Church
Today, on this final Sunday of the year, we are going to visit a biblical truth that is essential for the Christian life! We're going to talk about church… We will begin our study by focusing on the first time the word "church" appears in the Bible, and then explore just about everything that is said about the church. This is more of a thematic approach to our subject.
Now, I realize the listening guide can be a bit overwhelming. I believe each point is important, or it wouldn't be in the message, but if this proves to be the case, let me encourage you to set the guide aside and simply stay with me. You can always go to our church's website and listen to this message again to get all the points…
You may think that church is optional, not essential – and if that is you, I hope that you are persuaded otherwise by the time we reach the end of this message.
The concept of church is not man's idea – it's God's! If church were merely a social construct, then it would be subject to change with the whims of society… But church is God's idea! Church is God's gift to His people… Ironically, it is the gift of God's people – to God's people!
Before we proceed, perhaps we should clarify what we are talking about. Let's define our terms…
Just what does the Bible mean by the term "church"? Let's look at the first place the word occurs… Jesus uses the term first. It's found in –
Matthew 16:18
"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
The original term translated into English as "church", is the word ἐκκλησία… (Theologians refer to the study of the church, as ecclesiology…) The literal meaning of ἐκκλησία is "called out", or "called out ones"... Most of the time, it is translated "church". There are a few times, it is translated as "assembly"...
We don't find that term in the OT, except in the Greek translation of the OT, which is called the Septuagint (LXX)... There it is used to refer to the "assembly", or "gathering" of God's people – but, as we will see, it is not the exact concept that we find in the NT.
So far, we can conclude that the term "church" has to do with … the gathering of a people… The question is; what people? Does the gathering of people in Neyland Stadium to watch a football game constitute church? Does an assembly of 34,000 plus at the recent AmFest constitute the assembly of a church?...
John MacArthur says that – "The true church is the society of the delivered…"
The biblical use of the term "church" is solely in reference to "the society of the delivered" – "the redeemed"...
Let's see if we can get a clarification from what the Lord has told us in His Word… The term "church" appears well over 100 times in the NT, and there are two ways in which the term "church" is used in the NT.
There are two distinct ways the term church is used in the NT. The first is to refer to –
● The "Universal Church" – refers to the totality of born again people.
The universal church is the totality of all the redeemed, no matter when they have lived… In heaven, the totality of all born again peoples will be gathered – as the church.
There are at least 12 distinct times when the term "church" refers to the universal church… Listen to –
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
Acts 20:28
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Matthew 16:18
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
The second way ἐκκλησία, or church is used, is to refer to –
● The "Local Church" – refers to a specific organized assembly.
The word ἐκκλησία is used for the local church 99 times in the NT…
For example –
1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
Colossians 4:16a
When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans;
If you are saved, you are a member of the universal church. Whenever, wherever, you encounter another born again person, you are encountering a brother or sister in Christ…
God's will is for every Christian to be a part – a member – of a faithful, biblically defined and regulated, local body of believers – a local church!
Now, there is a lot to say about the church, so let's dive right in…
The first thing that needs to be established, and clarified is the truth about –
1. The Cornerstone of the Church
Let's take a closer look at what Jesus said, when He introduced the word "church" to us… In a dialogue with Peter, and let's read it in context…
Matthew 16:13-19
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
Look again to the first part of verse :18 –
Matthew 16:18a
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church;
The Roman Catholic Church uses this passage to justify their belief that Peter was the foundation of the church and was given authority over it and that this authority has been passed down to the Popes even until today. This is not what Jesus was teaching.
Simon means; "vacillating one", shifting, moody, changing… but Jesus directly addresses him as Peter!
Peter – (πέτρος) – a rock, a stone, a piece of rock
Rock – (πέτρα) – a foundation rock, a bedrock, a gigantic rock
Jesus was using a play on words here. He was saying, "You are Peter (small stone) and on this rock (large foundation stone or bedrock) I will build My church.
The word "rock" can be interpreted in one of two ways… The first way this has been interpreted is to say that –
● It refers to Peter's confession.
Matthew 16:16
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
In the Greek, this shows a very powerful confession of the deity of Christ. It is a short statement of only 10 words, but it has 4 definite articles. It literally says, "You are THE Christ, THE son of THE God, THE living One". The word "son" reflects a oneness with the Father. It is what Jesus meant when He said in –
John 10:30
I and the Father are one.
So, in Peter's confession, he is acknowledging that Jesus is the Lord – the Lord God, Himself in the flesh! Every Christian acknowledges the Lordship of Christ, so logically, we can see how the confession of this truth is … foundational to the church…
The second interpretation of this statement is –
● It refers to Jesus Himself.
Going back what Jesus says about the πέτρα, a foundation stone, it seems that – that is the emphasis Jesus is making…
Listen to what the Apostle Paul later writes to the Corinthians –
1 Corinthians 3:11
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Peter says this about Jesus as well, in –
Acts 4:11
He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone.
Paul said the the Ephesians that they enjoy the same grace that Messianic Jews do, because they have –
Ephesians 2:20
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
This seems to have been the way that Peter understood what Jesus said… Let's read what Peter wrote about this –
1 Peter 2:4-8
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:
"Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed."
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,
"The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the very corner stone,"
8 and,
"A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense";
for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
So, we see the Jesus is the Cornerstone of the church… Next, Let's look at –
2. The Construction of the Church
Look again to Jesus' word –
Matthew 16:18a
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church;
Jesus is not only the foundation of the church; He is the builder and owner of the church. The church is not a democracy; it is a dictatorship and Jesus is the dictator because it is His church!
Jesus builds His church!
Let's make another observation about Peter's words –
1 Peter 2:4-5
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
The church is made up of people who were dead (like stones) but now are alive in Christ (living stones)...
We can, and should draw several conclusions at this point… First –
● It is His Church
Jesus is the head, the owner, the ruler, the sovereign over the church! Every style of church government must recognize this fact and govern the church appropriately.
● He Builds His Church
Listen to an interesting description of the first church –
Acts 2:47b
… And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
That was my desire from day one, after the merger in our church history… Almost 9 years ago, when the merger occurred in our church's history, and several of us came to Norwood to invest our lives here, there was a passage that came to my mind that became a clarion call for me...
Psalm 127:1a
Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;
If that was true for Solomon in the building of the Temple, surely it is true of the … NT church!
We are to never trust in programs or gimmicks to build the church. True growth is from Christ.
Our task is to be faithful to what is revealed in the Word of God about how to function as a church that He will bless.
Next, let's think about –
3. The Character of the Church
Let's go back to the very meaning of the word "church"... Do you remember?...
Ekklessia (ἐκκλησία) – "called out", or "called out ones"
The church is made up of those who have been:
- called out of darkness into light (1 John 1:5-6)
- called out of the kingdom of Satan into the Kingdom of God's dear Son (Colossians 1:13)
- called out of death into life (1 John 3:14)
- called from the worship of idols to the worship of the true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9)
Let's consider –
4. The Conquest of the Church
Jesus said –
Matthew 16:18
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
What a statement! Think about this with me… If the church is built upon Christ, is built by Christ, and remains faithful to Christ – what can happen to her?
There have been many attacks against the church, and yet, her assailants will not prevail!
Consider what Jesus said here!
● Death will not prevail.
Hades is the place of the dead. Jesus defeated death and those in Christ share His victory. Death is a defeated enemy… Listen to the words of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul –
1 Corinthians 15:55-58
55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
There have been countless … local churches that have died! But death has not destroyed the church!
Consider also that –
● The Devil's plans will not prevail.
Jesus said –
Matthew 16:18
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
We think of a gate as a defensive implement, not an offensive one… So, what does Jesus mean by invoking this term… Here is where we need to understand context. In those days, the gate was where business was conducted and plans were made…
Jesus is saying that the devil's schemes, agenda, and plans to harm the church are doomed to ultimate failure!
So, we have thought about –
The Cornerstone of the Church
The Construction of the Church
The Character of the Church
The Conquest of the Church
Let's move on to –
5. The Charge to the Church
The truth is, this could be a series of sermons unto themselves, but for the rest of our time today, think with me about the work of the church – the work that is to be carried out until Jesus comes!
There is a nine-fold charge given to the church, and in reality these need to be seen as all working together! We don't do one, and then go on to another. We start with one, continue that one, and look for opportunities for all the rest – all at the same time!...
Let's begin with the charge to –
● Preach
Paul gave this charge to the young pastor, Timothy – but it is charge for the every pastor – every church – throughout every generation!
2 Timothy 4:2
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
MacArthur said –
John MacArthur – "The basic task of the church is to teach sound doctrine. It is not to give one pastor's opinion, to recite tear-jerking illustrations that play on emotions, to raise funds, to present programs and entertainment, or to give weekly devotionals. In Titus 2:1 Paul writes, 'But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.'"
The generation in which we live, needs God's Word!
We are also charged to –
● Pray
Jesus had an issue with what Judaism had done to the Temple, when He entered the Temple for the last time and drove those who were selling out – then He said to them –
Luke 19:46
saying to them, "It is written, 'And My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a robbers' den."
God has given every generation the privilege and responsibility to … pray! It is the life-line, but for far too many, it is a dead line… There is little to no prayer life in a weak church…
The church's prayer life is only as strong as the prayer life of her members! No "prayer meeting" can be a substitute for your personal prayer time with the Lord!
How is your prayer life? Listen, this isn't a call to do something that is … empty and dry! This is a call to discover, or rediscover, the joy of communion with God in your prayer life!
I recently read again where Donald S. Whitney said –
Donald S. Whitney – "Many Christians feel defeated in their prayer lives. To pray even five-to-seven minutes seems like an eternity, and their minds wander much of that time. 'I guess it's me,' many conclude. 'I'm just a second-rate Christian.' No, if you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and generally seeking to live in obedience to God's Word, then the problem likely isn't you, but your method… Let the words of Scripture be the words of your prayers… By praying through a passage of Scripture, you'll find yourself praying about most of 'the same old things,' but in brand new ways. You'll likely be able to turn to any part of the Bible and pray through it.
This is certainly one way of refreshing – and deepening – your prayer life.
Listen, prayer is more than a strategy; it is the means of empowerment and direction for all of the charges God has given to His church. The ultimate goal of a church in relation to prayer is to develop a culture of prayer that permeates the whole church.
Next, let's think about –
● Worship
Preaching is a part of worship. Prayer is a part of worship… But sadly, you can preach, or pray, and … miss worship! So what are we talking about?
Jesus told the woman at the weel –
John 4:23-24
23 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
Worship comes from the heart! It is you – expressing your love for, your adoration of, and your appreciation to God! Worship is something felt! It is something expressed! And it is something experienced in the heart that is surrendered to God!
Worship is to be both corporate and private. Lives immersed in private worship will ensure dynamic corporate worship when those private worshippers gather together!
I hope you have been truly worshipping here today!
Now listen – these first three charges – these "strategies" for the church – preach, pray, and worship – are bedrock to what follows!
What follows may have a logical progression, but you are not always able to divide them… There may be times when one is being emphasized in a project, or a meeting, but in reality, they … just sort of happen … organically as the Holy Spirit operates in and through the life of a church.
May the Lord give us a heart and a determination to see these things happen… Next, the charge to –
● Evangelize
Evangelism is more than sharing the gospel with someone – it is that – but it is more than that… Evangelism comes out of a heart – a heart filled with love – a heart … deeply burdened for those with whom you seek to share the gospel!
Though Psalm 126 was written to express joy when God's people came through, and out of captivity – it is a psalm that expresses a promise that is applicable to the process of evangelism as well!
Psalm 126:5-6
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.
6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
As with prayer, the goal is that evangelism becomes a way of life. Training is necessary, but the goal is lifestyle evangelism.
A sobering and clarifying truth that was expressed by the Anglican Archbishop, William Temple says it best –
William Temple – "The Church is the only cooperative society in the world that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members."
People won't come to the realization of their need for Christ, without someone … sharing the gospel!
What comes next is the charge to –
● Disciple
Jesus said –
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
I liked Dever's definition of discipleship. He turns it into a verb, and calls it discipleing…
Mark Dever – "Discipling is deliberately doing spiritual good to someone so that he or she will be more like Christ. Discipleship is the term I use to describe our own following Christ. Discipling is the subset of that, which is helping someone else follow Christ."
A Pettyized tweak – "Discipleship is simply helping each other follow Jesus."
The NT is filled with practical instructions for doing this very thing! Look up the phrase "one another", and you will find it used 100 times in the NASB'95… Many of those times are in the form of an imperative – a command!
It would be a sermon onto itself, for us to explore all of the "one another" passages and see what God has charged us to do.
In your listening guide, you will find a very helpful list of some of these "one another" passages… Spend to time turning to those commands, and … pray through each one… That will help us become better in … helping each other follow Jesus!
Key Positive "One Another" Commands:
- Love: (John 13:34, Rom. 13:8, 1 Pet.1:22).
- Serve: (Gal. 5:13).
- Honor: (Rom. 12:10).
- Accept: (Rom. 15:7).
- Forgive: (Eph. 4:32).
- Encourage and Build Up: (1 Thess. 5:11).
- Pray for: (James 5:16).
- Confess sins to: (James 5:16).
- Bear burdens: (Gal. 6:2).
- Live in peace/harmony: (Mark 9:50, Rom. 12:16).
- Be subject/humble toward: (Eph. 5:21, 1 Pet. 5:5).
- Show hospitality: (1 Pet. 4:9).
Key Negative Commands (What NOT to do):
- Judge: (Rom. 14:13).
- Lie To: (Col. 3:9).
- Slander/speak evil of: (James 4:11).
- Grumble against: (James 5:9).
- Provoke/envy: (Gal. 5:26).
- Bite and devour each other: (Gal. 5:15).
It is interesting to note, that … technically, evangelism and discipleship are not two separate strategies. They actually go hand-in-hand…
Next comes –
● Minister
Listen to the charge Peter gives the church –
1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Every Christian has a special gift, a spiritual gift that is given by the Holy Spirit to be employed in the life and ministry of the church!
Now, we don't have time today to explore all the gifts that are given today, but as you grow in Christ, and in your relationships with other Christians, you will come to realize more how the Lord has gifted you for His service.
I realize that often there are things that take place behind the scenes, that some of you are involved in ministering without a limelight, and that is okay!...
In fact, there are things that all of us share, and you may not even realize it… Recently NBC was privileged to provide a meal to the teachers of Northwest Elementary, when Lisa Dovenbarger and her children brought ministry to that campus!
Just yesterday – you provided lunch for the Honor Guard who are standing around the clock service for KCSO, Chief Deputy Lyon who's funeral will be this Tuesday…
Many of you are, or have been involved with the –Bible Release Time that occurs on this campus each month throughout the school year.
VBS every summer requires all-hands-on-deck for our church even have a VBS…
The Men's Breakfast has involved the teaching from many, and the meal from a few…
The Women meet quarterly for fellowship around the Word as well…
The point is – ministry takes the participation of everyone … in one way, or another… How are you involved?
One thing is certain, you will never come to know and enjoy your area of gifting if you never … roll up your sleeves and get in the game of serving!
Too many churches, and I'm afraid ours is included, become comfortable with 20% of the people doing 80% of the work! How you are involved?
There are some who are serving in areas of great need … who are tired – tired because they are not able to rotate out of that area for a break, or to enjoy an adult class themselves… There are needs in the children's department…
Every member of the church needs to be involved in some type of ministry that is tied in primarily or secondarily to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Next, let's think about –
● Missions
Jesus said –
Acts 1:8
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
Missions are evangelism and discipleship across language, cultural, and / or distance barriers…
We have partners in ministry and missions that we should only strengthen our support and involvement…
Spend some time along the Missions Wall and read about each of our partners. Spend time praying for them, and pick up a notecard and write them a word of encouragement…
● Stewardship
Involves everything from time, talent, and tithes… The Scripture is clear –
1 Corinthians 4:2
In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.
A steward is one who manages that which belongs to another. Stewardship includes the management of money, possessions, time, talents, spiritual gifts, and even our own bodies which belong to God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
The body here, is not merely the physical body you live in, it refers to the local body of believers – the church!
Are we being good stewards of our church?
Last, but certainly not least, in this list of … charges – is –
● Fellowship
From the beginning, the church has prioritized fellowship!
Acts 2:42
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Fellowship cannot be forced. It happens naturally as people in a church come together as partners to accomplish the work of the church. The word "fellowship" means partners in a common cause.
In the coming new year, there will be plenty of opportunities to participate in these charges the Lord has given His church!
What priority will His church have in your life?
Questions to Consider in Community Group:
- What does the word "church" mean, and what should we understand about it?
- What is the difference between the "universal" church and a "local" church? What can you say to a Christian who claims they don't need to be a part of a local church?
- There were a lot of points to this message. Which ones do you find most compelling? Which challenges you the most and why?
- What are your thoughts about any of the quotes shared in the message?
John MacArthur – "The basic task of the church is to teach sound doctrine. It is not to give one pastor's opinion, to recite tear-jerking illustrations that play on emotions, to raise funds, to present programs and entertainment, or to give weekly devotionals. In Titus 2:1 Paul writes, 'But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.'"
Donald S. Whitney – "Many Christians feel defeated in their prayer lives. To pray even five-to-seven minutes seems like and eternity, and their minds wander much of that time. 'I guess it's me,' many conclude. 'I'm just a second-rate Christian.' No, if you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and generally seeking to live in obedience to God's Word, then the problem likely isn't you, but your method… Let the words of Scripture be the words of your prayers… By praying through a passage of Scripture, you'll find yourself praying about most of 'the same old things,' but in brand new ways. You'll likely be able to turn to any part of the Bible and pray through it."
William Temple – "The Church is the only cooperative society in the world that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members."
Mark Dever – "Discipling is deliberately doing spiritual good to someone so that he or she will be more like Christ. Discipleship is the term I use to describe our own following Christ. Discipling is the subset of that, which is helping someone else follow Christ."
