Is Church Really Important
Is Church Really Important?
Pastor E. Keith Hassell
Foundation Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20
I. Is church really important?
II. Jesus said that He would build His Church (Matthew 16:18)
A. The church is still God’s eternal plan
III. What is the “Church” anyway?
A. Church is NOT a physical structure
B. Church: Greek: ekklesia, means “those called out.”
C. In the New Testament, ekklesia refers to an assembly of believers joined to Christ’s spiritual body through faith in Christ and the new birth
D. Universal vs. Local Church:
1. “The universal church” is the invisible body of Christ composed of all believers. The invisible church is made up of all believers already in heaven. The invisible church can be called “the church at rest” consisting of those who have died and entered into their reward.
2. “The local church” is a visible manifestation of the universal church in a given locality. The visible church is made up of those still alive on the earth. The church on the earth can be called “the church militant.”
IV. The Church is:
A. Army (Indirectly, we are soldiers, 2 Timothy 2:3-4)
B. Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph 4:15-16; 5:23; Col 1:18)
C. Bride of Christ (Jn 3:29; Rev. 19:7-9)
D. God’s Building (1 Cor 3:9)
E. Chosen Generation (1 Pet 2:9)
F. Church of the Firstborn (Heb 12:23)
G. Citizenship with the saints (Eph 2:19)
H. Family of God (Eph 3:14-15)
I. God’s Field (1 Cor 3:9)
J. Holy Priesthood & Royal Priesthood (1 Pet. 2:7, 9)
K. Flock of God (Jn 10; 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:1-3)
L. The Household of God (Eph 2:19)
M. The Household of Faith (Gal 6:10)
N. A Holy Nation (1 Pet 2:9)
O. A Lampstand (Rev 1:20)
P. A Peculiar People (1 Pet 2:9)
Q. The Pillar and Ground of Truth (1 Pet 3:9)
R. God’s Vineyard (Jn 15; 1 Cor 9:7)
S. Wife of the Lamb (Eph 5:23-32; Rev 21:9)
V. What constitutes a New Testament church?
A. No. 1: It recognizes Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church
B. No. 2: The members are visibly connected through relationships as the body of Christ. They gather regularly to manifest the visible church. In cases of persecution these gatherings may become less public but the connection and relationship between the members remains intact.
C. No. 3: It has legitimate God-ordained church government (pastors, elders, bishops, overseers, presbyters, etc.)
D. No. 4: It is dedicated to teaching and preserving the Apostle’s Doctrine (New Testament)
E. No. 5: It holds its leaders and members accountable
F. No. 6: It administers the two ordinances of Christ—water baptism and the Lord’s Supper
G. No. 7: It is dedicated to fulfilling the Great Commission which includes winning souls and making disciples of every nation
VI. What excuses does the devil use to undermine Christ’s church today?
A. Excuse 1: “Sunday is my day to rest, do what I want, and to catch up on chores.”
1. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV) “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
B. Excuse 2: “I don’t have to go to church to have a relationship with God.”
1. True. You don’t have to go to church to have a relationship with God but a true relationship with God includes a relationship with His family the church.
C. Excuse 3: “Church is full of hypocrites.”
1. Hypocrites are found in every part of human society. Jesus is building His church and He knows how to take care of the hypocrites. Don’t blame your disobedience on the hypocrites.
D. Excuse 4: “Church is just a gimmick to get money.”
1. The church is so important to God has ordained its support through the tithes and offerings of God’s people.
2. Is the church obsessed with money or are you obsessed with money if giving God what is His creates problems in your heart?
E. Excuse 5: “Church is just a man-made organization.”
1. Jesus is building the church, not man.
F. Excuse 6: “I listen to Christian television and radio as my church.”
1. Listening to Christian television and radio can add to your growth as a Christian but it cannot replace relationships. You and I cannot be accountable to a television show nor can we receive the personal ministry we need from a television show.
G. Excuse 7: “I am a member of the universal church.”
1. Although we are all a part of the universal church, it finds its expression in the visible local church which involves both relationship and accountability.
H. Excuse 8: “My church is hanging out with Christian friends.”
1. Hanging out with other believers can be constituted as fellowship but not as a replacement for the local church.
I. Excuse 9: “The church has too many problems.”
1. Jesus is perfecting His church. He uses the problems and difficulties in the church to bring about maturity in our lives.
J. Excuse 10: “I don’t want to get hurt.”
1. We will always be hurt and disappointed by people. Church is no exception. Jesus is teaching us how to love through the process of forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration.
K. Excuse 11: “I’m just too busy.”
1. Involvement in what God is doing is not an option for the believer. It is a matter of priority.
L. Excuse 12: “I’m just one person. They won’t miss me.”
1. One little toe missing from the body makes walking difficult. Every member is needed.
M. Excuse 13: “I’ll attend but I won’t join.”
1. Commitment identifies and establishes the nature of the relationship.
N. Excuse 14: “I’ll go to church once I get my life together.”
1. That’s like saying I’ll go to the hospital once I get well.
VII. Is church really important? You decide.