The Character and Nature of Christ’s Church

Introduction: Often when we consider the church we think of the four walls, windows, ceiling, and floors. The church however goes beyond the physical edifice. The church is not merely an inanimate object, not just a place, the church is not a building, the church lives, and the church is an organism which breathes, sees, and feels.

Now, the word church derives from two (2) words which I believe aid us in understanding Christ intentions and purpose for His church. The first of these being the Greek word “KURIAKOS,” which means, “BELONGING TO THE LORD,” the second of these words is “EKKLESIA” which means “ASSEMBLEY.” If we combine the two (2) we get the meaning “AN ASSEMBLY BELONGING TO THE LORD.” Notice then the church is an Assembly of people belonging to the Lord.

Now when Christ told Peter and the other disciples His church will be built on a rock, he said I build this rock on stability, on a solid foundation, I build this church on me. (You do know He is the rock, don’t you!) For the bible says…, He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. , He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. Christ makes it perfectly clear that the He is the foundation of the Church. The church is His.

Not only does the Church belong to Christ but the church ought emulate Christ.

He really said my church will look like me, my church will act like me, my church will be what I command it to be. This is why the Bible says later in (KJV)

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Well, what does the church that Christ built look like:

I. POSTURED FOR PRAYER

A.) The church must pray, prayer is a necessity for the survival of the church. Prayer secures certain benefits that just believing won’t get you. Prayer maintains the integrity of the Church. As long as you are praying you are on your knees, as long as you are on your knees, you understand your position and God’s Majesty.

B.) The church must pray to maintain power, show me a weak church; I’ll show you a church that does not pray. When the church stays on its knees, Hell stays under beneath its foundation.

C.) What ever happened to Prayer Meeting? Big Mama had Prayer service. Everybody prayed…

(KJV) 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

(KJV) 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

II. PURPOSELY PERSONAL

Isn’t it interesting, that sometimes you find resentment among people who claim to know God? I mean isn’t it nerve racking that some of the greatest challenges are not on the outside of the church but are within the church.

The biggest thing that keeps the church from growing is the attitude of its present members. Many have the attitude, “I want my church to grow, but I don’t want new members!” And this is because we find those who would like to keep things status quo. Status quo won’t help you grow. If the present assembly is stand offish and distant the church will fail at growing! If we fail at expanding our relationships and fellowships we fail and building His kingdom.

Statistics say that if a new member joins the church and fails to develop relationships with six people, that person will leave the church. What am I saying? If the church is going to be what Christ wants it to be, we must purposely forge relationships among one another. We must purposely fellowship. We must purposely seek to know one another. We must be deliberate in our love. Our intent must be to share ourselves as well as the gospel with those among us. The bible says, “…love thy neighbor as thyself...” I don’t know of anyone who ignores him self. Love touches, love reaches, love embraces. warns us about clicks, 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. Really what Christ was saying is we must embrace everybody, even those that are different, even those that may despise us we must be deliberate in building relationships.

III. POSITIVELY PRODUCTIVE

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Jesus charges us to become His so much so that we do His will. He says, if we fail to produce we shall be cut away. However, if we are productive in is will, and advancing His kingdom He will purge us and we will become more fruitful. TAKE AWAY- 3a to move from its place. 3b to take off or away what is attached to anything. 3c to remove. PURGE- to cleanse, of filth impurity, etc. 1a to prune trees and vines from useless shoots.

Many churches have become so busy with negative stuff until we cause the church to be unproductive; because the focus is taken from reaching others, to keeping hell out of the church.

The Church must be productive, and what makes the Church productive is the Church’s ability to stay focused on its mission and that is to win souls for Christ. That mission is to advance His Kingdom. Every church member should make it a goal to reach somebody for Christ! If we are going to be the church wants we must get up and be about His service and not about ourselves.

IV. PASSION FOR THE PASTOR

a. Pray for the Pastor (KJV) 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

b. Many people have the wrong idea of praying when it comes to the Pastor because instead of P-R-A-Y many would prefer to P-R-E-Y on the Pastor.

c. Provide for the pastor, it amazes me how we have devised metheods to pool resources to provide for the president but fail to do the same for the man of God.

d. We feel He ought struggle… (Rev. Alexander)

e. 17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward

f. Protect the Pastor

1. your pastor ought mean enough to you to

V. PERSISTANTLY PRAISE

a. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

b. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

c. I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.