FOR WHAT WILL THIS CONGREGATION BE KNOWN?
A. Will we be known for our love for lost souls? (Mark 16:15) “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (John 3:16)
1. Or will we be like Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day? (John 5:42) “For I know you, that you have not the love of God in you”
B. Will we be known for our generous giving? (2 Corinthians 9:7) “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of a necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (Acts 20:35) “…It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
1. Must first give ourselves to God (Romans 12:1) “I beseech ye therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”
C. Will we be known for our brotherly love? (John 13:35) “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another”
a. CANNOT hate brethren (1 John 4:20-21)
D. Will we be known for our friendliness and hospitality? (Psalms 119:63) “I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts” (Hebrews 13:2) ”Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”
E. Will we be known for speaking the truth boldly but lovingly? (Acts 4:13) (Ephesians 4:14-16)
F. Will we be known for defending the truth when its under attack? (Philippians 1:17) “…I am set for the defense of the Gospel” (1 Peter 3:15)
G. Will we be known for Christian living on the part of every member? (Philippians 1:27) “Only let your conversation (manner of life—EDR) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Matthew 5:13-17)