20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. ²¹Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. ²²And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

INTRO.: Just what should we find when we go to the House of the Lord? What should people expect? Should they be allowed to have expectations? Should we present to them anything that falls in the norm of what people expect about church?

Last week I preached about the words people should hear when they come to the Lord's House, specifically, the Words of God, the Words of truth, Words of love, Words of encouragement, and the Words of hope. These are all things they need to hear from our church or our fellowship of believers.

Today I want to speak about "The Deeds Of Our Church." Now there are many sayings that fit what I am about to deal with today. "Talk is cheap!" "Put your money where your mouth is!" "Put up or shut up!" Even the simple, "Show me!" Or "Prove it." And probably the best one, "Your actions speak so loud, I cannot hear a word you are saying." We need more than words when we deal with those around us. When we deal with our neighbors and friends. And most especially when we deal with our family members.

I want more from my wife than a few words like, "I love you." Or even if she is carried away and blurts out, "You are the nicest, handsomest, smartest, most desirable, most wonderful husband in the world." - Yeah I know fat chance. But, I want more than just words, I want to see the evidence that she cares for me. And people want to receive more from us than a few words like, "We care." Let us get into the message.

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I see the people around us needing to see three main actions from our lives… They need to see Change and Challenge, also they are looking for Consistency and Commitment, and if we make a difference in their lives they need to see Caring and Compassion.

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Cor. 5:1-4 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ²For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: ³If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. ⁴For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

2 Cor. 5:12-15 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. ¹³For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. ¹⁴For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: ¹⁵And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

John 13:34-35 ³⁴A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.