What Do You Believe is the Purpose of the Church?

What Do You Believe is the Purpose of the Church?

Opening

Lol Doll for Christmas

Churches often prioritize the wrong things.

The Church should not be something people have to force their way into to understand who we are.

We must be Going to them.

OUTCOME

This morning, we are going to examine:

1. What the church is meant to be according to Jesus.

2. And How doing it Christ’s way leads to lasting joy.

Matthew 16:13–19 (HCSB)

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”

And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.”

Context v. 13-17

Mount Hermon: The Gate of Death

Evil or worldly in every sense imaginable. Mardi Gras elder retreat.

Baal worshipers who sacrificed babies and held blood offerings

Pan, the Greek God of Sexual fertility (where prostitute worship began)

Mountain of Oath

Jesus had no reputation there

(just like many people have no significant opinions of Jesus today)

But he asks, “Who do people say that I am?” (Everyday Jewish folk)

Like a Prophet.

The people didn’t welcome prophets.

They were seen as radicals and extremists (What’s he saying now?)

Most OT prophets were rejected,

Jeremiah was beaten and arrested

Isiah wasn't beaten but they did sack and saw him

Daniel wasn't sawed in half but he was thrown to lions.

John the Baptist was beheaded

and Jesus, was arrested, beaten and crucified by the people.

So the masses seeing Jesus as a prophet makes sense by their own human reasoning or as Matthew describes that way of thinking as Flesh and Blood.

But YOU, who do you SAY I AM?

Say (Lego) this word is a confession or an oath.

Many people today hold opinions about Jesus they may not share with unchurched people.

Here on Sunday when you have home field advantage you may be more bold

But what about at work? What is your co-workers were pressing in around you

Virgin birth, walked on water, do you really buy in to all that.

Jesus asks them that question He is really asking,

“What are you prepared to tell others about me?”

Jesus is about to cast a new vision for a thing called the church and it is not based on your private thoughts of Him but your public confession.

What is this vision then of the Church?

What it is not…

She is not to look like the world.

We are NOT worshiping the same God.

She is not a

Political platform,

She does not exist to tackle Social causes

She is not a Club with great programming for kids

Nor is she a religious establishment (teaching but no change)

None of those pursuits are Jesus’s vision for the Church.

It is not meant to be a place that only trains and never deploys

Illustration: Football is about winning

Football does not exist for learning only

Football does not exist for friendships

Football does not exist for discipline

Football does not exist for the Injured reserves.

Because Football is all about winning!

How do I know?

Because if the team is losing, they fall apart.

No Coach gets called up… they create a feel good environment.

The Church does not exist to maintain Sunday School

The Church does not exist to make friends

The Church does not exist to for strengthening Sp disciplines

The Church does not exist as a triage unit for church hurt.

All of those things are the systems that lead to accomplishing the goal of winning. but they are not the end all goal of the Church.

What is the Church? V.18-19

Jesus casts that Vision in v.18

I will also make an oath to you.

I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail over it.

Which ROCK?

ROCK is a double-entendre

The literal rock you are standing on, on earth aimed at the sin of this world

but more importantly the rock of your confession

The rock of Peter’s confession was that Jesus is the Messiah

Meaning the anointed one, who sets the captives free

“My vision is an all-out assault on Hades, for my name’s sake.

Jesus is essentially telling Peter,

“You are right, Peter, and God showed you that based on the power of your confession,

I will build my church made up of many others who have been freed from the hell that you’re looking at.

They will grow and also be used to free people through that powerful confession that I AM the Messiah.

The Church, therefore IS

A group of rescued people who are trying to rescue others through Christ.

That IS the goal of the Church.

We are given authority to “Go” on offense and storm the gates of Hell as representatives of Christ and the Kingdom of God.

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The vision that Jesus declared that day in Caesarea Philippi was then transformed into a mission statement.

Matthew 28:18–20 (HCSB)

Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Going to the gates and discipling converts IS THE GOAL of Christ

The rest of the Mission statement is the system that accomplishes the GOAL

Jesus said He would give us the“Keys”:

Keys are given to one in authority to unlock or bind what is appropriate.

We are the instruments of truth and righteousness that the world will come to believe or reject Jesus as their savior through our message.

The systems used by the church is what are used to reach those in need of rescuing.

Acts 2:42–47 (HCSB)

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.

Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

All those things were being done SO that more people could be rescued through Christ.

You can do those first four things listed in Acts 2, Maybe even hang out together and share all things in common

but if they are not for purpose of reaching unsaved people, you will never accomplish Jesus’ mission for the church

Luke 6:46 HCSB

“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?

Matthew 7:21–22 HCSB

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’

Unless you are doing the Mission of Jesus, sharing the message of Jesus, you are not the church of Jesus.

Why Does It Matter?

1 Reason it matters is i have read the rest of the book.

Rev. 2-3 are clear that you can gather in my name and talk about me but my power will not be with you.

2. Reason it matters is people are hurting on the wrong side of the gate

We hold the keys to eternal life and Have Christs blessing. Don’t insist they come break down the doors to find it.

3. Reason it matters is that people are hurting on our side of the gate.

Peter was told by Christ that he is blessed because of what God has divinely revealed this to Him…

and consequently he would be placed on God’s divine team of rescued people trying to rescue others thought the proclaiming of Christ.

Fulfilling the mission of the church would bring Peter happiness or Joy.

Joy that this world cannot know, but an eternal Joy that overshadows the hardships in Peter’s life and will sustain Him while on mission.

If a church is all about the gatherings but not about the going, they will have little to offer those in their congregation when they are hurting.

many Christians today carry deep hurt, anxiety, disappointment, regret, frustrations

And their spirits are just empty

they had a love one pass and they haven’t recovered yet

They dont know how to draw near to God in difficult times

The weight of the wold is crushing them

When they show kindness or pursue peace they are taken advantage of

They are worn our and looking to the church for help to make sense of it all and feel better and often they are asked to serve in the nursery, sign up for a bake sale or attend a greif share to learn how to cope.

But Jesus didn't say you are going to cope well because of this divine revealing and mission from God.

Churches often make the systems the goal. and the people get hurt because the systems do not bring the blessing, accomplishing the goal or mission brings the blessing.

Matthew 5:1–10 ESV

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

In chapter 4 he was going all throughout the region gathering disciples or people he intended to fulfill His vision of this thing called church.

He gives this great comfort to them, and you can tell they are hooked on the idea.

Sounds Great! What must I do to have that???

Be salt to the earth and light to the world. Go reach the world.

Charge the gates the Hell.

When the church immerses its self in trying to rescues others through Christ, Christ heals us, give purpose to our hurt, and uses those things to help rescues others.

Application Team Come Up

Don’t go it alone. (You cannot love Jesus and reject His Church)

Don’t do it for the wrong reasons (don’t lock the gates)

Don’t settle for less than Christ has sworn to you. (Appeal)

When you gather pray for unsaved

Study the Bible study with unsaved in mind

Eat meals think of who could come that doesn’t know God

When you pray ask God to give you boldness

When you worship be reminded that His glory is not just 4U

When you take the bread and the cup remember there are others

in need of the blessed assurance you have.