Acts 2:1-4

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

Today, we celebrate Pentecost, the day the church was born through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Surely, no day could be more appropriate to present the State of the Church message.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH IS TO BE A PLACE OF SALVATION FROM SIN:

1. The church is the place where we come to see lives salvaged . Acts 26:18

“to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

2. The church, when functioning according to God?s purpose, is constantly lifting up Christ. Luke 12:8-12

“I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. 9But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH IS TO GLORIFY GOD IN WORSHIP:

1. TCN will succeed in saving souls only so long as it continues to glorify God. Matthew 6:33

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

2. TCN has innumerable activities. If these activities cease to be used as a means to salvation, they will have no meaning whatsoever. Matthew 7:24-26

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.”

3. TCN will always fulfill God?s purpose when believers are filled with the Spirit of Jesus. Ephesians 5:18-20

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“We are not going to move this world by criticism of it nor conformity to it, but by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God.” -Vance Havner