"When the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder–, when the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there."
We like to think about our future home called heaven. But what about the earthly institution called "The Church?" If the roll were called down yonder on a given Sunday would you be there?
Last week we concluded a series on relationships by looking at relationships within the church. We used the acrostic C.H.U.R.C.H. to describe what relationships within the body of Christ should be like:
>Christlike–we should relate to one another in the same way that Jesus relates to us. If we could just learn to do that, then many of our problems would be solved.
>House to House–we should share more than “Sunday only” relationships; we should reach out to one another through out the week.
>United–as the body of Christ we are to be joined together by love; we are to be one.
>Redemptive–when the world sees how we relate towards each other within the church, they should be drawn to Jesus.
>Compassionate–in the same way we cannot ignore pain in our physical body, we cannot ignore a brother or sister in need. We share their pain. Then love moves us to action.
>Helpful–God has freely given to us, therefore we can freely share with those in need. More of God’s grace can flow through an open hand willing to share than a clenched fist holding on to all that God has given.
These characteristics should set our relationships within the church apart from those in the world. We need to know how to relate to one another–within the church; within our families; with our friends and acquaintances. But equally important, we need to know what the church is all about; why do we have church anyway?
What do you believe about the Church of Jesus Christ? What is its purpose, vision and mission? Over the next several weeks we are going to explore the church–the body of Christ–of which we are all apart. (Well at this point anyway we are going to assume that we are all apart of the church. The reality is that you may be a regular attender or even a member of Praise A/G, but that does not guarantee that you are a part of the church.)
Ephesians 3:8-11 . . .10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What is Paul saying to us today? God has a plan for the church–a plan for our church. The church is not some divine accident. God has a purpose for each of us within the church. His plan had been kept hidden known only to God, but now His eternal purposes have been completed through Jesus Christ our Lord, and God’s intention is that through the church His great wisdom will be made known. God’s purpose is made known as the gospel is preached to all men; His purpose is even declared in the heavens through us–His Church.
What is the church? The word church, also translated assembly, comes from the Greek word “ ekklhsia ” which literally means “a calling out;” it is a meeting of people who have been “called out” or “summoned togther.” In the New Testament “ ekklhsia ” refers to the congregation of God’s people who have been called out or separated from the world into His kingdom.
When we think of the church in terms of individuals being called out from the world, the question we should ask is not “What church do you attend?” but “Have you answered God’s call to be a part of His Church?”
Someone has defined it as, "The Church is the
Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit is an integral part." (Richard Dresselhaus –– San Diego First Assembly of God)
By this definition the question for us today is not “Do you go to Church,” but “Are you that integral part of the Church?”
The church is not made up of bricks and mortar, but people. When we talk about the Church, we are not talking about buildings; we are talking about you and me–it is people who make up the church. Are you a part of God’s Church in which He lives by His Spirit?
We need a better understanding what God’s purpose and plan is for the church. What we believe about the church is irrelevant if our belief is not based in scripture. What we need today is belief and practice of the Church that grows out of God’s heart and not out of the world. Remember what Paul said in Ephesians 3–God’s great wisdom cannot be made known through the church in man’s way; God’s plan can only be accomplished God’s way.
So what do you believe about the church?
1. Should the Church be a Worshiping Church?
Psalm 86:8-10 8Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. 9All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. 10For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
Think about the wonderful deeds of God. He is the Creator; the Author of Life; the Healer, the Savior, the Baptizer, the Prince of Peace, the Provider, the Ever-Present Help, He is the All in All. God alone is worthy to be worshiped; He alone is worthy of praise!
Our purpose as a church is summed up in the statement, “Sharing the Joy.” The “J” in joy stands for Jesus. This not only serves to remind us that our joy comes from Him, but that our ministry in the church should begin as we offer up a sacrifice of praise to the Lord.
"The Church has been given birth in order to provide a way whereby God might be worshiped. His worth. His majesty. His Lordship. He must be worshiped."
Our coming together for worship is not some nice thing to be doing on Sunday mornings, nor should it be a religious duty. Rather we are given the opportunity to minister unto the Lord in worship. Jesus said in John 4:23, “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” As God quickens our hearts by His Spirt we have the opportunity to satisfy His desire as we worship Him.
Do you believe we should be a worshiping church? What do you believe about the Church?
2. Should the Church be an Evangelizing Church?
It has been said, "The Church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners." God expects the church to grow as people find forgiveness for their sins through Jesus.
Acts 2:47b And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
When we think about our purpose, “Sharing the Joy,” the “O” in joy stands for others–those outside the church. The center of our purpose is to reach others for Christ. Every man, woman, and child should know about God’s great love for them.
Do you believe the Church should be reaching the world for Christ? Should we be “others” centered? If you said yes, then what are the boundaries of your heart? How far will your love stretch? How big is your vision?
With statements like:
"For God so loved the world,”
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel,"
“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,”
“To all who received Him,”
How can we not give to support our missionaries? How can we not be willing to pray for the lost? How can we sit around and not go tell someone about the love of Christ?
Colossians 1:28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
Is that your goal for your family? Do you want to present your friends to Christ? Should we be an evangelizing church? What do you believe about the church?
3. Should the Church be a People Oriented Church.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The early church was committed to each other in many ways. “ koinonia ” the Greek word translated “fellowship” is to literally be in partnership with another. Fellowship was more than a time to greet one another on a Sunday morning–they were connected to each other. Because believers were connected to each other, they not only shared together in relationship, but they also studied God’s Word together, they worshiped together, and they cared for one another.
The “Y” in “Sharing the Joy” stands for You–the body of Christ. As a church we should have a “body ministry” that ministers to one another and the needs within the church. The Church, the body of Christ, is to be people oriented, because it is made up of people.
Ephesians 2:19-22 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household . . . 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
The American culture chooses to be anonymous. Anonymity has even affected our lives within the church. We would like to come in unnoticed, do worship and then leave. But the Bible says we are no longer strangers, but fellow citizens–members of God’s family. We are being built together by God’s Spirit–the Lord tears down walls that would divide and builds bridges in their place. We are to be connected to each other.
Do you believe people must come together in the Church? Should we be a people oriented? What do you believe about the Church?
4. Is the Church Valuable?
Today many fail to see the value of the Church. Americans are “consumer minded.” We look for value in everything, yet we devalue the Church and it’s place in our lives. The Church is cheapened so that we can easily leave one church and go to another, or worse yet stop attending all together.
Because we fail to understand the value of the church, our commitment to the church falters. Who wants to be committed to something of little or no value? That explains why some people are more committed to family, work, school, entertainment, little league, soccer , or 100 other things instead of being committed to the Church.
We’re too much like the little girl who said after church, "Not a bad show for a quarter!" "It wasn’t that way in the church of the Apostles. They did not ask what they could get, but what they could give. Not whether they could be helped so much as whether they could help. It was not so much a matter of being made to feel good as it was to bear another’s burden." (Richard Dresselhaus)
Why is the Church so valuable?
A. Christ Established the Church
Colossians 1:18 And 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.
B. Christ Purchased the Church
Acts 20:28 . . . Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
C. Christ Maintains the Church
Matthew 16:18 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.
When we understand the great value of the church, The question must be asked and then answered in our hearts and lives: “How can a true believer be passive and indifferent toward the Church?”
Conclusion
What do you believe about the church? Do you believe we should join together for worship? Do you believe that we should be evangelistic and reach our world for Christ? Do you believe that the church should be people oriented? Do you believe that the church is valuable?
Are you ready to act upon what you believe? As we prepare to come to the Lord’s Table for communion this morning, I want to encourage you to act upon what you believe about the church.
I remember in the 70’s the UFO craze. Everyone thought they saw a spaceship. It was during this time that several movies were released that dealt with aliens and outer space. One of those was “Close Encounters.” One of the characters started building a small mountain–the mountain grew until it filled his living room. Convinced that this mountain was the place where the aliens were going to arrive, he went in search of the real mountain, and of course when he did the aliens arrived right on schedule.
We don’t need to go looking for UFO’s, but we need to act on some "UIO’s"–we need to act upon what we believe about the Church. “UIO’s”–Upward, Inward and Outward. Let’s move Upward in Worship, Inward in Commitment to ministry toward one another, and Outward in Evangelism to reach our world.
In the weeks to come as we take a closer look at the Church, it is my prayer we will not only focus on the Church, but we will become the Church.
