Everyday Theology | Part 7
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Today, in our study on Everyday Theology, we will be study the church. The field of study surrounding the church is called Ecclesiology. This word comes from two Greek words - ekklesia (Gathering, Assembly, Called Out) and logos (Words, study of). therefore, Ecclesiology is literally the study of the the called our assembly.
So, as we study the church today, I want to answer three questions that you will find on the handout that you received earlier or can find on our FB page. They are...
What is the church supposed to be?
What is the church supposed to look like?
What is the church supposed to do?
What is the church supposed to be?
What is the church supposed to be?
(1) The church is an ekklesia.
(1) The church is an ekklesia.
The Greek word ekklesia is the primary word used in the NT to refer to the church. As a matter of fact, the word is used 114 times in the NT. Originally this term was used to describe any gathering or assembly of people - secular or sacred. However, as the church began to grow this term became attached to the church as it means “to call or assemble.” This definition fits the church well. The church is just that the people who are called out of the world to live in line with God’s commands.
“Ekklesia” refers to the both the UNIVERSAL church and the LOCAL church.
The universal church is what is often referred to as the BIG “C” church, which is everyone who has called upon the name of Jesus for salvation. The local church is what is referred to as the little “c” church.
In the universal church, the emphasis is on the UNITY of the church.
In the local church, the the emphasis is on the MINISTRY of the church.
(2) The church is a koinonia.
(2) The church is a koinonia.
Another important Greek word that relates to the church is the word koinonia. This word is difficult to translate into english, but it carries the idea of “communion, fellowship, sharing and participation.” It is used to describe the life of the ekklesia.
Koinonia is more than a church fellowship, a potluck dinner, getting along or church friendships.
Koinonia is the oneness that is possible only through God’s supernatural power.
Koinonia is characterized by...
Light (1 John 1:6-7)
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Unity (Philippians 2:1-2)
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Note: Unity is not uniformity.
Acceptance (Philemon 1:17)
So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.
Sharing of Material Goods (Acts 2:44-45)
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Giving Money (2 Corinthians 8:4)
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
Suffering (Philippians 3:8-10)
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 10:16)
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
What is the church supposed to look like?
What is the church supposed to look like?
(1) The body of Christ.
(1) The body of Christ.
When the Bible describes the church as the body of Christ, there are two things that are highlighted.
The UNITY of the body. (Ephesians 2:15)
by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
The DIVERSITY of the body. (2 Corinthians 12:14-17)
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?
Since we are a body, this means that we need to embrace our diversity and work together to accomplish the mission. Remember, the mission is greater than our plans and preferences.
(2) The flock of God.
(2) The flock of God.
When we think about the church a flock there are two realities that come to min.
We are the sheep. (John 10:26-29)
but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
Jesus is the shepherd. (John 10:11)
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Since, we are the sheep we need to follow the leadership of the shepherd - Jesus - and the under-shepherds that he provides for our church family. Providing that we are obeying His Word.
(3) The family of God.
(3) The family of God.
There are a couple images that we need to keep in mind we we understand the church as God’s family.
We are all adopted into God’s family.
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
We are supposed to treat one another as family. (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
Since we are all adopted into God’s family, no one has seniority over one another. We have all been brought into the family of God by the grace and mercy of God. Therefore, we need to treat one another as equal members of the family of God.
(4) The building of God.
(4) The building of God.
We think about the church as the building of God, the backdrop of this idea is the temple in OT. It the OT God indwelt the temple. In the church age, we see that the Lord indwells believers and is putting together the members of the church as a building for His glory.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Since we are the building of God, we need to prepare our hearts for worship and rely upon one another. Just as one brick relies upon the next for its strength so it is with the people of God.
(5) The bride of Christ.
(5) The bride of Christ.
Paul summarizes this relationship in Ephesians 5:25-26.
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,
Since we are the bride of the Lord Jesus, we need to be like the five wise virgins that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 25. We need to be ready for the return of our bridegroom - Jesus. He’s coming to gather us. The question is will we be found faithful or unfaithful.
What is the church supposed to do?
What is the church supposed to do?
(1) Meet God.
(1) Meet God.
We meet God by worshipping Him publicly and privately.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Worship must first be private in our homes, but also in the gathered assembly saints or ekklesia.
(2) Meet Friends.
(2) Meet Friends.
We meet friends for the purpose of fellowship and discipleship.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Illus.: Talk about how the season we are in and have gone through have revealed the importance of biblical community. You can get all the sermons and songs on a website. You can chat online. However, there is something missing when we aren’t face to face.
(3) Meet Needs.
(3) Meet Needs.
We meet needs as we share the Gospel and serve others.
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Questions for Consideration
Questions for Consideration
How do you handle it when you disagree strongly on some issue (political, for instance) with a Christian brother or sister?
Look back at the seven characteristics of koinonia fellowship. Which of these is the most important to you personally?
The church is the family of God: how does this help you to picture your responsibilities toward other believers?
