FOUNDATIONAL SERMONS - The Priorities of the Church

As a pastor, there are certain sermon series you preach that after completing them (or as you are completing them) you determine to be foundational to the growth and well-being of the church.  As a foundational series, it becomes a resource that every member of the church, whether it is a member that has been a part of the fellowship for many years or a new member who has only been around a few months, needs to hear.  In fact, it become a resource that members can go back to from time to time to refocus their Christian walk and their commitment to the church.

In this sermon series, which was first delivered at Pawnee Baptist Church in May and June of 2015, we explored the priorities of the church.  What makes it foundational is the fact that these priorities represent those things that should be of highest importance in the life of the church.  They come from two primary sources – the first being the two greatest commandments and the second being the four things that the early church dedicated themselves to in Acts 2:42.  Together they are

• Love the Lord Your God
• Love Your Neighbor
• The Apostle’s Teaching
• Fellowship
• The Lord’s Supper
• Prayer

As a church, if we cannot categorize our activities into one of these six priorities, then there is a good chance we ought not to be doing those activities.   I encourage you to download and listen to each of these sermons as you have opportunity.

The  description of and audio link to each sermon is below:

Love The Lord Your God

Audio Link: https://app.box.com/s/ysg88lddug47w54hztt70hfl19cr290d

Description:  The single greatest commandment in scripture is the Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  Since it is the single greatest commandment, then it must be our highest priority.

Love Your Neighbor

Audio Link: https://app.box.com/s/gjhvcf4g4awm65zhe73d5pux0x5ug1dz

Description:  When Jesus was asked about the single greatest commandment, he was quick to follow up and provide the second greatest commandment as well – to love your neighbor as yourself. 

The Apostle’s Teaching

Audio Link: https://app.box.com/s/zgmy138vlf4tal2kfynpdde241ffqy1l

Description: The Apostle’s Teaching represents instruction in God’s word.  Next to the two greatest commandments, there is no higher priority in the church than its focus on God’s  Word.

Fellowship

Audio Link: https://app.box.com/s/kutqo8omf0jiztluvru1nahi95fxuo15

Description:  The early church was in fellowship with each other daily.  They spend time with each other, encouraging one another and enjoying each other’s company.  However, there was always an objective to their fellowship.

The Lord’s Supper

Audio Link: https://app.box.com/s/jke62dwohdomaez2xd4dhl5n94f3fard

Description:  Acts 2:42 actually calls this the breaking of the bread, which could mean eating together, but the real priority intended is the Lord’s Supper.  Every time we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are proclaiming our faith in Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Audio Link: https://app.box.com/s/lqn0sg1y4np3if2rrdkuwlxrbkyoou49

Description:  Prayer is such an important part of a believer’s life.  There is power in prayer.  The prayer of a righteous man is affective as it works.  It must be a priority in the life of the church as well.