Role Week 2

The Mission of the Church

God is Looking on the Earth for People Fully Committed to Him

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a (NIV 1984)

God is searching, looking for those fully committed to Him. The church is our great opportunity to live fully committed to Him. When our hearts are fully committed to Him, He strengthens us. Through His loving and obedient relationship with our Heavenly Father, Jesus invested His life in people. We are called to do the same.

Look at the Fields

36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:36-38 (NIV 1984)

35“Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” John 4:35 (NIV 1984)

18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (NIV 1984)

God’s Church and God’s Mission

Kingdom success requires you and me to embrace God’s mission and fulfill His commission in each one of us.

Illustration: I have tried to imagine this group of late teen, early 20s men on a U.S. ship as they approach the shores of Vietnam. I cannot imagine the numb feeling rushing through their bodies as they approached the shore knowing that within the trees were the front lines of battle. As soon as their feet hit the ground they would face unshielded fire. What force kept them moving forward? What force kept them from jumping ship and trying to swim away? It was this. They were embracing a cause greater than themselves. They were fighting and soon dying for America.

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs records men and women, young and old, who were burned at the stake, fed to lions, ran through with swords, tortured and beaten for their faith in Jesus Christ. It is reported that this century holds the largest number of Christian martyrs in the history of creation. What is it that makes men and women stand for this Gospel? What is it that causes people to say, “Even to the death”? It is this: They were embracing a cause greater than themselves.

When you embrace a cause greater than yourself…your self is no longer too great to engage in the cause. The greatest example of one who denied “Himself” is Jesus Christ.

  • He left the glory and splendor of Heaven to become a human.
  • He became a poor baby with poor parents.

Ultimately I Peter 2:24:

24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV 1984)

What does God require of those who sincerely desire to be a Kingdom Great?

21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:21-24 (NIV 1984)

There are three keys to becoming a Kingdom Great:

  1. Do not be a stumbling block (v. 23)
  2. Have in mind the things of God (v. 23)
  3. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him (v. 24) How do we attain these three keys? By embracing the cause greater than our self!

6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6 (NIV 1984)

22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV 1984)

9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:9-17 (NIV 1984)

The church is a cause that is so great, that Jesus gave His life for her. Your salvation, and the salvation of every human is a cause so great, that God Himself embraced the cause to be greater than Himself.

Who is the Church?

Ekklēsía: This is the word from original Scripture that is translated as Church. This word ekklēsía can be used singular or plural. Like DEER, or FISH we have ekklēsía meaning church or many churches.

  • The Church is universal (all believers)
  • The Church is local
  • The Church is personal (the temple of the Holy Spirit)

The term ekklēsía denotes the NT community of the redeemed in its twofold aspect. First, all who were called by and to Christ in the fellowship of His salvation, the church worldwide of all times, and only secondarily to an individual church. (CWSB Dictionary)

Who Founded and Who Owns the Church?

18“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18 (NIV 1984)

Who Rules and Governs the Church?

The government of the church is called a theocracy: divinely guided.

6For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7 (AMP)

22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:22-23 (NIV 1984)

Church: The church is a community on earth in-dwelt by the Spirit of God evangelizing the world, preaching the word, unique in origin, fellowship, allegiance, message, and mission.

The Nature of the Church

The Body of Christ

22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:22-23 (NIV 1984)

18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:18 (NIV 1984)

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV 1984)

  • Unity in the body: unity is not uniformity
  • Diversity in the body
  • Harmonious work in the body

Illustration: God performs transplant surgery to move us at times (a physical transplant requires the use of anti-rejection medicine). But when a member disconnects without God doing it, the body bleeds, and they often don’t have a body to reconnect to. And if they do, they attach themselves to a body that isn’t ready or prepared for them. So they end up with 11 fingers or 2 noses….

There is room for every one of our SHAPES in the Body of Christ, yet God knits us together with strong relationships.

The Temple Where God Dwells

The place where God dwelt in the Old Testament. We are now this temple! Internal, within our being is the dwelling place of God!

16Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV 1984)

19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV 1984)

The Household of Faith

10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 (NIV 1984)

We have a relationship to God and one another. Brothers and sisters, the family of God!

The Bride of Christ

Israel to God. The Church to Christ.
Matthew 9:15 :: Matthew 25:1-12 :: Luke 5:34-39 :: John 3:29

The Book of Hosea represents the love of God extended to the wayward wife.

The Bulwark of Truth

14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV 1984)

The New Israel of God (The Old One Failed)

43“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” Matthew 21:43 (NIV 1984)

29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29 (NIV 1984)

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV 1984)

The Only Church Membership That Really Matters

47And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47 (NIV 1984)

Faith in Christ makes you a member! Those who are set apart by circumcision of the heart and have the blood of the Passover applied are members!
Disciples in the New Testament were those who were called out from among others. They were the nucleus of the church.
The visible church is the church the world sees.
The invisible church is the Body of Christ.
All in the church cannot be proven to be Christians. Therefore, we cannot say the visible church is the church.

The Purpose of the Church (The Body of Christ)

2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. 4The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. Acts 13:2-4 (NIV 1984)

Personally, this purpose includes the totality of each person. Presenting your SHAPE as ministry to the Lord, to the church, and to the world.

Ministry to the Lord

  • Worship
  • Singing
  • Fasting
  • Psalms
  • Ordinances (communion, baptisms)
  • Tongues
  • Praying
  • Moving of the Holy Spirit and listening to the Holy Spirit
  • Obeying God

Ministry to the Lord is greater than each of us. Being here for worship together is a privilege. It is an honor. Many of kingdom greats have given their lives in generations past for this privilege. Daniel was so intent on this that he went to the lion’s den for praying.

Ministry to the Church

  • Allowing God to work in apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers
  • To disciple and train believers
  • Corporate prayer
  • Comfort, encouragement, building up, and support from other believers
  • Social needs of believers
  • Striving for holiness together
  • Spiritual counsel
  • Leadership training

The Apostle Paul charged Timothy with this: 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV 1984)

Ministry to the World

  • Laying on of hands
  • Sending out ministers
  • Preaching
  • Evangelism
  • Expressing unconditional love to one another
  • Crisis counseling
  • Shut-ins
  • Street ministry
  • Vocation ministry

Missionary J. Tucker, a great martyr missionary, when asked about his call to missions abroad was told, “you may not come back.” He responded, “God never said anything about coming back. He only said, ‘Go.’”

We have an annual missions convention to ask people to pray and commit to how much they will give on a monthly basis so we can commit to giving to the missionaries.

A life with unrealized purpose and mission for the kingdom of God will never realize the joy and peace life everlasting can bring here and now.

Published: November 11, 2024