INTRO: Next week, we will be going back to the Cardiff Library, and it s caused me to reflect on why we are doing what we re doing as a Church, and what we will do this coming year. So, I want to take a step back and go through the Word of God and answer some questions as we look at the Nature, Mission, and Function of the Church. I. The NATURE of the Church - What Is the Church? : A. The Church is the BODY of Christ. 1. Cf. Ephesians 1:22-23a a. The Church is a Living Organism, not an Organization. b. Jesus is the Head of the Body, so it is vital that we are connected to the Head c. Cf. Romans 12:5 - So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 1) KEY: The Christian Life is not Solitary Biblical Christianity is a Body 1 of 13 B. The Church is by nature the FULLNESS of Jesus Christ 1. Cf. Ephesians 1:23b a. Too often the church is just too full of itself, and not at all the Lord Jesus Christ b. Cf. John 10:10 - Jesus came that we might have ABUNDANT, FULL LIFE 1) KEY: We are not to be surviving or maintaining, but abounding in love, joy, fruit, and good works, and Jesus Christ brings that full life 2) KEY: As the Body of Christ, we need each other Often, a lack of Fullness in one s spiritual walk relates to a lack of relationship to the Body of Christ c. Q = What if part of my body did not want to show up on Sunday? What if my hand started doing its own thing? What if my foot decided to do its own thing? I would be a trippin
1) KEY: Casual, sporadic, detached relationship to the Body of Christ is violating the very nature of the church We need each other a) This is why it is not really church to listen to sermons online or listening to worship music on the radio The Church is a Corporate Entity II.The MISSION of the Church - What is the Church to be Doing? : A. GLORIFY GOD. 1. Cf. 1 Corinthains 10:31 - Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. a. The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. B. BE LIGHT. 1. Cf. Ephesians 5:8-20 a. (v. 8) For ye were sometimes darkness 1) Paul does not say that at one time you were in the dark, but that you were darkness itself a) You were not only in the dark, but the darkness was in you 2) It s not just that man is in a dark world, but the darkness is in him, that is, sin. a) Cf. Ephesians 4:17-19 - having their understanding darkened b) Cf. Romans 1:21 - their foolish heart was darkened c) Cf. John 3:19-21 2 of 13 b. but now are ye light in the Lord: 1) Not that you have been enlightened or in the light, but you are now light itself
a) Cf. Matthew 5:14-16 - In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. c. (v. 11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, 1) I think it s time that we GET RID OF ANYTHING DOUBTFUL in our lives. a) We need to stop compromising and using our liberty as an excuse. 2) Cf. Galatians 5:7-9 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. C. MAKE DISCIPLES of Jesus Christ. 1. Cf. Matthew 28:18-20 a. Based on the Authority of Jesus Christ. (v. 18) 1) This has been called the Great Commission, not the Great Suggestion. a) make disciples - Gr. imperative, thus a command 2) Q = By what Authority do you have to take the Gospel out and try to convert people? The Authority of Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord of all creation 3 of 13
b. We are called to BE DISCIPLES. 1) Before you fulfill the mission of discipleship, you have to be a disciple of Christ. a) Q = What are the Terms of Discipleship? i. Cf. Mark 8:34-37; Luke 9:23-26; 14:25-35 c. We are called to MAKE DISCIPLES. 1) Whatever the Church does, it must involve discipleship a) Our mission is NOT: i. To gather a crowd. ii. To be have cool events. iii.to be the happening thing. iv. To offer every ministry and program that can fill the needs of a demographic. 4 of 13 2) Discipleship involves EVANGELISM and EDIFICATION. a) EVANGELISM: i. Go ; Baptize a. Our mission is to get out one message: Be ye reconciled to God i. Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ii. Cf. 1 Corinthians 2:2 - For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. b. After they receive the message and are reconciled to God, then we baptize them.
b) EDIFICATION: i. Teaching a. Cf. Ephesians 4:11-16 i. My job is to equip YOU to do the work of the ministry It s not my job to do the work of the ministry by myself. That s the saints job ii. Exercising the Gifts of the Spirit. a. Cf. 1 Corinthians 12:7; 14:12 d. We are called to make disciples OF ALL NATIONS. 1) We are here in North County San Diego, and we are to make disciples here. 1 2) Imagine what the Disciples must have felt when they received the Great Commission from Jesus. a) You want us to go to ALL nations? i. I imagine that they were wondering how in the world could they ever do this. All the world? every person? ii. They had no doubt heard stories of Rome, and exotic places like India, but how could they possibly take the gospel to all these people? b) We re not trained theologians, but ordinary men. i. They were fishermen, tax-collectors, and just ordinary people 1 Cf. Acts 17:26 5 of 13
a. Cf. Acts 4:13 - Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. ii. Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. e. Q = How do we fulfill the Great Commission? 1)We are to RELY ON THE LORD a) Illust. - Asa s Successful Strategy. i. Cf. 2 Chronicles 14-16 a. Often times, we will adopt a plan because it works and is a great strategy, but it isn t depending on the Lord, thus we find ourselves in strategies for church growth, and church success. 6 of 13
b. If you strive to gain, you have to strive to maintain. III.The FUNCTION of the Church - How Do We Fulfill our Mission? : A. We are to FOLLOW GOD S MODEL for the Church. 1. We CANNOT Model After Church History. a. The early church at CORINTH had all sorts of problems. 1) Divisions. 2) Carnality. 3) They were allowing grossly immoral people to fellowship with them without seeking to correct their sin. 4) Abusing the Lord s Supper. 5) Abused the gifts of the Spirit. 6) Questioned the doctrine of the resurrection. b. The early churches in GALATIA had problems. 1) They were turning from the truth. 2) They were legalistic. 3) Paul had to warn them, Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Gal. 3:3) 7 of 13 c. The early churches in ASIA MINOR had problems. 1) In about 96 AD, when John wrote Revelation, there were already many problems in the church after being only about 50 years old. Jesus, in addressing the churches, constantly told them to repent (Revelation 2-3) a) Ephesus loveless church. b) Pergamos doctrine of Balaam and Nicolaitans.
c) Thyatira liberalism d) Sardis dead church e) Laodicea lukewarm d. The HISTORIC CHURCH had problems. 1) There was abuse of power. 2) Traditions of men began to make the Word of God of none effect. 3) They sought to keep the people in darkness and superstition so that the people would serve them. 4) They would persecute the faithful remnant of believers. 5) There had to be a Reformation. e. Many MODERN CHURCHES have problems. 1) Denominationalism; church splits. 2) Modeled after business corporations rather than the Word of God. 3) Demographic research replaces prayer. f. The CYCLE of Church History. 1) Revival Monument Memorial Revival a) This pattern is not exclusive with the Church, this was the pattern of the Nation of Israel. i. 7x in the book of Judges, it says, And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. 2 ii. Captivity Revival Captivity Revival. b) Often times, God would have to go outside the established church to start a new work. (i.e. New Wine in New Wineskins ) 2 Judges 2:11; 3:7, 12; 4:1; 6:1; 10:6; 13:1 8 of 13
i. After God starts a new work, the movement ends up going toward Liberalism and Modernism. ii. Look at the Major Denominations today a. Lutheran came from the Reformation of Martin Luther. b. Methodist came from the Great Awakening of John Wesley. c. Presbyterian came from John Knox 2. We Must Model the Early Church IN THE BOOK OF ACTS: a. Empowered by the Holy Spirit. 1) Acts 1:5, 8 2) Acts 2:1-4, 14, 17-18, 22-24 3) Acts 4:8, 31-33 4) Acts 5:32 5) Acts 6:3, 5, 10 6) Acts 7:55 7) Acts 8:15-17 8) Acts 11:21-24 9) Acts 13:52 10)Acts 19:1-7 b. Governed, Directed, and Led by the Holy Spirit. 1) Acts 8:26, 29, 39 2) Acts 10:19-20, 44, 46 3) Acts 13:2-4 4) Acts 15:28 5) Acts 16:6-10 9 of 13
c. Close to the Lord realizing that Jesus is the Head of the Church. 1) Acts 9:10-17, 31 2) Acts 18:9-10 3) Acts 22:17-21 4) Acts 23:11 5) Acts 27:21-25 B. They involved themselves with 4 BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR CHURCH LIFE. 1. Cf. Acts 2:42 a. Apostle s Doctrine. b. Fellowship. c. Breaking of Bread. d. Prayers. C. They gathered together ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. 1. Cf. Acts 20:6-7 a. the first day of the week = Sunday 1) The church in Troas gathered on Sundays. 2) NOTE: Their Sunday gathering included Communion ( break bread ) and Preaching. (v. 7) 10 of 13 2. Cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 - Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. a. NOTE: Paul gave orders to the churches in Galatia and Corinth to take their collections when they had their gatherings on Sunday b. Q = Why did they gather on Sundays?
1) Sunday was the day Jesus rose from the dead. (Matt 28:1; John 20:1) 2) Sunday was the day Jesus appeared to His disciples the following week after His resurrection (John 20:26). 3) Sunday was the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost. (Lev 23:15-16; Acts 2:1-4) 4) Sunday was the day that Jesus was publicly announced as the Messiah to the Nation of Israel. (Daniel 9:25; Luke 19:28-44) 5) The writings of early church fathers affirmed that believers were meeting on Sundays as the Lord s Day Barnabas, Justin Martyr, Didache, Ignatius, Dionysius, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Cyril of Jerusalem, Origin, etc. a) There are those that say that the Church started worshiping on Sunday because of Constantine in the 4th century, however, that s just not historically accurate. 3. Cf. 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 a. One of the things that happens with the Church comes together is that when Unbelievers come in, they will sense the presence of God among us and get saved 1) NOTE: This is why, as a small church, I think it s important that we set the tone and are here on time, or even early, to minister to others. a) So many times, TJ and I will start worship, and first time visitors will show up and be the only ones here. Then others show up about 3rd song. b) Q = What message does that send to those who come here? i. Church is no big deal. ii. I m not serious about the Lord. 11 of 13
iii. You don t need me. My part in the body doesn t matter. iv. Worship is just the warmup to the message. 4. Cf. Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. a. as the manner of some is - There are those that forsake the assembling with their local church. 1) NOTE: If you don t gather regularly with your local church, then you re not part of a church. 2) We are so privileged in this country to be able to gather with other Christians, and we sometimes take it for granted. a) There are other Christians in the world that cannot gather publicly because they will be arrested or persecuted. b. One of the problems creeping into the Church in America today is the lazy attitude towards the Sunday gatherings. 1) You ll hear things like: a) It doesn t matter what day I worship. b) I worship the Lord every day. c) We are the church and can worship at home. c. KEY: Our corporate gathering as believers is also a public statement to the community that we are publicly obedient to the command to love God. 1) NOTE: It is also as we gather corporately that we celebrate the Lord s Supper 12 of 13
5. KEY: I believe that the Sunday morning gathering is the most important gathering for the saints It is a time dedicated to the Lord together as the Body of Christ. IV.Our VISION for Calvary Chapel: A. Simplicity. 1. Advantages to being small: a. Simple; flexibility; mobile. b. Not institutionalized. c. More intimate. 2. We don t have a lot of Extras to offer, but we want to do the few things we do well B. Truth. 1. Be Expectant to hear from the Lord. a. Cf. Acts 17:11 - Those in Berea were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. b. Cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 2. Read THRU THE BIBLE. a. Read ahead for the following week in our study Thru the Bible. C. The Power of the Holy Spirit. 1. Cf. John 7:37-39; Zechariah 4:6-10 13 of 13