A BIBLICAL BODY SHOULD    

I. GATHER REGULARY TO INTERACT WITH GOD, HIS WORD, AND HIS PEOPLE

Acts 2:42-47 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

II. HELP BELIEVERS LEARN TO OBEY THE TRUTH AND LIVE IN VICTORY

Acts 8:6-8 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did  For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.  And there was great joy in that city.

Rom 6:17-18 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.  And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness

Jn 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Acts 6:7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

III. ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORTH OF GOD (WORSHIP) BY JOYFULLY DECLARING THE ABUNDANCE OF PRAISES FOR WHAT GOD HAS DONE AND IS DOING IN THEIR LIVES.

Acts 4:23-24 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.  So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said; “Lord You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them.

Acts 2:1-11Tthey were all with one accord in one place… they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance… we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Acts 14:27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 15:4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

Heb 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifices of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Jn 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for with out Me you can do nothing.

IV. PREACH SOUND DOCTRINE, WHICH COMES FROM NOTHING ELSE THAN STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES, NO MATTER WHAT RESPONSE IT RECEIVES

2Tim 4:2-4 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and  they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…

2Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Acts 14:3-5 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them.

Acts 9:29 And [Paul] spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him

Acts 4:18-19 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God , you judge.

V. HAVE STRONG BIBLICAL SHEPHERDING/LEADERSHIP

Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Titus 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.

Heb 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

VI. PRACTICE THE “ONE ANOTHER” PASSAGES IN THE SAME MIND

Gal 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another

1Pet 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

1Thes 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily….

Phil 2:2 Fulfill my joy by being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Thess 1:6-8 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

VIII. SHOULD EMPHASIZE WHAT SCRIPTURE EMPHASIZES REGARDING SANCTIFICATION AND EVANGELISM

Phil 2:14-16 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…

Matt 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;

IX. WILL PASS CHRIST’S EVALUATION

Revelation 2-3

Questions:

1.        Why does God care about churches?

2.        Why should believers be apart of a church?

3.        How can one add value to a church?

4.        Can you be a pleasing Christian and not be a part of a Biblical body?

5.        What are the essentials requirements for a church to be pleasing to God?