Series: "All Hands on Deck: The Ships of the Church"

Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC

July 12, 2026

1. Elders Guard and Direct the Mission of the Church (Titus 1:5-9)

2. The Elder's Role is to Shepherd the Members (1 Peter 5:1-5)

3. The Elder's Purpose is to Equip the Members (Eph. 4:11-12)

4. The Elder's Qualifications are Established by God (1 Tim. 3:1-7)

5. The Church Examines, Affirms, and then Obeys the Elders (1 Thess. 5:12-13)

Church leadership is not about power or prestige. It is about faithful service to God and His people. The Bible establishes a clear pattern for church leadership through a plurality of elders who shepherd, protect, and equip the congregation. These leaders are held to a high standard of character and conduct, as outlined in passages like 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5. Their primary purpose is not to do all the ministry themselves, but to equip every member of the church for the work of ministry. The congregation plays an active role as well, examining and affirming leaders and then submitting to their God-given authority. When this biblical model is followed, the mission of the gospel multiplies far beyond what any one person could accomplish alone.

Series: All Hands on Deck: the Ships of the Church

Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC

July 5, 2026

1. Fellowship Means Participation in Something Bigger than Yourself (vv. 42-44)

2. Fellowship Means Experiencing the Love We Were Created For (v. 42, 46)

3. Fellowship Means Being Present for One Another (vv. 44-45)

4. Fellowship Means Sharing Life Beyond Sunday (v. 46)

5. Fellowship Means Making the Gospel Visible (v. 47)

Fellowship is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the church. Most people associate it with potlucks and social gatherings, but the Bible describes something far deeper. Rooted in the Greek word koinonia, true fellowship means active participation in a shared mission, experiencing the love we were created for, being consistently present with one another, and sharing life beyond Sunday. Acts 2 shows us a church so marked by genuine love and connection that people on the outside could not stay away. Real fellowship is not a program or an event. It is a way of life, and it is one of the greatest gifts Jesus won for us through the cross.

Series: All Hands on Deck: The Ships of the Church

Pastor Michael Gay

Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC

June 28, 2026

1. The Transaction of Grace: 1 Cor. 6:19-20

2. The Security of Ownership: Rom. 14:7-8

3. The Daily Surrender: Gal. 2:20

True freedom is not found in self-reliance. It is found in surrendering to the right master. Every person serves one of two masters: their own sinful nature or God. At the cross, Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price to redeem us, which means we now belong to Him completely. That ownership is not a burden. It is the greatest security we could ever have. When we understand the heart of the One asking for our surrender, everything changes. He loved us first, He gave everything, and His love never runs out. True freedom comes from trusting the One who already knows the outcome and loves us enough to lead us through it.