Function of the Church - II (Matthew [18]15-20)
Function of the Church - II
Text: Matt. 18:15-20 &
Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)
Date Preached - (09/28/03)
Introduction:
REVIEW of PREVIOUS MESSAGES - We asked Two questions
1. What is the church?
DEFINITION OF CHURCH: A local church is an organized body of believers who are immersed upon credible confession of faith in Jesus Christ, who recognize only two offices (filled by pastor and deacon), who are sovereign in polity, and who are bonded together for work, worship, mutual edification, observance of the ordinances and the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel.
CLARIFYING NOTES....
1. Explain LOCAL vs. UNIVERSAL Church positions.
Study Definition & Usage of ecclessia in NT
Basically – “A Called Out Assembly”
2. Explain the Difference between ISRAEL (OT) and the CHURCH (NT).
Israel is not the OT church, The Church is not the Israel of the NT.
The Church was founded by Christ and empowered at penetcost!
The LOCAL CHURCH is....
I. An Expression of Christ in our Community.
II. An Organism under the Headship of Christ.
III. A God-ordained Institution.
IV. A Caring Community.
V. A Bulwark of the Truth.
2. How is the church to function?
Not Function without Focus, Direction, Purpose or Meaning.
Focus Governs Function (EXPLAIN)
What is the THREE-FOLD Focus of the Church?
I. Upward Focus
Our First Love is Christ
II. Inward Focus
“One another”
III. Outward Focus
Evangelism
NOW THAT WE HAVE DEALT W/ FOCUS...
What then are the Nuts & Bolts of Local Church Function?
I. Polity of the Church / Its Government
A. Organization of the Local Church – Structure
Self-governing or autonomous.
There is no denominational hierarchy to be found in Scripture.
Not the presbytery, synods, & papacy of today.
- It is the Church that calls its Pastor and Deacons – Acts 6:1-5
- It is the Church that send its missionaries – Acts 13:1-3
- It is the Church that Baptizes its converts – Acts 2:41
- It is the Church that Disciplines its members Matt 18:15-17; I Cor. 5:1-6; II John 10-11
- It is the Church that Collects & Distributes its resources – Malachi 3:10; I Cor. 16:1-4
- It is the Church that Directs its ministries.
The Biblical model is a congregational form of church government. SEE ABOVE EXAMPLES – Decisions made by the Church.
Every member has a vote, has a say. NOW, Not every member sets the agenda or leads.
They can seek clarification, they can say “Yea” or “Nay”. They participate in the process.
But can you imagine the confusion if everyone were introducing their personal agenda for the church?
ILLUS: Even a horse only has one head!
EXPLAIN – Functional vs. Scriptural Guidelines.
God has ordained leaders to establish these functional guidelines.
ILLUS: The Operation of a household requires leadership, and the setting of many functional rules – “As for me and my house”.
ILLUS – When I’d complain about a rule as a kid, I’d often say “so & so” doesn’t have that rule. My dad would wisely reply “so & so” is not my son, “but YOU ARE!!”
B. Officers of the Local Church
1. Pastors
presbuteros – Elder
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Timothy 3:66Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
poimeno – Pastor/shepherd
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
episkopos – Bishop/overseer
1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
These components all included in Peter’s exhortation...
1 Peter 5:2-3 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.
2. Deacons
diakoinos - Servant
1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
II. Programs of the Church / Its Ministries
We are talking about the planning and conducting of Effective Services and Ministries in the church.
Note – The Church is not the building, it is the people – But we must assemble! - Heb 10:25
So, We must Have Services!!
A. Sunday Services
Why Sunday?
1. First day of the week – Firstfruits belong to the Lord
2. Example of the early Church
John 20:1919Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Acts 20:77And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
1 Corinthians 16:22Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
3. Lord’s Day (Not NT Sabbath) – Still Saturday
Day of Christ’s Resurrection.
Why AM & PM? – Acts 5:42 – “Daily in the Temple and in every house...”
B. Other Services – Public Assembly
For General Purposes of Prayer / Testimony / Public Worship
For Special Emphasis / Revival / Faith / Missions / Soulwinning etc.
C. Other Ministries, Activities and Programs
Are they in Keeping with God’s purposes for the church?
What are the Criteria?
Both the Message and the Methods must always be Biblical
1. Do They Glorify God?
2. Do They Edify the Saints & Encourage their fellowship?
3. Do They Lift up Christ to the Lost?
III. Provision for the Church / Its Resources
Tithes and Offerings.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
God’s plan has always been for God’s work to be supported by God’s people.
EXAMPLE – OT Tabernacle
LOOK UP & READ Exodus 36:1-6
Throughout OT & NT the giving of God’s people fulfilled two main needs.
1. The sustenance of God’s servants.
2. The work of the ministry.
a. The Physical Plant
b. Day-to-Day operations of ministry. Gospel/Missions/Discipling/Benevolence.
Giving consists of......
1. THE TITHE – (Tenth) 10%
It is New Testament!!
SEE Hebrews 7:4 – Abraham Tithed to the Priest Melchizidek
Matthew 23:2323Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
2. OFFERINGS
Above tithe / Missions / Special Needs / Benevolent
Faith Giving – Or Grace Giving II Cor. 8:1-6
IV. Participation of the Church / Its Membership
What is our Root? - Do I belong?
What is our Role? - Where do I belong?
1. Become a member / Join the church
2. Support the services and ministries of the Local Church.
3. Exercise your spiritual gifting.
Don’t wait to be asked – get involved!!
Be innovative, take initiative – Don’t be a loose cannon!!
4. Are your efforts, gifts & ministries harmonizing with and in keeping with the purposes of the local assembly. Are they contributing to the greater good of the body?
Conclusion: (Review)
ILLUS: The 80s and 90s brought us a new term: The DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY
What are some charatcreistics.....
1. Improper authority or structure. Either no recognized authority or abuse of authority. Parents are permissive and disconnected or controlling and abusive.
2. The absence of healthy social interaction – no “togetherness” (Meal times etc.)
3. Lack of financial accountability (financial irresponsibility) – often leading to want and crisis.
4. Elevation of the “self” above the greater good of the family unit.
APPLICATION: How sad when the church becomes dysfunctional!!