Acts 27:31, “Except ye abide in the ship…”
This week we pick up where we left off on Friday, the importance of having Four Main Anchors.
Let’s review two anchors discussed last week.
The first and most important Anchor is God. Settle today in your heart and mind that God exists and that He created you for a specific purpose.
The second Anchor is Faith. We know that without faith it is impossible to please God. Who doesn’t want to please their Father and Creator.
Today, let’s discuss the third ANCHOR – SHIP.
The SHIP I refer to is the local church…the local fellowSHIP. What’s fellowship? That’s “2 or more fellows in the same ship.” That’s where we gather together (congregate, assemble). It’s where we learn God’s Word and learn to serve others. Don’t we love our fellowship? Hmm, why do so many jump overboard?
The Purpose of the Ship.
Jesus organized His church during His ministry on the earth. Matthew 16:18-9 “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Note the phrase “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” He is not speaking to Peter, but to the New Testament Church. “...the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” The New Testament (NT) Church is the vessel (ship) by which we preach the gospel. The NT Church is the vehicle (ship) by which we take the Good News to the world. That’s the purpose of the ship!
Hear me now, salvation is not in trusting in the church, but in Christ. The church is the messenger. One of the reasons there are so many fragmented fellowSHIPS and confusion in the Gospel of salvation is that individuals have broken off from the NT Church. They have begun a private presentation of the message of salvation. That is not God’s intent. The command to evangelize the world was given to the NT Church. We have to be part of a ship!
The Importance of the Ship.
Some people place very little value and importance on the church/ship. They have too many of this world’s goods to be of benefit to God. The very blessings that they have received from God keep them from faithfully going to His house.
Let’s review some daily practices that some believers engage in.
They use the automobile He gave them to travel on the weekend, which takes them out of church.
They use the money He gives them to purchase unnecessary things that takes money away from the offering plate at church. The average Christian keeps himself in debt for things that are not necessary, working to pay those bills keep him from helping at the church.
They use the nice home He gave them to sleep in on Sunday and skip church.
What does it take to keep you out of Church or off the Ship? Sickness? Employment? Recreation? Family members? If you wait until everything is “just right” to join a fellowSHIP, sadly you will never join the crew.
The bottom line, what keeps you from staying on the ship, faithfully serving and using your gifts and talents for the fellowship? Sickness, Employment (you know the job your prayed to get), your children, those God graciously gave you? If the devil can get you to compromise once, he’ll keep providing you plenty of reasons to “jump overboard”. Know that staying on course is the key to having success in you and your family member's lives.
Let’s review two anchors discussed last week.
The first and most important Anchor is God. Settle today in your heart and mind that God exists and that He created you for a specific purpose.
The second Anchor is Faith. We know that without faith it is impossible to please God. Who doesn’t want to please their Father and Creator.
Today, let’s discuss the third ANCHOR – SHIP.
The SHIP I refer to is the local church…the local fellowSHIP. What’s fellowship? That’s “2 or more fellows in the same ship.” That’s where we gather together (congregate, assemble). It’s where we learn God’s Word and learn to serve others. Don’t we love our fellowship? Hmm, why do so many jump overboard?
The Purpose of the Ship.
Jesus organized His church during His ministry on the earth. Matthew 16:18-9 “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Note the phrase “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” He is not speaking to Peter, but to the New Testament Church. “...the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” The New Testament (NT) Church is the vessel (ship) by which we preach the gospel. The NT Church is the vehicle (ship) by which we take the Good News to the world. That’s the purpose of the ship!
Hear me now, salvation is not in trusting in the church, but in Christ. The church is the messenger. One of the reasons there are so many fragmented fellowSHIPS and confusion in the Gospel of salvation is that individuals have broken off from the NT Church. They have begun a private presentation of the message of salvation. That is not God’s intent. The command to evangelize the world was given to the NT Church. We have to be part of a ship!
The Importance of the Ship.
Some people place very little value and importance on the church/ship. They have too many of this world’s goods to be of benefit to God. The very blessings that they have received from God keep them from faithfully going to His house.
Let’s review some daily practices that some believers engage in.
They use the automobile He gave them to travel on the weekend, which takes them out of church.
They use the money He gives them to purchase unnecessary things that takes money away from the offering plate at church. The average Christian keeps himself in debt for things that are not necessary, working to pay those bills keep him from helping at the church.
They use the nice home He gave them to sleep in on Sunday and skip church.
What does it take to keep you out of Church or off the Ship? Sickness? Employment? Recreation? Family members? If you wait until everything is “just right” to join a fellowSHIP, sadly you will never join the crew.
The bottom line, what keeps you from staying on the ship, faithfully serving and using your gifts and talents for the fellowship? Sickness, Employment (you know the job your prayed to get), your children, those God graciously gave you? If the devil can get you to compromise once, he’ll keep providing you plenty of reasons to “jump overboard”. Know that staying on course is the key to having success in you and your family member's lives.
Action Step: Have you taken the Oath of Enlistment to join the crew of the Ship? If not, you may make that commitment. It’s as simple as ABC! Ask God to forgive you of your sins, Believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, died on a cross for your sin, paid the penalty of death, and Confess with your mouth the Lordship of Jesus in your life. Share the news on how to join the crew and train others to serve on the SHIP.
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