“FOR CHRIST AND THE CHURCH”

Acts 20:28

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the

flock of which the Holy Spirit has made

you overseers. Be shepherds of the

church of God, which he bought with

his own blood.”

Lesson Objective

Song: (Page 156) “For Christ And The Church”

• That each considers the words to this great song that are so true to scripture and be renewed in spirit in these great actions of which the song exhorts us to do.

PRAISE LOVINGLY (vs 1)

• “For Christ and the church, let our voices ring. Let us honor the name of own blessed King”

Praise Him… For Salvation

Ephesians 1:3-6

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”

Ephesians 1:12

“…in order that we, who were the first to

hope in Christ, might be for the praise of

his glory.”

Praise Him… For Righteousness

Philippians 1:11

“…filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.”

Praise Him…For His Faithfulness

Hebrews 10:23

“ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we

profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

Praise Him… In Worship

Hebrews 2:12

He says,

"I will declare your name to my brothers; in the

presence of the congregation I will sing your

praises.”

Hebrews 13:15

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.”

PRAY FERVENTLY (vs 2)

“For Christ and the church, be our earnest prayer, Let us follow His banner, the cross daily bear”

Pray Fervently… For One Another

James 5:16

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Pray Fervently For Our Enemies

Matthew 5:44

“ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..”

Pray Fervently… For The Sick/Afflicted

James 5:13

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray..”

Pray Fervently… For More workers In The Harvest

Matthew 9:38

“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out

workers into his harvest field."

Pray Fervently… For Those Preaching The Gospel

2 Thessalonians 3:1

“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.”

Pray Fervently… For Love To Abound

Philippians 1:9

“And this is my prayer: that your love may

abound more and more in knowledge and depth

of insight,…”

Pray Fervently… That God Will Open Doors

Colossians 4:3

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”

GIVE WILLINGLY (vs3)

“For Christ and the church, willing

offerings make, Time and talents

and gold for the dear Master’s

sake”

Give Willingly.. Let us follow the example of the widow who cast in her last two pennies

Luke 21:1-4

“He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. [3] "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. [4] All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

Give Willingly

Acts 20:35

“…remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than it is to receive.’”

Give Willingly

Let us be cheerful and happy to help in the work of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 9:7

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Give Willingly… To supply the needs of the saints and aid the church’s work in the world

2 Corinthians 9:12

“ This service that you perform is not only

supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”

Give Willingly… To be a blessing to all men as we have opportunity.

Galatians 6:10

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Give Willingly…With a willing mind according to what we have

2 Corinthians 8:12

“For if the willingness is there, the gift is

acceptable according to what one has, not

according to what he does not have.”

Give Willingly…To aid the cause of Christ

Mark 9:41

“I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.”

SERVE FAITHFULLY (VS 4)

“For Christ and the Church, let us cast aside, by His conquering grace, chains of self, fear, and pride”

Serve Faithfully.. Knowing that Christ gives the inheritance

Colossians 3:24

“…since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Serve Faithfully.. Serving God not mammon (Money)

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Serve Faithfully.. Being watchful

Luke 12:37

“It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.”

Serve Faithfully…Following the Christ

John 12:26

“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

Serve Faithfully…Serving one another lovingly

Galatians 5:13

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

Serve Faithfully… With reverence and Godly Awe

Hebrews 12:28

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom

that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so

worship God acceptably with reverence and

awe,..”

Serve Faithfully… Until the day we die

Revelation 2:10

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I

tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to

test you, …. Be faithful, even to the point of death,

and I will give you the crown of life.”