This Sunday as Pastor David begins a new fall sermon series asking the questions “What makes a church excellent?”. Join us in-person or online beginning at 10:30 on Sunday morning!
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Notes
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To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. (Rev. 3:14-17)
-Ephesians 1:15-18
-Colossians 1:3-5
-I Thessalonians 1:2,3
-II Thessalonians 1:3,4; II Thessalonians 2:1,2
-I Corinthians 1:1-7
-I Corinthians 3:1-3
– I Corinthians 13
1. _________________ is the ____________ of the church
As a result, you yourselves became an example to all the Christians in Greece. And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Greece, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it…
(I Thessalonians. 1:7,8) (Hebrews 11:6)
2. _________________ is the _________ of the church
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
3. __________________ is the ______________of the church
-Matthew 22:36-40
__________ and _________ we love is the most accurate picture of who we really are as a church.
Digging Deeper
Q1: Has there ever been a time in your life when you were evaluated and corrected? If so, what was that experience like? How did you feel about it at the time? How about now?
Q2: Have you had a really positive and affirming experience at a church? If so, describe. What encouraging qualities were evident in that church?
Q3: Read Jesus’ letter to the church in Ephesus found in Revelation 2:1-7. How does Jesus commend the church? …correct the church?
Q4: Has there ever been a time in your life when it seemed like all hope was gone? If so, describe situation. How did you make it through? What did you learn?
Q5: Study Romans 15:13. What does this verse teach you about hope?
Q6: What bible story or passage comes to mind when you think of faith? …hope? …love?
Q7: Of the three qualities mentioned (faith, hope & love) which one do you think is most evident at AVBC? …which one is most lacking? Take a moment to pray about both.