July 5, 2009
The Church
Matthew 16:18 “. . . upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The Church – What is it and what is its purpose? Why do we build these buildings and meet together? What is our function in this world and in the lives of people?
The church is, first and foremost, a place to meet with God.
Man was made for fellowship with God. In the Garden of Eden, God would come down to the garden and meet with Adam and Eve.
Then early on we see Cain and Abel bringing offerings to the Lord in worship.
We worship God because He is the creator and the giver of all things.
After the Flood, Noah built and altar and offered sacrifices to God. (Genesis 8:20)
When God appeared to Abraham, Abe built and altar and worshipped him. (Genesis 12:7) In fact, everywhere Abraham went he built an altar to the Lord.
God commanded Jacob, and later Moses, to build and altar.
God instructed Moses to build a tabernacle, and here is where we see clearly the purpose of the church building –
Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
Quoting a passage from Isaiah, Jesus said,
“… It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer…” (Matthew 21:13)
The church is, first and foremost, a place of worship.
As we track through the Bible, we see that the church – the temple – became the center of Jewish life – because God was at the center of their lives.
Note this, the church didn’t go to the people – the people came to the church. Since the time of Jesus we have the mandate to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” We are to take the message OUT to the people.
But we don’t invite them to church – we invite them to Jesus.
When they come to Jesus they will begin to come to church in order to be fed spiritually and fellowship and worship with other believers.
Yes, we need to ‘go into the highways and byways to bring them in’, but if after they come to Jesus we have to beg them, bribe them, and entertain them to get them to attend church there is something drastically wrong with their conversion experience.
Today we have taken church attendance to a new and dangerous level. We try all kinds of gimmicks to get people to come to church. We try to make the church ‘user friendly’. We compete with the world to attract people’s attention. We water down the truth and try to make it less offensive. We think that occupied seats are a sign of a healthy church. No! No! No!
Worshipping believers are the sign of a healthy church.
Maybe I am living in an idealistic dream world, but I long for a church where people come because they love God and want to faithfully worship and serve him – not because it is so much fun and entertaining.
I seriously wonder sometimes if we are really getting people to heaven or if we are just getting them to church.
Okay, enough of my soap box sermon.
What is the church?
The church is not a building. It is people. We are the church. Church means “those who are called”. The church is that group of people who are called:
- out of sin and into righteousness;
- out of darkness into light;
- out of the world and into the Kingdom of God.
Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
The church is people who are separated from sin and set apart for God.
Without going into great detail today let me just say that the church is variously referred to as:
The Flock of God -
Psalms 100:3 . . . we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
God, like a shepherd, cares for us and guides and protects us. Jesus said,”I am the good shepherd…” John 10:14
The Family of God -
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God …
Romans 8:15 … but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Temple or Building of God -
1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood…
1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you…
2 Corinthians 6: 16 . . . for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them . . .
God lives in us. We are God’s representatives in this world just as Jesus was when He was here in bodily form. Just as God was in Christ, He is now in us.
The Body of Christ -
Romans 12:5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
1 Corinthians 12:27. Now ye are the body of Christ…
THE TRULY AMAZING THING IS THAT, NOT ONLY HAS GOD RESCUED US FROM ETERNAL DEATH, BUT HE HAS INTRUSTED TO US THE MESSAGE OF ETERNAL LIFE.
Why Is the Church Important?
1. As we already established, the local church is a place of worship.
2. The church is also a place where we learn and grow in our spiritual walk with God.
Not only should we learn from the Sunday School Bible study and the sermon, but we should encourage, comfort, correct, and assist one another. The older, more experienced should teach the younger.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.
10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
3. Thirdly, the church has been given the mandate to evangelize the World.
We are here as representatives of Christ to spread the gospel (the good news of salvation through Christ). That is our commission and privilege - to win the world for Christ.
Mark 16:15 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations . . .
In conclusion:
Everyone should be a part, an active member, of a local church. We all need the guidance and support it offers.
We need the ministry and friendship in times of need or sorrow. We need the strength of the group in weak moments.
We need the accountability it provides.
Also, we need the opportunity to serve, to help others, to be a vital part of the ministry (service) of the local church.
You see, you need the church and the church needs you.
Coming Events -
Special Music Service
Sunday, July 19 we will have a special joint service with the Albanians at 5 PM. We will have special music from both groups.
If you would like to share in this service please let Pastor know. All are urged to join us for this celebration of praise and worship.
Church Membership
If you are interested in becoming a member of Open Door Church please find an application in the foyer, fill it out, and give it to Pastor or put it in the offering bag.
The large table near the kitchen, in the fellowship hall, has free magazines. Please help yourself, and then pass it on to someone else.
www.icarecoalition.org
This organization raises awareness among parents about the dangers to children on the internet, pornography, sexual predators, sexual slavery, trafficking and the constant flood of sexualized media messages. There are many things on this site that parents should know, including instructions on how to keep your children and grandchildren safe. Pass this website on to your friends and family members, as well.
