Consider This...
Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind
___________________________________________________
Volume I September 2011 Issue 34
Summer is all but over and, as we head into the fall season, one of the events I anticipate most is the fall Bible conference. This year, our theme is, “Standing Strong: A Triumphant Church in a Troubled World.” Therefore, in conjunction with the conference, we have purposely chosen the topic for this month to focus on the church. In this first article, we will look at the purpose of the Church. So keep reading and Consider This…
There has been much change over the last 100 years regarding how the modern-day church sees itself. Whether it be a corporate environment, CEO leadership style, or program driven schedule, everyone is looking for something new. The problem is that, too often, in our quest for fresh and new, we lose sight of the intended purpose. For many churches today, the result is entertainment focused, professionally staffed, success orientated ministries.
This is not God’s plan for the church. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.” Notice the Lord's one condition to that great promise: I will build… my church. Christ's guarantee is valid only when He builds the church His way. When you follow His blueprint, you can be sure that He is doing the work through you and that nothing, not even the gates of hell, can stop Him.
So what determines if a church is God’s Church built God’s way? Well, the best place to start is with the first church–the church at Jerusalem, beginning on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit filled 120 believers who had gathered for a prayer meeting and then added 3,000 souls later that same day (Acts 2:41). Notice that:
They didn't know anything about building a church.
They had no precedent.
They didn't have a book on the church.
They didn’t even have the New Testament.
Yet it was built Jesus' way and, as such, it's the model for the church today.
What did the early church look like? Acts 2:40-47 gives us a helpful hint.
“40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation.’ 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
2. It was a place for Teaching & Training—Producing mature, stable, holy Christians: (vs. 42a)
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching.
3. It was a place for Fellowship: (vs. 42 & 46)
1. Communion
2. Prayer
3. Hospitality
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.
4. It was a place for Service: (vs. 44-45)
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
5. It was a place for Worship: (vs. 46)
46 And day by day, attending the temple together.
6. It was a place for Evangelistic Motivation: (vs. 46-47)
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts. 47 Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
It is no secret that the church today is facing challenges on a scale that equals that of any other time in history. But, in all of this, the promise of Christ, that he would build His church despite the forces against it, has remained unchanged. In fact, through the New Testament, God provides believers with reassurance that He will not forsake them when they face difficulties and that, by the instruction of His Word, they will know how to cope with the problems that arise.
Therefore, over the next few weeks, we will be looking at God’s Church done God’s Way, addressing the issues within the context of His blueprint.
