Is The Local Church Really Is The Hope Of The World?
Comfortable -- Part 1
June 27, 2010

Matthew 13:44-46 (NIV)
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field..."Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Great Commission:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

7 Ways To Be Comfortable In The Church...

1. Avoid Church On A Regular Basis, It's Easier That Way.

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship..." Acts 2:42a (NIV)

"They worshiped together regularly at the Temple courts..."
Acts 2:46a (LB)

"Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASB)

2. Tell Myself That The Bible Is Not Necessarily For Me.

"The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right."
2 Timothy 3:16 (LB)


"Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 (NLT)

3. Talk To Everyone I Know Before Talking To God.

"This, then, is how you should pray: "`Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'" Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." John 15:7 (NIV)

4. Stay Away From Relationships With Other Christians.

"We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for
us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian
brothers and sisters." 1 John 3:16 (NLT)

"In Christ we who are many form one Body, and each member belongs to all the others." Romans 12:5 (NIV)

5. Keep Asking Myself, "What's In It For Me?"

"While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church." 1 Corinthians 8:1 (NLT)

"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:43-45 (NIV)

6. Don't Tell Anyone That I Believe This Jesus Stuff.

Jesus said..."Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 10:32 (NKJV)

"Through Christ, God has made peace between us and himself, and He gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with Him... So we have been sent to speak for Christ!"
2 Corinthians 5:18, 20 (NCV)





7. Totally Ignore What I Just Heard.

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 2:7, 11,17, 29 & 3:6, 13, 22 (NIV)

Jesus said..."And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write...I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." Revelation 3:14-16 (NKJV)

"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:17 (NIV)

19 فَاذْهَبُوا إِذَنْ، وَتَلْمِذُوا جَمِيعَ الأُمَمِ، وَعَمِّدُوهُمْ بِاسْمِ الآبِ وَالاِبْنِ وَالرُّوحِ الْقُدُسِ؛

20 وَعَلِّمُوهُمْ أَنْ يَعْمَلُوا بِكُلِّ مَا أَوْصَيْتُكُمْ بِهِ. وَهَا أَنَا مَعَكُمْ كُلَّ الأَيَّامِ إِلَى انْتِهَاءِ الزَّمَانِ! ».

19Therefore getmək və bütün xalqların həvarilər edin, Mən sənə əmr var hər şeyi tabe Ata və Oğul və Müqəddəs Ruhun, 20and onlara tədris adı a] [onları baptizing. Və şübhəsiz ki, siz həmişə, yaşı çox sonuna am ".