CARE GROUPS

1 Corinthians 12:20-26 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. (21) And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." (22) No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. (23) And those members of the body which we think to

be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, (24) but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given

greater honor to that part which lacks it, (25) that there should be no schism in the body, but that the

members should have the same care for one another. (26) And if one member suffers, all the

members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

C.A.R.E.A. What are C.A.R.E. Groups?

1. When we become a Christian we become a part of God’s family.

2. A major characteristic of the family is the care that each member has for the others in the family

3. Sometimes it is easier to meet needs in smaller groups - Exodus 18:17-21 Jethro and Moses - groups of 1,000, 100, 50, 10.

B. What does it mean to “care” for others?

C - CARING FOR ONE ANOTHERA. Helping one another - (Gal 6:2) Bear one

another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

B. Loving one another1. (John 13:35) "By this all will know that you are

My disciples, if you have love for one another." 2. (1 Pet 1:22) Since you have purified your souls in

obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,C. Share concerns - (Phil 2:4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

C - CARING FOR ONE ANOTHERC. Building up one another

1. Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

2. Romans 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

3. Ephes. 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

A - ASSIMILATION INTO THE LIFE & WORK OF THE CHURCH

A. (Eph 4:11-13) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

B. (Acts 6:3) "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

A - ASSIMILATION INTO THE LIFE & WORK OF THE CHURCH

C. (Rom 12:4-8) For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, {5} so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. {6} Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; {7} or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; {8} he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

R - RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE STRONG & ENDURING

A. (1 Th 2:8) So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

B. (Acts 2:46) So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

C. (1 Pet 1:22) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

E - EVANGELISM TO WIN AND DISCIPLE OTHERS TO CHRIST

A. (Mat 28:19-20) "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

B. (2 Tim 2:2) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

C. (Phil 2:14-16) Do all things without complaining and disputing, {15} that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, {16} holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

DO YOU CARE?

A. Are you active in a CARE Group?B. Are you CARING about the needs of others

in the church?C. Are you ASSIMILATING other into the work

of the church?D. Are you RELATING increasingly with others

within the church?E. Are you EVANGELIZING those around you?

Sharing Jesus with them?

TONIGHT’S SERMONRUN THE RACE