The Gospel and the Church
May 29, 2022 Speaker: Jay Pound Series: First Free Church Sermons
Scripture: Matthew 28:18–20
Differences within the church create friction, complexity and misunderstandings. So why not just sort ourselves into smaller, more homogeneous churches?
Theological Foundation (Mt 28.16-20): Jesus enthroned at God’s right hand (cf. Acts 7)
- All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me (18)
- Jesus is Lord over all creation
- Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… (19)
- The gospel must go to all nations because Jesus is Lord of all nations
Early Church Practice: The Apostle Paul and Gentile Inclusion (Gal. 2.11-14)
- The church in Galatia had both Jewish and Gentile believers
- Their differences created friction and division (12-13)
- Paul condemned the division while refusing to condemn their differences (14)
- Living out the gospel required fellowship that respected differences, because a Jew + Gentile church testifies more powerfully and clearly to the Lordship of Jesus over Jews & Gentiles!
Contemporary Application: The Church and The Gospel
- Like the church in Galatia, our church is home to believers who think, speak, eat and vote differently from one another.
- When we, with all of our differences, chose to gather, eat, and worship together, we become a living testimony to the truth and power of the Gospel about Jesus
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