Chapter 1: What is a Church?

Matthew 16:18 CSB

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

INTRO—

**Who told you—more importantly, showed you—what a church is…and its importance? [Mom & Dad; Pastor; SS Teacher…]

How would you answer the question about what a church is…as a kid, teen, adult, believer? [likely differently across those categories]

Sooo… What is a Church?

DESCRIPTIONS MATTER

LESS HELPFUL[…CHALLENGED; These descriptions fall short of adequately or clearly communicating what a/the church is]

“A Club” — ‘Joining’ the church

“A Building” — ‘Driving to’ the church

“A Show” (/Performance) — ‘Enjoying’ church

DECIDEDLY BIBLICAL

A gathering & the fellowship of the…

Family of God (Household)

Body of Christ

Temple of the Spirit

Pillar and Foundation of the Truth

Bride of Christ

Christ’s Flock

A City on a Hill

SCRIPTURES

“Pillar and Foundation of the Truth”

1 Timothy 3:15 “But if I should be delayed, I have written so that 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.”

Here then is the double responsibility of the church vis-à-vis the truth. First, as its foundation it is to hold it firm, so that it does not collapse under the weight of false teaching. Secondly, as its pillar it is to hold it high, so that it is not hidden from the world. To hold the truth firm is the defence and confirmation of the gospel; to hold it high is the proclamation of the gospel. The church is called to both these ministries.

[John R. W. Stott, Guard the Truth: The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 105.]

“A City on a Hill” [p. 24, Par. 3 in Book]

Matthew 5:14 ““You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.”

[[Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” ]]

“Family of God” (Household)

Ephesians 2:19–22 “So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.”

“Temple of the Spirit”

1 Peter 2:4–7 “As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and honored cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame. So honor will come to you who believe; but for the unbelieving, The stone that the builders rejected— this one has become the cornerstone,”

[[1 Corinthians 3:16–17 “Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.” ]]

A HELPFUL SUMMATION

A Gospel word & A Gospel community [p. 23, Par. 2 in Book]

WHERE WE’RE HEADED

The Flow Chart for the rest of the book [pp. 25-26 in Book]…

An extended, detailed definition which is flow charted to show where that aspect of church life is discussed in the book.

CONCL—

THE CHURCH…

And Jesus

Colossians 1:18 “He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.”

And each other & the world

John 13:34–35 ““I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.””

INVITATION:

Salvation

Understanding the Church (Biblically)

Importance of the Church (Biblically & Personally)

1 Peter 2:5 CSB

you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.