For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:17
Getting 'in church' or 'joining' a church should be viewed as becoming apart of the body of Christ that is working in unity and harmony with other members of the body of Christ for the sole purpose of reaching out to others who are lost, not becoming isolated within. After all, someone reached out to us; we heard the word of God that resulted in the change in our life. This is done by going out, sharing Jesus and bringing others in to the fold. Tear down the wall and be like Jesus in helping others to be saved. The church [body of Christ] has several important functions which include worship, fellowship, and ministry to human need. But the primary purpose for its existence is spreading of the Gospel. Simply stated, the main purpose of the Church is to fulfill the Great Commission:
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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20
Satan attacked the mission of the
early assembly in many ways. He tried to prevent the spread of the Gospel through
persecution, doctrinal error, and sin. These are still his tactics today. But
there was another threat to the purpose of the Church. The preoccupation of its
leaders with good and important works almost changed the central focus Christ
intended. No doubt, there were
many necessary good works to be done. The leaders, Jesus' disciples, were pressed to do them thus neglecting God's Word and prayer. However, recognizing this need men were appointed to help handle the needs so that the apostles could continue with the commission given them by Jesus.
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Acts 6:3-4
While there is no denying that human need was and continues to be very great. Jesus said
the needy would be with us always.
The Church can seek to meet human need and it should be a vital, caring community as it was in New Testament times, but the purpose of the Church does not rest in meeting physical, social, or material needs. Its priority is spreading the Gospel. The Church should minister to other needs, but should combine such efforts with a powerful presentation of the Gospel message.
A good example is found in Romans 9 and 10. Apostle Paul was aware of the economic needs of the Jewish nation. He also was aware of the political tyranny of Rome over the people, yet it is clear that his major concern for the people was spiritual. His concern for Israel was that they should be saved.
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1
The mission of the Church is to
make the Gospel known so God can be faithfully served by all men.
God's method is one of sending. Out
of love for us, the Father sent His own Son:
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. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17
Jesus has commissioned us to go
forth with the Gospel. Every local Church should become a sending church, going
forth in love to a dying world.
Just as God had a reason for freeing the children of Israel from bondage, God did not raise up the Church as
special objects of His favor. It is apparent that He 'favors' us all because His son was sent to die for us all!
The Church
is called to purpose, not privilege.
We are ministers of
reconciliation.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2 Corinthians 5:19
We are to follow the pattern set by God the father and exemplified by God the son, Jesus. We are to go
forth with the Gospel.
Every church is surrounded by
multitudes without God and without hope. This is our first and greatest
challenge, as Apostle Paul tells the Church at Philippi:
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:12-16
Similar words were spoken to the churches at Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica,
and Colossee. The same message rings forth today.
In Ephesians, Apostle Paul summarizes the
purpose of the Church:
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ; To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God. According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 3:9-11
Jesus left His followers with a
great task. They were to reach the entire world with the Gospel message. But He
did not give them the responsibility without giving them the power and authority to do so. He
promised them special power to accomplish the task.
Jesus said His followers would
receive this power through the coming 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
Eleven men were given a seemingly
impossible task. They didn't form a committee to decide who would go where.
They didn't take up an offering to see how far they could book passage. They didn't vote and follow the decision of the majority. These men went to an
upper room and with one accord devoted themselves to prayer. Here, the Church; the body of Christ, was birthed in a great demonstration of power.
Acts 2 records the descension of the
Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit is directed power from above given for a
specific purpose. The purpose was to reach the nations with the Gospel. Acts 2 also records the beginning of the body of Christ. When the
Holy Spirit was given in this new revelation of power, Peter preached a sermon
which resulted in 3,000 responding to the Gospel. These people formed the first
Church. The record of their multiplication and mission is presented in the
remainder of the book of Acts.
To accomplish the mission of the
Church, God established basic principles of organization. Members of the Church
are related to one another as spiritual siblings. They are called
"The Body of Christ,” of which Jesus is the head. The Church is to work
together in unity just like the human body. They are to function under direction
of the Headship of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
God sets special leaders in the church including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
God
also gives each Spirit-filled believer a spiritual gift [or gifts] to be used in harmony with the work of the ministry:
Remember, getting 'in church' or 'joining' a church should be viewed as coming into the body of Christ - working in unity and harmony with other members of the body of Christ for the sole purpose of reaching out to others who are lost, not becoming isolated within.
Keep the social programs that meet the needs of those less fortunate but don't ever forget our primary purpose! Tear down the wall and be like Jesus in helping others to be saved. This is done by going out and bringing others in.
(Biblical
Studies)
10/08/13
12/11/14
11/11/15
12/17/16
02/26/19
12/15/20
10/12/22
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