What is the purpose of the church? The purpose of FBC Screven reads: "To go and teach that God is great and Jesus is Lord." Sounds pretty simple. In fact it is simple. We must decide who the church is. WE ARE THE CHURCH! Those who are washed in the blood and redeemed by THE LAMB. The problem in carrying out the purpose of FBC is that we have members who are not a part of God's church. When one identifies with an organization and then does not represent that organization in a good manner, then the organization has mud slung all over it. The church gets a "name for itself " according to how it's members represent it. As one preacher stated, "most people don't go to church because they have been before." Or because they know someone who goes to a specific church. They old excuse that most lost people use it that of the hypocrites in the church. What do we do? How do we solve this problem? I believe the answer to that question begins with me. That's right.... me AND you! Lost people will have no excuse when we start with ourselves. We need to examine ourselves from the top of our heads to the bottom of our feet and see if we are living our lives completely for Him. Christians are a walking billboard of the character of God. What does your billboard read on Monday? Does it read the same as it does on Sunday and Wednesday? When we raise the bar in our personal walk with God, it will make a difference in our church. I will close with one of my favorite songs. Examine yourself and lets represent our Lord and Master as we go to this lost world and teach them that we are the church. It's not a building.
"SANCTUARY"
Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
pure and holy, tried and true!
With thanksgiving i'll be a living
sanctuary for YOU!
10 comments:
hey John I'm here.be back later.
Hey David, good to hear from you.
OK, don’t want to be a bloghog, but I’ll start. So what is the purpose of the church? I’ve heard it said that the church is a hospital for the sinner, rather than a sanctuary for saints. What do you guys think? What is the PRIMARY purpose of the church? Is it a soul-winning station, or a soul-building station? Is it to get people saved or taught? Is it to preach the gospel or the Word? Is it to evangelize or indoctrinate? Is the church where the we bring the lost to the gospel, or the gospel to the lost? Is it where people might be saved or where the saved become more Christ-like? Should people come to church for salvation, or is it where saved people come to learn how to live? Does the Great Commission command the saved to bring the lost to church? The ascended Jesus Christ gave certain men to His church, including pastors and teachers. What for? Anybody ever wondered why we shouldn’t forsake the assembling of ourselves? And, does the assembling of ourselves make us the church? Alright that’s plenty to chew on. Wonder if I’ll get a bite?
Sorry I did not blog last week, I was in the bed sick.
As for this weeks lesson- the purpose of the church.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20
Wow! I love having church with Grace and Garrison. If one of us are sick and cant make it to church (FBC), then we have church at home. I think it’s important that our children know that the church is not a building but a body of believers.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
The Bible tells us not to give up meeting together (going to church) all the more as the Day approaches. We are told to encourage and love. The encouragement that springs from fellowship with believers also gives us the strength to witness.
The Bible gives us instructions for the church in 1Timothy 2, and in fact, the whole book of 1 Timothy is a book of instructions for the church. (There are other scriptures all threw the Bible on the church) 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 tell us that we all have our part and we work together as one. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 tell us do not be unequally yoke together with unbelievers. We should be an influence on them, not them (the world) on us. As our lesson said believers must remain separate from relationships with unbelievers except for establishing friendships that will allow them to share the gospel.
In all are we living like Jesus lived and taught us to live so that we (the body of Christ) have something the world needs and wants? 1 Peter2:9-10 I like how the author put it, “…truths of Scripture, which teachers that God’s goal in salvation is to bring honor, glory, and praise to God and Christ. In light of all that God has done for me, I should devote my life to praising and pleasing Him in all that I do. (Ok so the author used us and we, but I made it personal).
Thanks Billy for these lessons that we teach. I love that they are personal and push us (teachers and youth) to step up and grow as believers in Christ, thanks to everyone else (fellow teacher) for your encouragement, love and support each week as we grow in Christ.
Love in Christ
Heather
Crystal Gill said ...... Sorry it took me so long to respond -- I have had a crazy week --but it's almost Friday and Sunday evening is a coming.
I think the purpose of the church is a soul winng station and a sanctuary for the saints. But I do think we need to examine ourselves as Christians individually often --because I know many people who will not go to church because of how some Christian have treated them in church or in other situations.
I will miss you guys Sunday Arch Fest --please spread the word for the youth group to come and support Kelby Dover --he will be performing at the festival from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Thanks --cg
Good comment Heather on having church at home with your kids. That got me thinking. I know we will be talking about church attendance in 3 weeks, but do we as individuals think it to be that important that when we are unable to "go to church" that we have our own service? Or do we go to church out of obligation and duty. I don't know about you guys but I fail miserably so many times in doing just that. I need to praise Him more as we worship together. John, to answer your questions i'll answer as the youth group does. My answer is yes. Keep up the good work guys.
There are times when our opinions are valid and then there are times when they don't matter, because of what the Bible says. Church is for saved people. It "IS" the Bride of Christ. One reason we have so many problems inside the brick & mortar building is we allow false converts to join and vote. We as individuals have shirked our duty of evangelism off on the pastor by simply "Inviting people to church" and calling that witnessing.
The PRIMARY purpose of the church is: The assembling of the saints (Christians) in order to be equipped for the work of the ministry. The purpose is to train His people through His Word, called pastors and His gifted teachers. When the believers are well fed and well trained, God is glorified. This makes a healthy body. The church is primarily for the saints rather than the sinners. Now don’t get me wrong, we certainly thank the Almighty God for any sinner in attendance that would hear the Gospel and accept Christ as Lord and Savior, but the church is primarily an edification center, not an evangelistic center. What do you guys think?
btw Paul, you hit the naul on the head with the coment about opinions.
Joyce Howell says....
It is obvious from the most casual observation that the great majority of professed Christians and church members have only the foggiest notion of what the purpose of a New Testament Church is, and many have totally erroneous views of its purpose. Yet the Lord has not left His people and His churches in the world for no reason. But how many church members act as if their lives were their own, and they had no responsibility to anyone but self.
Do we have the right concept of the purposes of a New Testament church? Clearly many church members do not understand what their reason for existence as Christians and as a church is, else they would live and act differently than they do. Yet the Scriptures present no uncertain testimony in this matter, but clearly define the purposes for the churches’ existence, and we become guilty before God if we do not fulfill these purposes. Many people, if we may judge by their actions, seem to think that the church is some sort of a social club, or else that it is the instrument of political propaganda, or the instrument for the correcting of social and economic evils. Some may even attempt to use the church for business opportunities and contacts. But none of these are the primary purpose for the existence of the Lord’s churches, though all of these things may be affected in a greater or lesser degree by the faithful ministry of a church. So, “What is the purpose of the church?”
Acts 2:42 could be considered a purpose statement for the church, “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” So, according to this Scripture, the purposes / activities of the church should be: (1) teaching Biblical doctrine, (2) providing a place of fellowship for believers, (3) observing the Lord’s Supper, and (4) praying.
The church is to teach Biblical doctrine so we can be grounded in our faith. Ephesians 4:14 tells us, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” The church is to be a place of fellowship, where Christians can be devoted to one another and honor one another (Romans 12:10), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and most importantly love one another (1 John 3:11).
The church is to be a place where believers can observe the Lord’s supper, remembering Christ’s death and shed blood on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The concept of “breaking bread” (Acts 2:42) also carries the idea of having meals together. This is another example of the church promoting fellowship. The final purpose of the church according to Acts 2:42 is prayer. The church is to be a place that promotes prayer, teaches prayer, and practices prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Another “commission” given to the church is proclaiming the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The church is called to be faithful in sharing the Gospel through word and deed. The church is to be a “lighthouse” in the community – pointing people towards our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The church is to both promote the Gospel and prepare its members to proclaim the Gospel (1 Peter 3:15).
Some final purposes of the church are given in James 1:27, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” The church is to be about the business of ministering to those who are in need. This includes not only sharing the Gospel, but also providing for physical needs (food, clothing, shelter) as necessary and appropriate. The church is also to equip believers in Christ with the tools they need to overcome sin and remain free from the pollution of the world. This is done by the principles given above – Biblical teaching and Christian fellowship.
So, with all that said, what is the purpose of the church? I like the illustration in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. The church is God’s “body” – we are His hands, mouth, and feet in this world. We are to be doing the things that Jesus Christ would do if He were here physically on the earth. The church is to be “Christian” – “Christ-like” and Christ-following.
I really enjoy reading the ideas and opinions you guys are posting. Keep up the good job!!!!
Joyce,
I agree with your comment, but the one that really causes my blood pressure to rise is this one:
"Clearly many church members do not understand what their reason for existence as Christians and as a church is, else they would live and act differently than they do."
I think these members are not saved and we can not leave them that way. They think they are saved, because they come to Church. They come to Church because that is what you do in the South. When I got saved, I realized the general call on my life was to fellowship and love these people that also loved Christ. It was through that fellowship that I was mentored and I studied to find the specific call that is in the rest of your comment. So us that are carrying out the Acts 2:42 are we Super Christians? Is that in Romans? 1John?
I admit I was a babe in Christ when I got saved. My Milk was, at the minimum, showing up 3 times a week and getting involved. My Acts 2:42 grew right into Ephesians 4:14. But man, if all these people can do is barely make a Sunday morning as long as it's during school and we are not at the coast, then the Lord is not finishing the work He started in your life. And if He is not doing that then.....
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