Family Sunday
I. Meet & Greet - Be Seated
Acts 2 (NKJV)
42 ¶ And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The Apostle John took the time to formally greet the saints in his writings, many by name.
The Apostle Peter wrote to Christians and included greetings.
The Apostle Paul, in his writings to the Churches, either greeted specific people by name or gave admonitions to the church to greet one another 27 times. He encouraged saints to show their love and close relationship with those in their church by these greetings.
Four times he gave instruction to greet one another with a holy kiss.
Philippians 4
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.
“Everybody says hi!”
In Kenya, when 2 Christians meet, the common greeting exchanged is no longer, “Hello, how are you?”, and the reply “Good thank you.” (In Swahili.)
Rather, for Christians it is, “Praise the Lord”, and the reply, “Praise Him Much!” (In Swahili)
Why, Because, Ephesians 4:16 tells us that:
The Body Of Christ Is That By Which Every Person Supplies
“Mix, Meet, Mingle & Multiply” (Acts 2:42-47 - It grows the church!)
Sing: “Lord You Are Good”
II. Praise & Worship
A. Musicians
Psalms 150
3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!
4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
B. Dancers
Psalms 150:4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance.
Exodus 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
C. Singers
Psalms 68
24 They have seen Your procession, O God, The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; Among them were the maidens playing timbrels.
D. Congregational Participation
Psalms 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
E. The Progression
Psalms 100
1 ¶ ((A Psalm of Thanksgiving.)) Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.
1. Thanksgiving “That’s What We Came Here For”
2. Praise “Awesome In This Place”
3. Worship “You Are My King”
III. Water Baptism
A. Water Baptism Is A Command
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
B. Water Baptism Follows Conversion
Acts 10
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
C. Water Baptism Is A Grave For The Past
1. Noah & his family were baptized in the flood
* 1 Peter 3:20-21
* Not so that they could have a relationship with God, but because they had a relationship with God.
2. The Children of Israel were baptized in the Red Sea
* 1 Corinthians 10:2
* Not so that they could have a relationship with God, but because they had a relationship with God.
D. Water Baptism Is Identification and Inclusion With Christ
Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
* Pastor Ken will be baptizing several people
* We will want music
* After baptisms we will sing
“Look What The Lord Has Done”
IV. Children
A. Jesus invites children to participate in His Kingdom
Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
In fact we are admonished by Jesus to become like little children in our faith and acceptance of the Kingdom of God.
Mark 10:15 "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
* In a moment we will watch, along with Jesus, while some of the children of our church present an offering of their love and praise to Him.
B. But first a word about Dedicating Children To God
1. Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord in 1 Samuel 1
2. Mary presented Jesus to God in the temple and dedicated Him according to the command of God. Luke 2
* While the families are bringing their children which are to be dedicated to God today, let me release those children who have been preparing to minister to the Lord this morning.
* Baby Dedication
* Followed by Children’s Special
V. Giving
A. Tithe - One Tenth
1. Both Old & New Testament words mean one-tenth
2. The first time tithing is mentioned in the bible is in reference to Abraham giving one tenth of his increase to the priest of God.
* over 500 years before the law Genesis 14:20
* we know that Cain & Abel were commanded to give sacrifices and offerings to God
3. Jacob made a covenant of tithing Genesis 28:22
4. The law included tithing Numbers 18:24ff
* Fulfillment of Jacob/Israel’s covenant promise to God
5. The New Testament reveals that Christ redeemed saints from the curse of the law, not the responsibilities of it, and returned them unto the covenant of Abraham. Galatians 3:13 & 29
* The Abrahamic covenant included tithing.
6. Hebrews 7 gives a clear picture of the covenant of tithing, showing its roots in Abraham, whose seed we are, and not in the law.
B. 3 Reasons Why We Give Offerings
1. Follow The Lead
2. Meet The Need
3. Sow The Seed
Tithing is a covenant responsibility
Offerings are kingdom opportunities
VI. Communion
* Elders, Deacons & Servants of the House, make ready the tables of communion.
A. There were two types of people at the cross
1. Those who respected the body and blood of our Lord
2. Those who disrespected the body and blood of our Lord.
B. There are two types of people in the world today.
1. Those who are worthy to partake of these holy sacraments
2. Those who are unworthy
C. We are admonished to Examine Ourselves …
1. Our past sins
2. Our present motives
3. Our future intent
* … before we partake of communion unworthily and make ourselves guilty of a most unholy act - standing with the unrepentant crowd in view of our Lord’s spilled blood and broken body.
D. This is an intimate time.
* Pray with me for forgiveness and Holy Communion.
* Singers & Musicians begin - People receive sacraments
* When Appropriate - All Stand
Matthew 26
* The Bread
26 ¶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
* The Cup
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
* The Hymn
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
* Sing “There Is Power In The Blood” or “Come Just As You Are”
