## What God Wants GBT To Be

## Matthew 16:13-18

Our text explains that Jesus Christ established the local New Testament church during His earthly ministry. Man does not originate the local church, but it is the work of God. As such, He is the head or authority over all that we do and say as a church. (Eph. 5:23)

We need to pay close attention to what the Lord would have for us to do as a church. God doesn't speak audibly to us with His directions, nor do I speak for God. He communicates to us through His Word. We then are faced with the choice of either obeying what He says or rebelling against His commands. Either way we are in this together. The apostle Paul calls us co- laborers.

1Co 3:9-10, "For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."

Now, Paul was writing these words to the local church at Corinth. By application we understand that these instructions are for each local church even today. The warning is clear "…let every man take heed how he buildeth…" With this in mind, I want us to consider what God wants for Grace Baptist Temple to be as we minister for Him in the coming year. Obviously, this should be of great importance to every member of this church.

I. God Wants GBT to be Alive and Vibrant.

Ac 5:42, "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ".

A. What does that verse mean for us today?

1. It means that our Christianity is not just for Sunday.

2. But rather, we are to be about the business of witnessing of Christ daily.

3. It means that we are to be looking for opportunities to teach others about Him daily.

4. Our enemy is real and is looking to destroy the work of God through this church.

5. We must be alert and ready to combat the attacks of Satan at all times.

B. What will keep GBT from becoming what God wants us to become?

1. Following religious tradition.

a. Tradition = way of thinking and behaving.

b. Not all traditions are bad.

c. But when tradition replaces the Word of God it is wrong.

d. That is when it hinders the church from doing all it can and from being all it can be.

Mr 7:8, "For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…"

2. Harboring an unforgiving spirit.

a. There is nothing as ungodly as an unforgiving spirit.

b. That sounds strong doesn't it?

c. We are instructed time and again in the Word that we are to forgive others.

(Eph 4:32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

d. We are commanded to forgive as God has forgiven us.

e. We are warned against holding grudges and harboring an unforgiving spirit toward another.

(Mark 11:25a) "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any…"

3. Holding on to our pride.

a. The center of pride is "I"

b. It is selfishness in its most advanced stages.

c. You expect me to do what? Don't you know who I am? How dare they?

d. Pride is such an ugly sin in the life of a believer.

e. Of the six things the Scriptures say that God hates…the first one is the proud look.

(Prov 6:16-19) These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: {17} A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, {18} An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, {19} A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

f. Pride will keep this church from being what God wants us to be.

g. The only way to overcome it is to acknowledge it and replace it with humility.

(1 Pet 5:5-6) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. {6} Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

4. Failing to trust God.

(Prov 3:5-9) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. {6} In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. {7} Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. {8} It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. {9} Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

a. How little we really trust God!

b. We may talk about it, but we don't act like we trust Him.

c. Every time we worry and fret over something that we have no control, we are revealing that we do not trust Him.

d. Every time we refuse to obey Him, we are choosing to lean upon our own understanding.

e. If we do not trust God, we can never become the church that God desires for us to become.

II. God Wants GBT to be United.

A. What does that mean?

1. United in our position - who are we and why do we believe what we believe?

2. United in our vision - where are we headed and why are we going there?

3. United in our mission - what are we doing and why are we doing it?

(Phil 2:2-5) "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. {3} Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. {4} Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. {5} Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"

B. How can we be united?

1. Let's all carry our share of the load.

2. Let's respect one another.

3. Let's come together ready to participate and worship God.

4. Let's all look for ways to add value to the church.

5. Let's use our abilities and God-given gifts to build the church.

6. Let's be positive…even when we may not agree with one another.

7. Let's commit ourselves to prayer for one another, for our ministries, and for our ministers.

8. If we will do these seven things we will be unified!

(Psa 133:1) "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

III. God Wants GBT to be a Growing Church.

A. That means people need to be getting saved.

1. Yes, we are seeing some souls saved.

2. But we need to be producing good fruit.

(Rom 10:13-14) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. {14} How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

B. That means people need to be joining the church.

1. There are far too many folks who are sitting in our pews, but who are not committed to our church.

2. When you join the local church, it is a commitment!

3. But that should never be a reason not to do what is right.

4. The New Testament pattern is clear.

5. People got saved, baptized, and united with the local church.

(Acts 2:41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

C. That means people need to get to work in the church.

1. In the military, the first thing you learn is to never volunteer for anything!

2. I am afraid that has become true in the local church.

3. There is much that can be done…if we are willing to get to work.

4. 24 x 7 = 168 hours a week…how much of that will we commit to doing the work of God?

Soon we will celebrate the 41st anniversary of Grace Baptist Temple. Should the Lord tarry His coming another 41 years, will this church still be alive? Will we still be united in our position, our vision, and our mission? Will we still be seeing souls saved, baptized, and growing? It is up to us! What will we do?