Portraits of the Church (2)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: Last week we began a short series on the church called, I love the church. The reason I did not title the series “I love my church,” or “I love LifePoint Church,” is certainly not because I don’t love LifePoint. What I want to emphasize is that I love the universal church — all Christians of all ages who rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ. The church in its various Biblical expressions.
The church may look different, worship different, emphasize different aspects of the Christian life, but ultimately look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith for salvation and empowered Christian living. I love the universal church. Visible and invisible. For those who hang on words, I am not saying that I applaud non-biblical expressions of the church such as cults, heretics, false teachers, and those who encourage non-biblical practices.
Because I love the universal church, I love the local reflection of the heavenly pattern. I love the local church and would love to see more of them. I would love to see 50 more churches in Hardin county of all different varieties. Storefronts, in private homes, outdoor churches, churches in restaurants, churches in schools, churches on every corner. Churches of every size chipping away at the lostness of Hardin County.
The three biggest churches in town could send enough people out to start 75% of those 50 churches and never miss them, if they would. I dare say that those three churches have the resources to send them and if prioritized to fund them. There’s enough unchurched in Hardin county to fill all 50 of those churches with 2000 people each.
So, why don’t we do that? The church in America has forgotten who they are. Christians have forsaken their duty and obligation to Christ! My goal this morning is to help remind us by looking at the portraits of the church. We looked at 3 of these portraits last week; the body of Christ, the Temple of God, and the Family of God. This week we will investigate 3: The Pillar and Ground of Truth, The Army of God, and the Bride of Christ. Let’s look again at our text in Hebrews 12:18-24
18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”) 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
This reminds us of the value, importance, and essentiality of the church.
The church universal and local is a sacred thing that we should approach with reverent fear.
I’m not talking about a building although it doesn’t exclude that, but I’m talking about the faith community.
This text reminds us that we cannot view the church flippantly or with disdain. When we abuse or attack the church, we are assaulting Christ. For a reference look at Acts 9:4-5.
We must be cautious to have a high view of the church. Not just our church but all God-ordained churches.
So, what are the other 3 portraits of the church?
Pillar and Ground of Truth
Pillar and Ground of Truth
1 Timothy 3:14-15 paints a picture of the church as an architectural masterpiece. A building with a strong foundation and massive pillars that hold up an ornate roof.
14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
The dwelling place of the Living God is the church. God inhabits the praises of His people. When we are together God is in our presence. We talked about that last week.
But also we need to be reminded that this community does more than gather. This community interacts with truth. In fact, I want to mention a few ways that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth.
First, the church is the steward of the truth. The Gospel has been entrusted to the church’s care and we will be accountable for its purity. The parables of Jesus concerning the talents is an illustration of individual stewardship and corporately the stewardship of the church.
Second, the church is the guardian of the truth. In 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul directs Timothy to entrust the message of the Gospel to faithful men who will pass it on to other faithful men. The admonishment continues in 2 Timothy 2:15 when he directs Timothy to be diligent and show himself approved by rightly dividing the word of truth.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Third, the church is the witness of the truth. Acts 1:8
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Fourth, the church is the example of the truth. John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Last, the church is the beacon of truth. When the world is looking for truth, one body should standout above all others — the church. We are the light! Philippians 2:14-16
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Lock, in his pastoral epistles said, “Each local church has it in its power to support and strengthen the truth by its witness to the faith and by the lives of its members.”
The church is the pillar and ground of the truth! What a beautiful portrait of the importance and necessity of the church. Another portrait of the church is:
The Army of God
The Army of God
Jesus stated that He would build His church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)
This is spoken in military terms. The church would go to battle against death and the devil and these forces of evil would not stand a chance.
Timothy is encouraged to wage a good warfare in 1 Timothy 1:18
18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
And portrayed as a soldier in 2 Timothy 2:3-4
3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
What does this imagery of the church as the Army of God reinforce?
First, we are at war. The church is engaged in a spiritual battle with physical aspects and casualties. Don’t think because its spiritual there are no physical consequences. They are worse!
We are at war with the nature of the flesh
We are at war with the spirit of antichrist — world system
We are at war with Satan and dark forces.
Wartime conditions call for wartime preparation.
Wartime attitude (WWII)
Caution and care
Strategies
Intelligence
Sacrifices
Weapons of this warfare:
We know what Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us about the armor of God.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
How do we put these on?
Repentance
Prayer
Scriptural Input
Serving at your station
Giving to the war effort
And, training and sending out other troops.
I believe this about the church. The enemy better watch out when the army of God gets aroused. When the church is in one accord it will turn the world upside down or better said, right side up.
The last portrait of the church is the most precious and most known.
The Bride of Christ
The Bride of Christ
Ephesians 5:22-33 is the most extensive text on this portrait.
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Within the text there are instructions for husbands and wives so that live together in a healthy, productive, supportive relationship where each individual’s needs are met.
The underlying message is the mystery of Christ and the Church.
The picture is that of the church being brought into the harmonious relationship with the triune God where each party places the needs of the other above their own needs.
A relationship of overflowing love, demonstrated love, sacrificial love, and enduring love.
A relationship of mutual love, trust, respect, and value.
A relationship that is void of fear, will never be ended by death, and creates the deepest satisfaction and peace.
A relationship where the greatest of all conceivable beings loves, accepts, and covenants His faithfulness to those who have repented and vowed their love to Him.
Can you imagine the implications of this portrait? I don’t think that I can. It is beyond my reckoning.
What does the church do with this exalted position?
Invite as many as possible to join the ranks of the redeemed and share in the glory of Christ and His bride. Revelation 22:17
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Let’s pray and prepare for the invitation.
Response Time
Response Time
What is the invitation time?
It’s not the time of the service that we take that long await restroom break.
It’s not the time that we gather all of our things and exit the sanctuary.
It’s not the time that we checkout mentally and spiritually.
It is the time that we consider everything that we have heard, engage with it mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and act physically.
What are some ways we can act.
Would you consider praying for others? We never know what others are going through and most of the time we act as if we don’t care.
Would you consider praying that God’s Spirit would reign during this time. That He would move and have liberty in this place.
Would you consider asking God to help you become what the scripture portrays the church? Foundation for truth, army of God, bride of Christ.
Would you consider joining the church of the living God on the same basis as all of its members — repentance and faith.
