Purpose and mission of church

God’s purposes for the church

To praise God

1 Peter 2:9 KJV 1900

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

See also Eph 1:5–6; Eph 1:11–12; Eph 1:14; Heb 13:15; 1 Pe 2:5

To share God’s glory

Romans 8:29–30 KJV 1900

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

See also Mt 13:43; Jn 17:24; Ro 9:23; 1 Co 2:7; Php 3:21; Col 3:4; 2 Th 2:14; Re 2:26–27; Re 3:4–5; Re 3:21

God will build his church

Matthew 16:18–19 KJV 1900

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

See also Mt 27:40; Jn 2:19–22; 1 Co 3:9; Eph 2:21–22; Eph 4:11–13; Heb 3:3–6; 1 Pe 2:5

To challenge Satan’s dominion

Eph 3:10–11 “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” refers to the powers of evil.

See also Mt 16:18; Eph 6:12; 1 Jn 2:14

To go into the world in mission

2 Corinthians 5:18 KJV 1900

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

See also Mt 5:13–16; Mt 28:19–20; Mk 16:15; Lk 24:48; Jn 20:21; Ac 1:8; Php 2:15–16; Col 1:27

The church’s mission

To preach the gospel to the world

Mark 13:10 KJV 1900

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

See also Mt 28:19; Lk 24:47; Jn 10:16; Ac 13:47

To do good to all

Galatians 6:10 KJV 1900

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

See also Mt 25:37–40; Lk 6:35; Ac 9:36; Eph 2:10; 1 Ti 6:18; Jas 1:27; 1 Pe 2:12

Images of the church’s mission

Mt 5:13–16; Jn 15:5–8

A fruitful plant in a fruitless world:

Mt 7:18–19; Ro 7:4; Eph 5:9–10; Php 1:11; Col 1:6; Col 1:10; Jas 3:17

Salt in an insipid world:

Mk 9:50; Lk 14:34–35

Light in a dark world:

Ro 13:12–14; Eph 5:8; Php 2:15; 1 Th 5:5–6

The growth of the church

Numerical growth among the first Christians

Acts 11:21 KJV 1900

And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

See also Ac 2:41; Ac 2:47; Ac 4:4; Ac 5:14; Ac 6:1; Ac 6:7; Ac 9:31; Ac 9:42; Ac 11:24; Ac 12:24; Ac 13:49; Ac 16:5; Ac 17:4; Ac 18:8; Ac 19:20

The church is to grow to maturity

Ephesians 4:12–13 KJV 1900

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

See also Php 1:6; Php 3:13–15; 2 Th 1:3

Aspects of growth

Growth in character:

2 Co 9:10; 1 Th 3:12

Growth into Christ:

Eph 4:15; Col 1:10; 2 Pe 3:18

Heb 6:1 growth in understanding

Prayers for the growth of the church

Ephesians 3:14–19 KJV 1900

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

See also Eph 1:17–19; Php 1:9–11; Col 1:9–12; 1 Th 3:11–13; 2 Th 1:11–12

Visions of the church’s final destiny

Re 7:9–10 John’s vision of the church in glory.

See also Mt 24:31; Jn 10:16; Eph 1:10; 1 Th 4:16–17; Heb 12:22–23; Re 21:2