The Ekklesia of Jesus Part 1

Do you guys remember the old western movie scenes, where the one guy is inside of a building and another guy who is outside and wants to fight him, yells inside and says something like, “I’m callin’ you out”?

Well what does that statement mean, “I’m calling you out”?

It’s an action statement, right? I mean, when the one person calls out the other and the called out person answers that call, it is understood from all parties involved, that this is an action statement and that something is getting ready to go down!

By answering the call, the person going outside understands that they are being expected to do something and the person who called them out and everyone else watching, expects that something is getting ready to happen, right?

Well, this past Wednesday evening, I talked about a situation within the Bible, where there was a “calling out”, that took place.

As a matter of fact, it was the Lord Jesus, Himself, who actually did the “calling out”.

I’m not going back into all of the background detail as to the “whys” and “hows” of what I mentioned in that message, but I am going to further the thought this morning of the “calling out” that took place and what it was and why Jesus did it.

So this morning and possibly over the next week or two, we are going to be looking at a term, a word that is used, some 115 times within the New Testament and yet it is a word that you never really read or hear, or ever give any thought to.

It’s one of those things that we have just been taught and programmed to respond to within the “church” setting.

This morning, I want to begin talking with you about the “EKKLESIA” of the New Testament.

If you were here this past Wednesday evening you will remember that I talked in greater detail about the background of this word and of how it came to be known as the “CHURCH” that we recognize all over the world today.

I have mentioned in other teachings in the past, that EKKLESIA is the Greek word from which we derive our name, the “CHURCH”.

And without going back into it again, I just want to reiterate, that just because you have been told something of the Bible and that it is factual, DON’T JUST TAKE SOMEONE’S WORD FOR IT!

Read the Bible for yourself and let Holy Spirit speak to you about the living, breathing Word of God!

As I am speaking about this word today and possibly in the coming weeks and teaching about it, my intention and what I feel that I am being lead to do, is give some greater clarity as to why JESUS, used this word and what all was entailed by declaring it!

So, before I get ahead of myself, let’s turn to the passage in the Bible, that I pulled from Wednesday evening and read it together and then go from there, OK?

If you have your Bibles, turn with me please to the gospel of ,

Matthew 16:13–19 ESV

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

So, in this passage, we see the very first and in fact, first of the only two times within all four gospels, that the EKKLESIA is ever mentioned.

In verse 18, Jesus says, “ And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my EKKLESIA, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

So, EKKLESIA is the Greek word that Jesus used here to denote those who His followers were and who and what they would truly become. The word that we use today for this, is the English word “church”, as most Bibles have it translated!

Suffice it to say, that these two words are not the same thing.

As I mentioned before, the way that we derive the word “church” and the root from which some say that it comes, does not even remotely compute.

Some say that the word “church”, originally comes from the Greek word, kyrios, or kuriakos, which means, “belonging to the Lord; related to the Lord”.

Kuriakos is used ONLY twice in the NT, , where it speaks of the “Lord’s Supper”and then again in , where it is used as the “Lord’s Day”.

In NEITHER use, does it ever even remotely have the connotation, or implication of the EKKLESIA/CHURCH!

So, the Greek word, EKKLESIA, does not relate to, or lead to the Greek word, KURIAKOS.

As to how the word “church” became the English word used and the gold standard word for what Jesus said of EKKLESIA, this is an entirely different teaching and is something that I went into a little more detail about Wednesday evening.

For today however and for the next couple of lessons, I am going to looking at what is the EKKLESIA and why did Jesus use this word and what all is entailed to be a part of Jesus’ EKKLESIA!

Please understand this, for clarity's sake, whenever you change or substitute one word for another, it can have a dramatic effect.

For instance, if I am working on something in the house and text my wife and ask her to buy me and bring me a Phillips-Head screw driver and she texts me back to confirm my message, but changes the tool name to a wrench, although this pertains to a tool, it is NOT the same thing and it will not end with the same result!

Does everyone understand that?

Like I mentioned the other night, everything, every WORD that Jesus spoke and used, was for a very specific reason and they have a very specific meaning. If you or I take the liberty to change the words, for whatever reason and to fit our own agenda’s, then the outcome is man-made message and not God inspired and thus it loses its power and authority.

Within the Word of God, we see this same concept being stressed by the Lord, Himself.

,

2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.

Deuteronomy 4:2 ESV

2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.

,

Deuteronomy 12:32 ESV

32 “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.

,

Revelation 22:18–19 ESV

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

The Lord is very clear, in stating that we are never to alter or change His words and His commands.

It is one thing to paraphrase a passage to someone, and yet capture the exact same meaning of that passage. (i.e. - I can say to someone, that God loves you so much, that He sent His only Son to die for your sins and that if you believe in Him, then you will not perish, but you will in fact live spiritually forever!) Most of you know the passage that I am paraphrasing and yet I have not changed the meaning of that passage in doing so.

However, if I change a word or phrase in the Bible to something totally different and it alters the meaning, then I am wrong and will face judgement for doing so.

Look here, scriptures clearly tell us that Jesus is the “Son of God”. If I change this phrase/title, “to the son of a god”, does it have the same meaning?

Or how about this? Hebrews tell us, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”

The Greek word for blood here is “haima” (hah'-ee-ma). If I change the word to the Greek word, “ptysma”, which is saliva, have I changed the meaning of the passage?

I could argue that they both belong to, or pertain to the Lord, as the scriptures clearly show Him using both and that one is just a translation for a bodily fluid in the Greek to another.

However, this dramatically changes the meaning and outcome of the passage.

So, also does changing EKKLESIA to the Greek word KURIAKOS and from there to the English word, CHURCH.

This is not a legalistic thing that I am talking about. I am not being dogmatic here and saying, “We must call ourselves the EKKLESIA!”

What I am saying is that there is a definitive reason that Jesus chose this word to describe His body of believers, just as there is a definitive reason why man eventually chose to change it to a different name.

I will leave it there, as

Jesus called us, exactly what He intended and for the purpose in which His Father intended. He could have chose to just use the name SYNAGOGUE for His body.

This would have made perfect sense to us, as this was a common place of gathering for God’s people at that time. What better way to link the new gathering of His people, than with what was already taking place and in the BUILDING that it was taking place within?!

Understand this, Jesus wasn’t setting out to build another BUILDING in the city. Jesus was not recruiting church builders, because Jesus is the church! He called it His EKKLESIA and He built it!

This is what man has done with the concept of the church and its buildings, as far as everything being focused the natural, physical aspect. Jesus and His Father, were in the process of creating a living, breathing and functioning body of people, His children, who would be unique and special!

So, why did Jesus say, EKKLESIA and what does this entail for every believer?

The meaning of the Greek word EKKLESIA is, “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly; that is, a called-out assembly or congregation.”

Now please understand this. This word that Jesus used to represent His body of disciples, was a very common and easily understood word of that day and time.

If you lived in that region, some 2,000 years ago and you spoke or understood Koine Greek dialect, then you would have instantly knew what an EKKLESIA was and what Jesus was talking about.

It was a called out assembly of people. A group of like minded people who were called out to assemble, to congregate and often times to make legal or pressing decisions.

,

Mark 3:13 ESV

13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him.

,

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV

9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

,

1 Corinthians 1:26 ESV

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

,

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

,

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

God, throughout the scriptures, has always been CALLING out His chosen to answer and serve Him.

For instance, God called out Abraham out of the pagan nation, He then called Jacob out to become a great nation, God called out Moses from being a shepherd to being a leader, God called out Israel from being slaves to Egypt, to becoming His nation. God called out the prophets to minister to His nation Israel, just as God called out the Judges of the nation of Israel to deliver His people.

God called out His own son and required a ransom payment be made by Him and from Him for us. And since Jesus answered the call of His Father, He has been calling out His people ever since!

The very meaning of the word EKKLESIA, gives us a reason that Jesus chose this term to be used for His body of believers; because we are called out.

Listen to a few passages that describe the believer.

Let me read to you what the Bible says about us, as His children, as His followers, as disciples of Jesus.

,

Mark 3:13 ESV

13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him.

,

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV

9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

,

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

,

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

When we hear and heed and answer the calling of Jesus, by His Holy Spirit and give ourselves completely to Him, we are at that moment, being called out from this world!

The understanding of the believer’s life is, “we are in the world, but not of the world.”

Jesus said that “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you (called you) out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

Amplified Bible Chapter 17

14 I have given and delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of the world.

15 I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one.

16 They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world.

In His priestly prayer to His Father in Jesus says, “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

15 I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one.

In we read of God saying this to us,

16 They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world.

2 Corinthians 6:16–17 NLT

16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.

2 Corinthians 6:17 NLT

17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.

So, does coming out of the world and separating ourselves to Christ mean that we are to build some resort on a remote tropical island paradise somewhere? (YES, YES IT DOES!)

This call to come out from the world and to separate ourselves from among unbelievers has been taken to the extremes in so many ways.

Seriously though, many people have removed themselves from being visible to the world and tried to stay tucked quietly away until they either die, or until Jesus comes back to taken them out of here.

This is why there exists people dwelling within monasteries, who have removed themselves from living in or around others in the world and are living complete ascetic lifestyles.

And I not referring to the monks in the monasteries, up in the mountainous areas. I am talking about the “church” as it exists in the world today!

The calling of God on our lives to COME OUT is a spiritual calling that demands we leave the sinful life and the sinful desires of our past.

Far too many Christians have removed themselves from being seen or heard in this world and tried to just EXIST and hang on until He comes back.

We spiritually separate ourselves from the world and its system and yet we are physically living in the world so we can be that which Jesus CALLED US OUT TO BECOME!

THIS IS NOT WHAT HE CALLED THE EKKLESIA TO BECOME!

The “church” as man made it out to be, became too content with developing its multi-million dollar buildings, making sure that comfort and plush amenities abounded so that when people came in, they would say, “WOW, this is where I want to go to church”!

It has focused on internal satisfaction and making sure that their are interest groups for everyone who comes in and plenty of weekend getaways for fun.

And all the while, the church became removed from the world that was going on around it. We became silent and for far too long!

Jesus never intended for us His body to removed

This is why we must return to the roots of what Jesus CALLED US OUT TO TRULY BE!

In writing to the Body of Christ at Ephesus, this is what Paul said, “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you LIGHT.”

“Awake, O sleeper,

Unity in the Body

John’s gospel says this, “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought LIGHT to everyone. The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

rise up from the dead,

and his life brought light to everyone.

John 1:4–5 NLT

4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

5 The light shines in the darkness,

Jesus said, “You are the LIGHT of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives LIGHT to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

and Christ will give you light.”

This is largely what Jesus meant by the EKKLESIA. We have been called out of the darkness of sin and corruption and into glorious LIGHT of Jesus, Himself!

and the darkness can never extinguish it.

And as the CALLED OUT ones, those who assemble in His name, we are not to be a light tucked away safely in our homes and inside of these man-made walls.

When we assemble in His name, we represent the authority of heaven and God Himself! And when we are united and moving in that authority, then the glorious presence of the LIGHT of the WORLD shows up amongst us! The LIGHT which shines and the darkness can never extinguish!

Jesus said, “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

When we assemble together in His name in agreement (UNITY), then He is there with us!

We are called out of the darkness to be the LIGHT BEARERS of Jesus!

Does "Lumens" is a measure of how much light a lamp produces in all directions.

What happens when you light one small candle in the darkness? It gives off light, right.

What happens when that candle lights 5 other candles

Well, what happens if you take that candle and light 5 other candles? Even though each individual candle is only capable of producing a certain amount of light, when you begin to bring more and more candles together, the light grows and intensifies and the darkness has no where to go, but vanish!

THIS IS WHAT THE EKKLESIA WAS CALLED TO BE!

An assembly, or congregating of the light bearers of Jesus, who come together in unity to worship their Lord and glorify Him and His name and to shine as ONE light into the darkness of wherever they assemble at, so that the darkness can not hide any longer and MUST flee! (READ ACTS 2:41-47)

TURN TO YOUR NEIGHBOR AND SAY, “YOU ARE ONE GOOD LOOKING LIGHT!”

We are the light which is called together to be the power and authority of heaven on earth!

When we spiritually flex our muscle, as one body, the earth should move and shake and the gates of the kingdom of darkness should rattle loudly in fear because of it!

Look at what happens when the EKKLESIA is operating in its authority and power, as seen in , where Paul and Silas are in Thessalonica spreading the gospel message. (a.k.a. shining the light!)

Here, Paul and Silas

Verses 4-5 says, “Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women. But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot.”

Then the mob went before the city government with this complaint against Paul and Silas, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also!”

Did you catch that, “these men who have turned the world upside down have come here also”!

People, when the body of Christ, the EKKLESIA, unites and moves as one, the foundations of the kingdom of darkness begin to quake!

We should be LITERALLY, turning our world upside down!

Paul and Silas were not out

Ask yourself that question.....”Am I turning the world around me upside down for Christ?”

We were not called to be armchair quarterbacks, behind the scene generals. We were called to the light-bearers, the front line soldiers of kingdom of God. WE ARE THE CALLED OUT ONES of HEAVEN!

That is what the EKKLESIA is and what it was meant to be. The light bringers, the truth bearers, the EARTH SHAKERS!

Not the pew sitters, the gossip bearers and the plate pushers!

There is nothing wrong with having our buildings to meet within, that is not the issue.

As one author said, “The buildings aren’t the real issue. It’s the idea of “attending church” with its rather predictable agenda and as part of the non-interactive audience that sucked the life out of the Body.”

We don’t assemble together here in this building to entertain one another and punch your ticket for proof that you did something spiritual for the week!

We come in here to call down and declare heaven on earth! We assemble as the light bearers to recharge and build up one another so that when we depart, we are stronger than before we came together!

Are we going to mess up during the week and need encouragement and need hearing the Word spoke over us to help build us back up? MOST DEFINITELY!

It was Watchman Knee, a famous Christian writer and teacher in communist China in the early 1900’s, who once told of a new convert who came to see him in deep distress. "No matter how much I pray, no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot seem to be faithful to my Lord. I think I’m losing my salvation." Nee said, "Do you see this dog here? He is my dog. He is house-trained; he never makes a mess; he is obedient; he is a pure delight to me. Out in the kitchen I have a son, a baby son. He makes a mess, he throws his food around, he fouls his clothes, he is a total mess. But who is going to inherit my kingdom? Not my dog; my son is my heir. And you are Jesus Christ’s heir because it is for you that He died." We are Christ’s heirs, not through our perfection but by means of His grace.

Yes, as I said at the beginning, being “called out”, has a definitive action step involved with it.

And when you and I answer that call and come out from the darkness and into the glorious LIGHT of Jesus, we are accepting the call and we are saying “YES” to becoming a part of the EKKLESIA of Jesus!

You are saying, “Yes, I want to be a light bearer for you Jesus!”

Jesus will not accept excuses of, “I didn’t know that you expected this of me” when you stand before Him, because it is in His word.

And trying to say, “Well, I was raised this way and taught that “church” meant this or that”, will not float either, because the Bible is the one that gives the ground rules and guidelines, not men and their committees!

Where do you stand today? Are you a member of the EKKLESIA and a light bearer, an earth shaker, or are you content to be a pew sitter and light hoarder?