ROMANS 16“Everyone has heard about your obedience,

so I am full of joy over you; but I want youto be wise about what is good, and

innocent about what is evil.” Ro.16:19

There is muchconfusion about

the meaning of “Church”.

Church!

THEME

The Church Is

Indispensable To Everyone.

The Bible reveals this fact

– then proves it.

1. IntroductionA Portrait Of The Indispensable Church 1-16, 21-24

Greet ________________, whom I love in the Lord. 8

Greet _______________, our fellow-worker in Christ, and my dear

friend ________________. 9

Greet ________________, tested and approved in Christ. 10

Greet those who belong to the household of ________________.

Greet ________________, my relative. 11

Greet those in the household of ________________, who are in

the Lord.

Greet ________________, and ________________, those

women who work hard in the Lord.

Greet my dear friend ________________, another woman who

has worked very hard in the Lord. 12

2. The Church Is INDISPENSABLE toFaithful Followers

of Jesus

1.Personal Purpose

No one can function aloneand fulfill their purpose because everyone’s purposeincludes others

2. Soul KnowledgeNo one knows everything and thus we need the knowledge and insight of others to fulfill our purpose

3. Grace GiftsEach of us is given a particular gift of grace that rubs off on others. They don’t get yours and you don’t get theirs without the church not part of the picture.The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 20b

4. PersecutionTruth persecution means having help from the church around the world is vital.

5. Soul DevelopmentLearning about and meeting the needs of the soul takes a lifetimeand lots of cooperation and mentoring.

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. 19

6. Soul DangerThe Enemies of God are sneaky – it takes teamwork to overcome them.

I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 17

7. Faith Expression

Our pride and rebellion is hard to see.It takes teamwork to reveal itand root it out.Prayer and worship are designed to be group activities to deal with soul troubles.Singing together is part of the process.

THEME

The Church Is

Indispensable To Everyone.

The Bible reveals this fact

– then proves it.

3. The Church Is INDISPENSABLE toThe Common Man

1.Reveals Soul HealthSalvation, godliness, manners and love

2. Explains the Spiritual

Explains evil, the impossible, the amazing and the weird

3. Voices For God

The Church declares & promotes God’s point of view

4. Supplies of Bibles

Enough Bibles so everyone gets an opportunity to hear and read it

5. Societies Volunteers

The gifts, the help to those in need

6. Exposes Evil

Intervention against denial. Believers are the salt and the light and the church is the arena where salt & light sharpen their taste and brilliance.

7. Defends Ethics

Provides an ongoing supply of ethical understanding to keep the world from being even worse than it is.

THEME

The Church Is

Indispensable To Everyone.

The Bible reveals this fact

– then proves it.

The Last Word In Romans (All 68 of them!)

25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,

26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him--

27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (a 68 word sentence!)

Our Challenge

Become part of the church.

How?

Put your faith in Jesus.

Admit Your Need

Join Him – Join Us.

Let Him In.