When the King Searches for a Bride
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Text:
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
because we are members of his body.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
because we are members of his body.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
INTRODUCTION
Eph. 5.22-
INTRODUCTION
“A man who was in search of a bride inserted an ‘ad’ in the classifieds: “Wife wanted”. Next day he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: “You can have mine.””
Summer months - months when most weddings planned: June, August, September and October are the most popular).
Weddings are very beautiful. So romantic, so much love; family coming together to celebrate.
Some love the heat. Others, not so much. Thank God for AC too.
Many may ask why on a beautiful summer day you are going to church.
The church is unimportant, in fact, obsolete, even dangerous.
You may have heard the saying: I am not a religious person. I am spiritual. I don’t believe in organized religion.
Some have countered: “Well. Be a part of our church. We are disorganized religion!”
Other church’s mission statement: “A church where the unchurched people like to attend.”
Today’s sermon: When the King Searches for a Bride.
It’s all about the Lord JC in search of a bride.
But it is not about me searching for a bride or about you.
It is about the Lord JC in search of a bride.
Series: Committing to Christ through His Church, the Bride of Christ.
Next few weeks:
What is the church?
Why is it important?
Why should I commit to a local church?
What is the church?
Not a building. Many buildings are now monuments. But the church is not a monument. it is a movement.
Not a denomination. Not an organization. It is a living, vibrant, thriving organism.
Not man’s idea or invention. The church is a divine institution, owned, created and sustained by the Lord Jesus Christ.
The church is a divine institution, owned, created and sustained by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus said “I will build MY church.”
The church began on the Day of Pentecost when the HS Spirit descended in the Upper Room.
The church began on the Day of Pentecost when the HS Spirit descended in the Upper Room.
The church is the ‘Ecclesia’ of God: “Called out ones.”
The church is made up of men and women, boys and girls, who believe the gospel of Jesus, responded to it by repenting of their sins, received JC as Lord; they have been born-again by the Spirit of God; lives have been changed; have been water-baptized to show the world that they are now walking the narrow way.
Your name may be on roll in some church but if you are not saved, you are not a part of God’s church.
Jesus must be in your heart, be your Lord and Savior.
Why is it important?
It is of God.
It is God’s.
Jesus gave His life for the church.
God works in the world today through the church.
He is not returning for any social club or charitable organization - Red Cross, Salvation Army.
He is returning for His church, His Bride.
We will inherit the New heaven and New earth.
The future of this universe is with the church.
My message today: Commit your life to Christ and His church.
Don’t sit on the fence. Don’t be a spectator anymore. Move to commitment and involvement.
Jesus wants you!
Uncle Sam wants you.
The Scriptures teach us that the Church is the Bride of Christ.
Follow the steps He took to get His Bride; the steps He took in search of His Bride.
1. Jesus’ Search for a Bride
1. Jesus’ Search for a Bride
He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing.
You want a bride, you have to look.
Pastor:
It is good to fall in love and get married.
To a sister: You only bloom once.
Once you into your twenties, start thinking about the kind of person you desire to have as your spouse.
Have some qualities you desire but don’t be too picky.
Trust God.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
Paul is comparing the husband-wife relationship to that of Christ and His Church.
Leave. Cleave. Become one flesh.
The same way the man has to leave his parents, Jesus left His Father in glory to come to earth in search for His Bride.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Phil 2.
John, the Beloved Apostle wrote:
No slides
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Apostle Paul penned:
No slides
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus left His Father in heaven and came into the world looking for His Bride.
He left His splendor of heaven, knowing His destiny
He left His splendor of heaven, knowing His destiny
“twas the lonely hill of Golgotha
There to lay down His life for me.
If that isn’t love
the ocean is dry...
This brings us to ...
2. Jesus’ Love for the Bride
2. Jesus’ Love for the Bride
Eph. 5.25
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
Paul also said Christ cherishes it.
Remember the love song from the 80s, “Cherish the love we had. We should cherish the life we live.”
We should cherish the life we live
That’s Biblical!
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Cherish your husband, your wife. “I cherish you.”
Jesus loved the church so much that He gave His life for His church.
Contrast with many cultures in the world where the wife makes the sacrifice for the husband.
Jesus loved the church. He gave His life for His church.
She cooks, cleans, works. He is King.
Jesus here makes the sacrifice. He loves the church.
Dowry -Some parts of the world a dowry is paid by the bride’s parents.
Some parts of the world a dowry is paid by the bride’s parents.
The price paid by the father of the groom to the father of the bride was called mohar. Gifts were called mattan.
He paid the dowry
“Mattan” was the Hebrew word for the gifts given by the groom to the bride in addition to the mohar.
Here Jesus pays and with his own life.
Do you see how important the church is to Jesus?
DO you see why the devil hates the church? and maligns it?
He scandals the name of the bride of Christ.
How many of you would like to hear something demeaning, defiling said of your bride?
I want to love what Jesus loved. I must love the church.
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
I must not be critical of the church - saying it is full of hypocrites, backbiters, pretenders.
I must not join with the Archenemy of God, Satan and accuse the brethren.
But many will say - But the church is corrupt. There are so many evils in the church.
So let’s address that:
3. The Preparation of the Bride
3. The Preparation of the Bride
Whenever individuals are critical of the church and highlight the shortcomings and failures of the church, we need to remember a few things:
Not everyone who attends church is a follower of Christ.
We do not stop anyone from entering these buildings.
Some are under the influence to come - parents, friends, relatives; may be in search of bride also.
The church is not a place for self- righteous people.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance
The church is for sinners, the lost, the empty, the hopeless. The people who realize they need God.
The church is made of people who are at different stages of their spiritual maturity.
Although the church is not perfect, she is being perfected.
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
. 26
Song: Man in the mirror. Usually Woman in the Mirror.
Women take pride in looking beautiful - hair, ear rings, lip stick, dress, jewelry, shoes, handbags, accessories.
You reflect the beauty of God!
When the groom looks down the aisle and sees the bride walking - she is glowing, beautiful, long white dress, WOW!
Jesus is working on perfecting the Bride for that day.
That’s why we meet as a church. We gather regularly, Fridays, Sundays, Small groups as the potential bride, getting ready for the groom.
And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
“everyone who has this hope purifies himself.”
When we meet and receive the Word, we are being washed, sanctified, purified.
He wants the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle.
That she might be holy and without blemish.
This is why we come to church.
You may say but I am the church.
You are a Christian at home.
You are the church when you assemble with others.
So, we have the search, the dowry, the preparation.
For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
But when is the wedding?
4. The Wedding to the Bride
4. The Wedding to the Bride
The Bride of Christ.
The Bride of Christ.
For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Jesus left the Father, came to earth, gave His life on the cross, paying the ultimate price for the Bride.
Then He ascended to glory. He sent His HS on the Day of Pentecost and the church was officially inaugurated. He is at work today by His Holy Spirit and Word to build the church.
But one day, it will be over.
Just as a young man or woman eagerly, anxiously awaits the wedding day and it seems to take forever to come, so also it seems a long tedious heart aching wait for the coming of the groom. But it is coming.
Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me.
Let us not become weary in well-doing for we shall reap if we faint not.
He is not returning for any social club or charitable organization - Red Cross, Salvation Army.
He is returning for His church, His Bride.
We will inherit the New heaven and New earth.
The future of this universe is with the church.
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Luke
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thess. 4.
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Jesus is not returning to the world for Hollywood, the governments of the world, the rich and famous.
He is not returning for any social club or charitable organization - Red Cross, Salvation Army.
He is returning for His church, His Bride.
The Bible declares in Revelation:
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
Rev. 19
REv. 19.
Rev. 19.
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
English Standard Version Chapter 19
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
English Standard Version Chapter 19
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb
English Standard Version Chapter 19
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
This will be the greatest wedding reception the universe has ever witnessed.
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Rev. 19.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.
He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
Rev. 19.
There is some debate about exactly when the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur - during the Tribulation, after, during the Millennium.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
eph.5.
On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
I want to love what Jesus loved. I must love the church.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
Then He ascended to glory. He sent His HS on the Day of Pentecost and the church was officially inaugurated. He is at work today by His Holy Spirit and Word to build the church.
But one day, it will be over.
Just as a young man or woman eagerly, anxiously awaits the wedding day and it seems to take forever to come, so also it seems a long tedious heart aching wait for the coming of the groom. But it is coming.
Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me.
Let us not become weary in well-doing for we shall reap if we faint not.
The Bible declares in Revelation:
There is some debate about exactly when the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur - during the Tribulation, after, during the Millennium.
What we do know is:
He that findeth a wife findeth a good thing.
Jesus is returning on a white horse with the armies of heaven accompanying Him
He is returning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
He got Himself a good thing.
He will defeat Satan, the Antichrist and False Prophet, any and all who seek to oppose Him.
He will usher in a period of peace on the earth, first for 1000 years
Eph.5.
Then we will reign with Him for all eternity in a New Heaven and New Earth.
The future of this universe is with the church.
Conc.
Are you a child of God?
Have you surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ?
Are you a part of the church, His Bride that He is returning for?
Not everyone who attends church is a follower of Christ. Some are under the influence to come - parents, friends, relatives; may be seeking a partner in life
The church is not a place for righteous people. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance
The church is for sinners, the lost, the empty, the hopeless. The people who realize they need God.
The church is made of people who are at different stages of their spiritual maturity.
Although the church is not perfect, she is being perfected.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
Eph. 5.25-
For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What is the church?
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Key Truths:
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
Maybe you have been sitting on the fence for months or years. It is time for you to make a commitment to Christ and also His church. Join the family of God.
Key Truths:
The church is a FAMILY
A spiritual family
Outlast your physical family
God expects you to be a MEMBER of a church family.
A Christian without a church family is like a person who says "I want to play NFL football but I don't want to be a part of any team
Universal church vs local church. Word ‘church’ refers to universal church only 4x in Bible. Once you became a believer you are automatically a part of the universal church of God -- automatically, the moment you gave your life to Christ. But you don't become a part of a local church until you make that choice.
A Christian without a church family is AN ORPHAN.
Only in America do we have floating believers. Like a liver that moves from one body to next. It’ll shrivel up and die.
God is looking for men and women who will commit themselves to Him and His church.
...That I will commit myself to CHRIST and to the PWC CHURCH FAMILY.
2
...That I will commit myself to CHRIST and to the PWC CHURCH FAMILY.
What Makes Us A Family?
Four things unite us:
Four things unite us:
• Our Salvation (What God has done for us)
• Our Statements
Mission Statement (Why we exist as a church)
Doctrinal Statement (What we believe)
• Our Strategy (How we fulfill our purpose)
8
Our Strategy
Our Strategy
9
Paul: “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”
Who Are We Trying To Reach?
10
5 Circles of Commitment
11
📷
“Each one, reach one.”
Our objective is to keep moving people toward the center by encouraging personal spiritual commitments. Specifically, we call people to four basic commitments:
The Four Covenants:
The Four Covenants:
1. The Membership Covenant...
is a commitment to CHRIST_and ___THE CHURCH FAMILY
is a commitment to CHRIST_and ___THE CHURCH FAMILY
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
2. The Maturity Covenant...
is a commitment to the__HABITS________________________ necessary for spiritual growth.
is a commitment to the__HABITS________________________ necessary for spiritual growth.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
“Rather train yourself for godliness.”
3. The Ministry Covenant...
is a commitment to discovering and using my God-given gifts and abilities in ___SERVING_______________God and others.
is a commitment to discovering and using my God-given gifts and abilities in ___SERVING_______________God and others.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
“and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; …Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” ,
4. The Missions Covenant...
is a commitment to _______SHARING___________________________the Good News with others.
is a commitment to _______SHARING___________________________the Good News with others.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
“…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Why do we need these covenants?
We Become What We Are___COMMITTED TO________________________________
Our Structure
Our Structure
18
“For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace...
Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”,
How Our Church Is Structured
19
The structure of the church should not be determined by culture, business practices, or even denominational traditions.
The nature of the church determines its structure.
I. The Church Is A__ FELLOWSHIP __________________________________
20
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
What is fellowship? The best definition is "Two fellows on the same ship."
Fellowship is not just something the church is. It's something we do.
We are all different. When we talk about unity, we have unity because we're all saved by Jesus Christ.
A top priority in a fellowship is HARMONY and UNITY
“...eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”
ANY attitude that causes disunity is sin.
, , , , ,
, , , , , ,
, , , ,
,
Implication: A good structure promotes unity and downplays____ DIFFERENCES._____
“But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you”
“Voting” tends to CREATE DIVISION.
One side wins and the other loses. Soon you have a bunch of losers.
The Early Church did not vote on anything, for example when they were looking for a replacement for Judas. They cast lots.
The church is not a democracy; it is a theocracy.
The majority is often wrong. Paul was taken prisoner on the ship to Rome and he told them, "God's told me, even though I'm the prisoner, not to set sail. If you do, we're going to run into a storm." But the majority of the sailors thought it would be good anyway so they left. And the ship wrecked.
In the Old Testament the majority of the Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt and Moses said, "No, we've got to keep going. We've got to go to the Promised Land."
We only vote on:
• Annual budget and legal trustees
• Purchase of land or buildings
• Calling the senior pastor
· Changes in the church constitution
II. THE CHURCH IS A FAMILY
21
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
, ,
SO WE OPERATE ON THE BASIS OF RELATIONSHIP NOT RULES.
The greater the relationship, the fewer rules you need. The stronger the relationship you just trust people.
So in this church we don't have a policy manual. We trust people in this church. “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
“He (a pastor) must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
Do you vote in your family? It’s not wise to give everybody an equal vote in the church. To give an equal vote to somebody that's been a Christian fifty years and another guy who's been a Christian twenty years and another guy who's been a Christian one year and another guys who's been a Christian one day and say you all have an equal vote. That's silly. The Bible says we're to value those who have been Christians longer than us and who are spiritually mature. How do you know who the spiritually mature are in a church? Simple. Look at their character. Look at their walk with the Lord.
Notice the character that's required of the pastor. “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)”
It's interesting that it says the pastor is to manage the church like a father and husband is to manage the family. An un-managed family is an unloved family. And an un-managed church is an unloved church. It says a pastor must manage the church like fathers manage the home.
One of the qualifications for being a pastor it says he has to have a strong family life. Why is that? Not once in Scripture does it say that the pastor has to have a degree in business, know Greek and Hebrew, or have an earned doctor's degree. But it does say you have to have a strong family life. And you must have the skills to manage a family well because the church is a family, not a business. The same skills that I am to use with my family as husband and father, I am to use as the senior pastor of this church.
How do I manage my family? As a dictator? Blow a whistle and everybody comes running in my home? Command them and tell them to do this?
The Bible says that the husband is to be the spiritual leader of his home by laying down his life for his wife and children. It says, just as Christ laid down his life for the church that I am to give my life for my wife and my children. I am to put their needs ahead of my own, that I lead by serving them and by setting an example. That's what it means to be a leader. I'm to serve them and set an example and that's how I lead my family.
How do I lead this church? By serving them, putting your needs ahead of my own, sacrificing and setting an example.
III. The Church Is A BODY
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We are a body — not a business!
We are an organism — not an organization!
THEREFORE, WE FUNCTION ON THE BASIS OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS NOT ELECTED OFFICES.
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”
We serve at whatever we are good at.
Each member belongs to all the others.
In an organization, “maintenance” becomes the focus. But in an organism, “ministry” is the focus.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ”
Our Structure
• The people are the “Ministers_”.
• The pastors are the “Administers”.
IV. The Church Is A Flock.
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(Jesus’ favorite description of the church)
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Therefore, it is cared for and led by___________________________
“He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
Three different terms are used in the New Testament to refer to the same church leaders:
• “POIMEN” – Greek for pastor, shepherd. That means the feeders are the leaders -- the feeding aspect of ministry.
• PRESBUTEROS” – elder. “Presbuteros” means "elder" in Greek. "Presbyterian" comes from this. Presbyterians call their leaders elders. It refers to spiritual maturity.
• EPISCOPOS” -"Episcopos" is the word for "overseer" or "bishop". "Episcopalian" comes from this. "Epi" in Greek means "over". "Scopos" means "to see." Episcopos means "to oversee". Today, we call them a manager. Bishop means manager, supervisor, overseer, a manager. It refers to the managing aspects of church leadership.
“So I exhort the elders among you, …2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you”
“Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. …28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” ,