Why the Local Church Matters - Part 3

Recap

In the first part of our study, we started by showing the three analogies of the church given in I Timothy 3:15

1 Timothy 3:15 KJV 1900

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

The church as a household

The question: Am I part of the household? Are you saved?

The church as an Assembly

The question: Am I part of the assembly?

The church as a pillar

The question: Am I part of the strength and support for truth in my church?

So, we concluded that the church is a saved body of believers that assemble together to keep and stand for truth.

Then last week we discussed how the local church is illustrated by God as a “Body”…

The Body Should be Connected

Connected to God

Connected to Each other

All Parts of the Body are Needed

3. The Body Should be Accountable

Now this week:

“Why the Local Church Matters” - The Church as a Flock

Here Paul is instructing the elders at the church at Ephesus…

Acts 20:28–31 KJV 1900

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

God as the Chief Shepherd:

He is called “Shepherd” in Genesis 49:24

He is called “Shepherd of Israel” in Psalms 80:1

He is called the “Good Shepherd” in John 10:11

He is called the “Great Shepherd” in Hebrews 13:20

And He is called the “Chief Shepherd” in I Peter 5:4

I want to show you that the Local Church Matters for 4 reasons today:

1. It Provides Instruction (Food)

Acts 20:28 KJV 1900

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

a.) The Command From God to Pastors

“…feed the church of God…”

John 21:15–17 KJV 1900

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

1 Peter 5:2 KJV 1900

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

b.) From Pastors to People

Matthew 4:4 KJV 1900

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Hebrews 5:12–14 KJV 1900

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Get in church and stay in church and place yourself under the preaching and teaching of God’s Word so you can grow!

Food is a necessary element of our surivival physically…

It too is a necessary element of our survival spiritually…

We have too many starving Christians when there is no need as the food of the Word of God is at our fingertips constantly…

*The Local Church Matters because it is a life source of food and instruction

2. It Provides Protection

We NEED protection!

From what?

Acts 20:29 KJV 1900

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Matthew 7:15 KJV 1900

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

2 Peter 2:1–3 KJV 1900

1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Jude 4 KJV 1900

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

*The Local Church Matters because it is a source of protection!

3. The Benefit of Direction

1 Peter 5:2–3 KJV 1900

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Why do we need direction?

a.) Because we wander (Zech. 10:2)

b.) Because we go astray (Is. 53:6)

c.) Because we get lost (Jer. 50:6)

*The Local Church Matters because it is a source of Direction!