Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Doctrine of the Church

a) The Lord Jesus committed Himself to build the Church  (Matthew 16:18)

b) He has provided for the Life and Vitality of the Church  (Ephesians 1)

2. The Development of the Church

a) Time
50 years

b) People
Hundreds of wonderful brethren have been involved

REFLECTING 50 YEARS OF BLESSING

A. PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

1. Blessed with every spiritual blessing

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

Ephesians 1:3

a) Every spiritual blessing promised

b) Every spiritual blessing manifested

2. Thanksgiving to God for every precious memory

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now

Philippians 1:3-5

3. Thanksgiving to God for a faith that is spoken of worldwide

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Romans 1:8

a) Faith obtained

b) Faith that has reached beyond our shores

4. Thanksgiving for the grace of God expressed in the form of gifts

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,

5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,

6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,

7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Corinthians 1:4-7

a) Grace

b) Enrichment

c) Came short in no gift

5. Thanksgiving to God for Fruitfulness

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;

5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth [b]fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

Colossians 1:3-6

a) Faith

b) Love

c) Hope

d) Fruit

6. Thanksgiving to God for a continuously growing faith

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

2 Thessalonians 1:3

a) Bound to give thanks to God

b) Because faith grows exceedingly

c) Love abounds

7. Thanksgiving to God for faithful Individuals

4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For we have great joy and ]consolation in your love, because the [hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

Philemon 4-7

a) Personal friendship

b) Bonds of Friendship

i) Love

ii) Faith

iii) Sharing of faith

c) Great joy and consolation in your love

d) Hearts of the saints have been refreshed

B. PRAYER AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

1. Love to abound still more and more

2. In knowledge and all discernment

3. To be able to approve the things that are excellent

4. To be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ

5. Filled with the fruits of righteousness through the Lord Jesus Christ

6. To the glory and praise of God

CONCLUSION

20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 make you [complete in every good work to do His will, working in [g]you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21