Sermon: A Church That Meets the Deepest Needs

Sermon Date: 1/19/ 2025

Bible Verses: Romans 12:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Acts 2:42-47

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning

Introduction

• I have been reading a thirty-year-old book, Vital Ministry Issues by Roy B. Zuck.
• In it, Zuck states that people are looking for three things: transcendence, significance, and community.
• Though written decades ago, this is still true today. The human heart longs for something greater than itself.
• The church should provide all three through worship, teaching, and fellowship.
• Zuck writes, "The only question is whether the church can be so radically renewed by the Word of God and the Spirit of God that it offers an experience of transcendence in its worship, significance through it's teaching, and community through its fellowship. For if so, people will turn to it eagerly in their quest, and proclamation of the good news will have a credibility that otherwise it would lack."

1. We Need Transcendence in Our Worship

Key Scripture: John 4:23-24 – “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

• What is transcendence?
  • It is experiencing something beyond ourselves—encountering the presence of God.
  • Worship is not about rituals or emotions; it is about meeting God.
• Biblical Examples:
  • Isaiah 6:1-5 – “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
    The whole earth is full of His glory!” 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am [a]undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips,
    And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”
  • Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up and was overwhelmed by His holiness.
  • Revelation 4 – A vision of heavenly worship shows the majesty of God.
  • Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
• Application:
  • Do we come to church expecting to meet God?
  • Worship should be God-centered, not entertainment-centered.
  • True worship leads to transformation (Romans 12:1-2).

1. We Need Significance in Our Teaching

Key Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

• People seek meaning in life.
  • The world offers many false sources of significance—success, money, popularity.
  • Only God’s Word gives true wisdom and purpose.
• Biblical Examples:
  • Matthew 7:24-27 – The wise man builds his life on the rock of God’s Word.
  • Psalm 119:105 – God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
• Application:
  • Churches must prioritize biblical preaching and teaching over trends and opinions.
  • Are we studying and applying the Word in our daily lives?
  • Teaching should equip believers to live faithfully (Ephesians 4:11-12).

III. We Need Community in Our Fellowship

Key Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 – " And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

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, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

 

• God created us for community.
  • From the beginning, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).
  • The church is not just an event; it is a family.
• Biblical Examples:
  • Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
  • Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
• Application:
  • True fellowship is more than socializing—it is sharing life together.
  • Are we actively involved in our church community?
  • How can we build stronger relationships within the body of Christ?

Conclusion

• People today are searching for transcendence, significance, and community.
• The church should meet these needs:

1. Transcendence in worship – Seeking God’s presence.
2. Significance in teaching – Grounding life in God’s truth.
3. Community in fellowship – Living as the family of God.

If we prioritize these things, we will have a strong, biblical church that draws people to Christ.