Heavenly Perspective - God's Thoughts and Plans for His Church

Many people, including Christians, don’t really understand what God’s plans are for His church.

This is like getting onto a boat or an airplane when you have no idea where it’s going.

You might want to know where the vehicle is headed before you hop on board.

Although it’s possible, you might not want to disembark in mid-air.

Have you ever been on a cruise?

One of the most amazing parts of being on many cruises is that it is all-inclusive - you don’t have to purchase your meals, snacks, activities, etc. They are all included in the purchase price of the ticket.

If you don’t know this, you might limit what you eat, or the things you experience because you don’t have enough to pay for those things…but it’s already paid for.

If you don’t know what the church is for, you can easily miss out on the included-blessings along the way.

God’s great church is going somewhere & you can be a part of the journey.

Matthew 16:17–18 (WUESTNT)

And answering, Simon Peter said, As for you, you are the Christ, the Son of God, the living God. And answering, Jesus said to him, Spiritually prosperous are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but my Father who is in heaven. Moreover, as for myself, I also am saying to you, You are Rock [petros, masculine in gender, a detached but large fragment of rock], and upon this massive rock [petra, feminine in gender, feminine demonstrative pronoun cannot go back to masculine petros; petra, a rocky peak, a massive rock] I will build my Church. And the councils of the unseen world shall not overpower it.

Peter was literally “a chip off the old block”

Peter was made of the very same material and fabric of God’s great church.

Don’t be on the outside, be woven into the fabric of your church - THIS church!

Busting a Church Myth:

Myth: It’s all about the Kingdom, and the individual local church isn’t that important.

We are all just under Kingdom authority, not local authority.

BTW, I have only ever heard these things said by those looking to minimize the authority of the local church pastor so they don’t need to listen to them.

Someone has the rule over you. (Heb 13:17)

God places the solitary in families (Ps. 68:6)

Family’s were the smallest divisions in Israel (Family, Tribe, Nation)

The epistles were written to specific local churches and Revelations addresses the pastors of 7 local churches - not just addressed to the Kingdom

The Church as a Body:

God accomplishes His purpose through the Local Church which is a necessary and region-specific & people-specific part of God’s Kingdom-plan.

God says the church is a body.

1 Corinthians 12:27 NKJV

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

Each cell of the body has a life of its own & has a purpose of its own, but it only impactful in the context of the whole body.

Every cell of the body has the same DNA as every other cell & no cell is unimportant.

Ephesians 4:16 AMP

16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.

God’s view of His church is:

A group of called out, chosen, gathered, equipped, trained, sent, cleansed, set apart, sanctified, judged, mature, healed, whole, & qualified to be the victorious bride for His Son people following Him & doing His will.

The church is meant to be much more of an elite army than a social club.

It’s difficult for a warrior to fight effectively when they are wounded

Jesus’ church is a place of healing so we can be victorious. (Matt 9:12)

Jesus’ Church is full of purpose.

The purpose of Jesus’ Church is the Redemption and Salvation of all people.

If you are a part of Jesus’ church body, you have a purpose in that body.

Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Live Your Purpose:

The purpose of a Christian is not just to show up on Sunday & listen.

If you don’t know your purpose in the House of God:

Give your time, talents, ability & availability to Jesus, His purpose & His body.

It’s easiest to find our purpose when we are doing, moving, and serving rather than waiting and praying.

By being a doer, you will find where you have a specific grace from God.

Some easy ways to start doing:

Tell your story - share your testimony with others and point them to Jesus (B.C., C, A.D.)

Do what you can & Do what needs to be done

If you have hands, open a door or give a hug or scrub a toilet

If you have a smile, welcome someone

Whether or not you can carry a tune or play an instrument, help to lead others into worship whether from your seat or from the platform

If you have abundance, be an abundant giver

If you’ve done the Compass Course, give the Compass Course

Be a bringer

Bring people to Jesus

Bring people with you on your journey with Jesus as part of your body and family

Just One Thing:

The plan of God for His church is to be beautiful, radiant, & victorious! This happens by every individual part and person maturing and functioning at full-capacity in their unique way and calling in body of Christ.

Discussion Questions:

What elements of pop culture will be forever tied in your mind to your childhood?

What wrong concepts of the purpose of God’s church have you heard before? Which correct things about God’s church blessed you in this message.

Please read 1 Corinthians 12:27 & Ephesians 4:16 and share what aspect of a physical body speaks to you most about Jesus’ church.

In what areas can you become more of a doer to see if God might have special grace for you in that area of the church & its purpose?