The Household of God
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Concerning the church and our view toward it.
1 Timothy 3:14-16
The called out church of the Living God.
The called out church of the Living God.
The Divine Blueprint for the Church
Matthew 16:18 tells us, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The church isn’t just an idea or a concept, but a fortress against evil, built by Christ Himself.
In similar fashion, the local church provides a place to bolster our faith and encourage us to lean on each other in our spiritual development.
Ephesians 5:25-27 compares Christ’s love for the church to the love husbands should have for their wives, aiming for a church “without spot or wrinkle,” holy and blameless.
“church” from ekklesia, the root word, “to call”. We are the “called out”. We are called to be different from the rest of the world, to be living sacrifices for the Living God (Rom 12).
Every action we take as a collective and as individuals reflects upon each other, the local church as a whole, and God Himself.
The Nature of the Church
The Demonstration of God’s Wisdom - Ephesians 3:10-11 Through the church, the manifold wisdom of God is made known. This wisdom must be unaltered, pure as God intended.
Made up of the “beloved” - Ephesians 1:5-6 We are adopted into God’s family. We are His “beloved”! What an encouraging thought.
Daniel was “greatly beloved” (Daniel 9:23; 10:11,19) It means that God cared greatly for him. Because of Daniel’s faithfulness, he was like Noah, who found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Gen 6).
Designed to bring Glory to God - Ephesians 3:20-21 The church’s ultimate purpose is to bring glory to God through Christ.
The assembly - the synagogue.
What do we mean when we talk about “the assembly”?
This word for “church” is ekklesia, or “assembly”. It appears in various places.
When Paul mentions “come together” in 1 Cor 11:18, he is using a word that means to “assemble” in the sense of physical presence. He is still speaking of the assembly, but focusing on the closeness the brethren should have for one another.
Another word is used in James 2:2. The word for “assembly” here is the same word used elsewhere for synagogue.
The cultural roots of local congregations actually go back to the synagogue system developed during the period of the 400 years of biblical silence.
The synagogues were not for sacrifices, or observing the feast days. The primary activities in the synagogue were reading from the Torah and the Prophets, prayer, and teaching.
In fact, these activities were typically accompanied by chanting or singing without instruments. The focus was on the Word of God, with an emphasis on vocal prayer and scripture reading.
There is no manuscript evidence that instrumental music was ever prescribed or used in the synagogue settings.
This is not to say that the synagogue was THE MODEL; rather, it was a convenient process they could easily adapt, as most early Christians had been Jews already.
We need to appreciate the fact that we have a place weekly to share in these great efforts together as we seek the Living God in our lives.
The Pillar and Ground of the Truth.
The Pillar and Ground of the Truth.
God’s Design for the Church
Purity - Ephesians 5:25-27 Read it already, yet it emphasizes the sanctification and cleansing of the church.
Unity - John 17:20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Eph 4:1-6 United expressly in the way that God defines.
Zeal - God the Father’s and Christ’s zeal press us to be active and hot in our devotion to Him. Rom 12:9-13; Col 3:23-25
The Seed
God entrusted the church to human hands to spread His Word, as seen in Matthew 16:18-19.
We are to plant and water the seed of the Gospel, as 1 Peter 1:22-23 explains, with love and truth.
Two Ways the church can be in trouble
Corrupted Seed - Galatians 1:6-9 warns of perversions to the gospel, which are anathema.
A Failure to develop.Churches and individuals can fail to develop and practice according to the teachings of God.
God put the local congregation in the hands of imperfect men. What does that mean?
The two ways that the church can fail are what we should always be concerned about and vigilant against.
He warns us of how we see ourselves. 1 Cor 10:12
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
We are told to fight for the faith. Jude 3
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
We are warned against the prince of this world, the leader of the dark spiritual forces that are in this world. 1 Pet 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
The Greatest Challenges to the Truth
Indifference and Denial
It is a seductive thing to say nothing when truth is challenged. There is much less stress and discomfort if we can convince ourselves there is no problem, or at least nothing to be concerned
about.
Amos 6:1-6 comfort can blind us to real issues.
That time was marked by some who were saying Jer. 8:11
For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly,
Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’
When there is no peace.
We are often chided today by others who want to deflect and act as if there is no true danger. Others, who are a bit more aware, will still say, “well at least it isn’t happening here”.
Let us watch out for a compromising spirit which “goes along to get along”. This is not our business or our goal as soldiers in God’s army.
OTHERS, WITH A MORE SINISTER MOTIVE, ACTUALLY DISCOURAGE WARNINGS:
They demonize disagreement.
They try to marginalize the critic through ridicule or mischaracterizing him.
They redefine the boundaries of fellowship.
Gospel vs. doctrine
Foundational vs. growth doctrine
Denial of deity of Christ vs. virtually everything else
Explicit vs. implicit doctrines
God says: Eph 5:14
Therefore He says:
“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
Satan will use indifference to bury us. Don’t let yourself be so.
Refusing to recognize True Evil
On one level, it is hard for the child of God to be suspicious. We are taught to trust one another and believe in one another, and to be longsuffering in dealing with others’ mistakes.
This “WORKS” when “both sides” are equally interested in achieving the true goals of God. God discourages manipulative, dishonest, or using devices to deal in teaching and practice — and we sometimes assume that everybody is trying to do that.
The reality is, even among God’s children, everybody DOES NOT begin there. There are those who actually PLAN to subvert gospel teaching:
Some intend to “draw away disciples after them” - Acts 20:29
Some live as “ravening wolves, not sparing the flock”. Acts 20:29 (Matt 7:15-21)
Of such, God says, BEWARE! These are what is colloquially known as “bad faith actors”. Unwilling to actually deal with an argument, but rather stonewalling their position without any true basis for what they say.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
We have to judge them by their “actions” (fruit) as well as their words. (Matt 7:20)
We must be “open” but not “gullible”
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Ignorance of God’s Authority
Many are in the church only in name, not in practice or heart.
Rather, 1 Cor 4:6
Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
If there is something beyond the scriptures that someone is trying to encourage or grow in me… I should resist even thinking about it.
Clergy-Laity Distinctions
Manifested in in the first century -- Gnostics (“we are the people” — we are more spiritual, have greater insight, than you)
Early times — popery and its hierarchy, custodians of truth which is kept from the common people
In the reformers and denominationalists — priests, one man pastors, reverends, apostles, etc.
among Christians — same positions, more euphemistic terminology..one man pastors, preacher - dominated congregations; an elitist group who expect to determine the thoughts of brethren…
THEY ALL DO THE SAME THING: Luke 11:52
“Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.”
“lawyers” not in the modern sense. In Jesus day were simple the ones who knew the Law. They SHOULD have given what they knew freely, but they kept others from receiving what they needed to grow and develop in the Lord.
Half-converted Members
Some remain tied to their past, not fully embracing the church’s teachings, as 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 advises against.
Ignorance and a Lack of Real and Earnest Love
Love should be active, not just spoken, according to 1 John 3:18. This is the overriding love of Truth.
Loving someone enough to criticize, rebuke, and even withdraw from them if necessary.
Showing that love in small ways so that when we have to make the hard decisions, they truly MEAN something.
We CAN watch out for these things, guard against them. In doing so, we are being faithful soldiers of God’s army.
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
