is The Holy Christian Church? B. What is The Christian Congregation? C. With which congregation or organization should I join in fellowship?

26. A. What is The Holy Christian Church? B. What is The Christian Congregation? C. With which congregation or organization should I join in fellowship?

27. Cat Q: 243-244 Need for Confessions Error in teaching God’s word afflicts the church.

28. What we humans see.

29. How we humans test.

31. June 15, 2001

32. How do we weigh this out? ? ?? ?

33. Church fellowship is a weighing process.

34. Church fellowship

39. Worship Communion Prayer Offerings + _

40. Church fellowship +

41. _

42. Worship Communion Prayer Offerings + _ Rom 15:1-5 16:17-18 Bear w weak Build up teach for unity Watch out divisions contrary keep away

43. Worship Communion Prayer Offerings + _ Rom 15:1-5 16:17-18 Fulcrum: 12:1-2 Bear HugStand back God’s mercy moves me! Copy this.

44. Worship Communion Prayer Offerings + _ Bear Hug Stand back God’s mercy moves me! Fellowship is a tool, not a rule!

45. + _ Bear Hug Mercy

46. + _ Stand back Mercy

47. + Bear Hug Weakness: willing to learn more. _ Stand back Promoting and defending.

48. With which congregation or other religious organizations should I join in fellowship? Church Fellowship-- God’s Will

49. 1 Cor 1:10 P. 1128 1. Jesus wants perfect unity in mind and thought

50. John 8:31 1166) Matt 28:20 1158) 2. Jesus wants followers to hold to his ALL his Word …. (cont.)

51. (Matt 7:15 p. 961) 2. (cont.)… watching out for false teachings and teachers.

52. Diagram on p. 206

53. Rom 16:17-18 p. 1126 4. We should not fellowship with teachers, churches and religious organizations which go against the teachings of God’s Word.

54. Worship Communion Prayer Offerings + _ Rom 15:1-5 16:17-18 Bear HugStand back God’s mercy moves me! Fellowship is a tool, not a rule!

55. What if we don’t practice church fellowship?

56. Love moves us to practice church fellowship: 1. God’s love for us! 2. Love for God’s truth. 3. Love for others. 4. Love for ourselves.

57. Tips & Extras for practicing fellowship.