"Authority Applied: The Church" (Matthew 16:18-19; 18:18-20; 28:16-20)

It can be common to view the church like one of many other non-profit organizations trying to do good in our world. However, Scripture makes clear that the church is wholly different. It's a powerful institution given spiritual authority as an embassy of God's heavenly kingdom. This Sunday we'll consider what kind of authority the church has, and why every Christian should submit to one.

This series is based loosely on the book, Authority by Jonathan Leeman.

Keep the Faith (1 Timothy 4:1-16)

Chapter 3 ended on a high note with a beautiful hymn declaring the glory of the church and her Savior. But chapter 4 brings us back down to earth, so to speak, with a grave warning about those who fall away from the faith. How should Timothy and the saints in Ephesus to guard themselves and minister to others in light of this? And how can we watch out for this ourselves and for one another?

Leading God’s Church: A Noble Task (1 Timothy 3:1-13)

"Authority" is not a very popular word in our culture today that idolizes no-strings-attached freedom and self-expression seemingly above all else. Yet God ordains and delights in authority—good authority—especially in the church. We'll see how God's design for leadership in his church serves to guard and witness to the gospel.

How to Be Great (Matthew 18:1-9)

How do you measure greatness? Maybe you're watching athletes competing in the Olympics or you're looking up to leaders in your vocational field. But who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus says it's the one who is most like a child. We'll see on Sunday what Jesus means by this and how we can aspire to be great in his kingdom.

Church Leadership: Overcoming the Church's Greatest Threat (Acts 6:1-7)

What is the greatest threat to the local church? What would most prevent the church from being The Dearest Place on Earth that God designed us to be? Is it Satan? Division and conflict? Hypocrisy? No, there is something deeper than any of these things. The events from Acts 6:1-7 not only shows us our greatest threat, but also how we can overcome it through Christ-like servant-leadership in the local church.