Family Matters Part 3

Overview

*Three core purposes: the church exists to glorify God (upward), equip & grow believers (inward),

and spread the gospel (outward).

*Gathering matters: regular fellowship prevents spiritual isolation and faith decay — Scripture and

early church practice model daily, communal life.

*Beware false teaching: toxic doctrines and cult-like behaviors cause real harm; discernment and

Scripture-rooted teaching are essential.

*Family church dynamics: being a church-family requires commitment, patience, love, careful

speech, and not 'picking' who belongs.

*Immediate asks: Speaker A asked the worship team to close with a song; Speaker B (Uche) to close

in prayer.

Cults & Toxic Doctrine

*Sought out documentaries about cults to learn how media and social media portray the church.

*Reported parental concern rose recently after previously rare occurrences during 25 years of youth

ministry, citing only two students before the recent increase.

*Viewed a two-episode documentary about a cult active in the 1980s–1990s whose leader traveled to

campuses, distributed cassette tapes, and used signs saying 'don't go to church, go to Jesus'.

*Described the cult's toxic doctrine (including teaching age of accountability = 12) as contributing to

multiple suicides and a mother drowning her four children.

*Recounted attending an early youth conference with the first class of refuge where Jay was born;

that conference is now the subject of a critical documentary.

Why Church Matters (Up/In/Out)

*Church serves three core purposes: upward (worship/glorify God), inward (equip/edify believers),

outward (evangelize/spread the Gospel).

*Upward purpose: worship by gathered believers to glorify God; supported by Ephesians 3:14–21 and

1 Peter 2:9; church functions as a living testimony of Christ in believers.

*Inward purpose: equip the saints for ministry and spiritual maturity through teaching, fellowship,

correction, and Scripture; supported by Ephesians 4:11–13 and 2 Timothy 3:16; edification prevents

susceptibility to false doctrines.

*Outward purpose: fulfill the Great Commission as ambassadors of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians);

spread the Gospel and expand God's kingdom through evangelism and compassionate service.

*Regular gathering is necessary to sustain Christian identity, mutual encouragement, and growth; Acts

2:41–47 recorded 3,000 added and taught increased gathering as the end approaches.

Family Church: Unity & Risks

*Number one reason people stop attending church: people.

*Church is called to be a family; membership is not selectable; include those God draws.

*Familiarity and social media increase risk of weaponizing knowledge against members.

*Reckless words often cause lasting harm; confession noted; James teaches the tongue has life and

death — bridle it.

*Family requires Christ-like love: others' needs above my needs; accept cycles of come and find your

life and come and give your life; pursue unity, prayer, encouragement, sharpening, and lifting.

Closing Exhortation & Prayer

*Called to do weighty things; do not let the devil diminish that calling.

*Individuals (including children) are more important than they realize; children were urged to ask,

'What do you have for me?'

*Drawing close to Him reveals individual purpose.

*Prayer asks God to glorify the calling and continue work in us.

*Prayer seeks unity, forgiveness, love modeled on Jesus, and honesty with self.