The Door Maastricht - What we do

Why do we come together?

> 'Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching' (Hebrews 10:25)

So it is very important to God that we as Christians come together.

> 'For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' (Matthew 18:20)

We come together to listen to preaching… that is, listening to God's Word and God's truth.

> '... how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?' (Romans 10:14)

So, we need preaching to be able to grow in faith. The first Christians grew so fast, because they stuck to the preaching of the apostles and the fellowship with each other.
> 'And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers'. (Acts 2:42)

The most important reason to come together is that Christians need each other. The Bible says that the church is the body of Jesus Christ and that every Christian is a part of that body.
> 'And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.' (1 Corinthians 12:21)

In other words, no one can be a Christian and say: "I don't need other Christians".

Music and songs of worship

Why do we use all different kinds of musical instruments when we sing? God loves music and enthusiasm!

> 'Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.' (Psalm 150:3-6)

> 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.' (Colossians 3:16-17)

Worship

We praise God for all the things He has done and is still going to do in our lives. We do this not just with our minds, but also with our spirits. This means that we praise Him in a tongue (in different languages). This was very common in the first church in the New Testament.

> 'Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts... For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God... He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself' (1 Corinthians 14:1,2,4)

Worshipping and praising God is actually showing how much God means to you.
> 'I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.' (1 Corinthians 13:15)

Why do we clap in our hands?
> 'O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.' (Psalm 74:1)

Pleas to pray

During the prayer we plea God for special needs. For example for people who do not know God, that they will ask Jesus in their hearts (this is what it means to get saved), or for healing or for people who go through a difficult time.

In Acts 4 you can read that this is a Biblical principle.
> 'Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.' (James 5:16)

Altar call

After every sermon or activity, like a film or music evening, we do an altar call so people can react to God's Word.

> Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart... Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost... Then they that gladly received his word... and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2)

From this we can draw the conclusion that they gave a sign when they wanted to make a choice for Jesus. We ask people to give this sign by raising their hands.

Live music or films

Some Saturdays we organise an evening with live acts and live gospel music, videos and great drama-acts. Other Saturdays we show impressing films. Afterwards we have a great time with candy, drinks and snacks. Check the calendar for up-to-date information!!

[Go to 'Activities']

Street activities

Every Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon it's time for outreach. We go out into the streets to sing, preach, play drama and pray for the sick. With joy we announce the good news of Jesus, the Messiah and the Redeemer.

> 'Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.' (Luke 9:1-2)

> 'And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following'. (Mark 16:20)

> 'And it shall turn to you for a testimony' (Luke 21:13)

Fulfilment of the Holy Spirit

We pray for the fulfilment of the Holy Spirit.

> 'But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.' (Acts 1:8)

Preaching of the gospel throughout the world

We regularly go to other churches of our fellowship both in Holland and abroad, to support them, not just financially, but also with music, drama and outreach.

> And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)

Adults are being baptised

> 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.' (Mark 16:16)

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

> 'The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ' (1 Peter 3:21)

Children are dedicated to God

> 'Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.' (Matthew 19:13-15)

Sunday school for the children

Jesus was very clear about the importance to involve children in the Gospel. If children learn to do what's right with the principles of the Bible, they will be able to make good (sensible) decisions later on in life. Jesus stresses that parents and adults need to be good examples for the children.

> 'And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?' (Matthew 21:15-16)

> And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (Matthew 18:5)

Why do we, as a church, take all this effort?

> ... yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. (1 Corinthians 9:19)

> ... that I might gain them that are without law. (1 Corinthians 9:22)

Why is Jesus Christ the only way?

> Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

> For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Involvement in discipleship & church planting

We are involved in discipleship and church planting, because Jesus Himself called all believers to do this.
It is great to be saved and to be set free from sin! It is great to be allowed to be a witness of this for Him!
It is very important to train yourself in purity, honesty, etc. so God Himself can use you.

> 'Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' (Matthew 28:19-20)