#1 THE ORIGIN AND THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH

CHURCH: Where did it come from and what for?

Eph. 1:3 - 14

Introduction:

            Coming to church has its benefit.  A John Hopkins University medical

            researcher has discovered what the “Presbyterian Ministers’ Life

            Insurance Fund” has known for more than two centuries, that is,

            attending the church is good for your health.  [It’s a good news for you,

            who are here this morning.]  If you attend the church more than once a

week, the risk of fatal heart diseases is reduced to half for church attenders, compared with non-church attenders according to a study made by Dr. George W. Comstock of the University’s Department of Epidemiology. 

            The doctors also observed that the “Clean Life” associated with regular

Church going appears to be statistically related to a lower incidence of other major diseases, adding that going to church is a very favorable input.

 (Paul Lee, Tan, Encyclopedia of 7,700 illustrations, Garland, Texas: Bible Communications, Inc.

1996, CD version). 

Aren’t you glad you are faithful church attenders?

            About three years ago (Dec. 1999), the Lord gave me an opportunity to go to Los Angeles, CA.  I planned to visit Rick Warren’s “Saddleback Valley Community Church” and then visit Dr. John MacArthur’s “Grace Community Church.”   Two totally different churches in their philosophies and approaches to doing the church.  Both of them gather over 10,000 people for their worship services.  One is based their philosophy on seeker sensitive service and the other simply preaching the Word of God.  I was struck with awe for the great work of God in both churches.  It was a great experience for me actually to see how those mega churches run.  Danger is that we compare those churches to our church and feel sorry for ourselves.  Does God bless small churches?  Of course He does.  I am not so sure that I can say, “growing church is a healthy church”  but I am sure I can say, “a healthy church will grow.”   

            Now before we talk about the growth of the church, we must understand what the church is.  I am sure we all have some kind of ideas about the Church.  If those ideas are different, it not only results in conflicts but hinders what God intends to do through the Church.  Some might think that the Church is to evangelize the world.  Some think that the Church is where Bible is taught.  Some might even think that the Church is where sweet fellowship is kept.  Some even think that the purpose of the Church is to get involved in social issues to be the salt and light of the world.  (By the way the Bible says, we are already salt and light, we don’t have to be the salt and the light).  Some think that the Church is all of the above.  Quite often, we tend to mix up all these views and confuse the understanding of the Church with our preferences.  Our preferences become our ideas of the Church.  What we would like to see in the Church becomes our idea of the Church.  What is the Church?  Where did it come from?  Where will it go?  What is the purpose of the Church?  What about the mission of the church?

            Many teachings and workshops are available on the subject.  Especially the subject on the “church growth.”  Many seminars and conferences were conducted by so call “mega-church Gurus.”  Now, nothing wrong in themselves.  They give us valuable perspectives and insights and I wish everyone could attend, but if we do not understand what the Church is, we would have a hard time understanding the purpose of the Church and the direction we should be going.  What is the Church?  What is the purpose of the Church?  Where did it come from?  In order to find out such Basic yet very Important questions, we must search out the Bible to find the Origin of the church: How did the church come into being, how did it establish in the modern world to fulfill its purpose and how are we doing with the original purpose? 

To know the origin is very important. 

            In 1859, Charles Darwin published his most famous writing of the century,  “On the Origin of the Species,” which shook the world to this day.  Though it is a theory, this book revolutionized the thinking of modern man that the man has a resting-place for his soul without taking into account the God of creations.  We have now a reason not to believe in God without being fearful of the destiny of our souls.  We (inoculate) anesthetize our conscience to the extent that we are not accountable to God who is the creator of our souls.  See when we misunderstand the origin of our souls we totally miss the purpose of it.  Though, this is a negative example, it is the most powerful example.  The gravity of knowing the origin of existence whether it is a Christian or non-Christian will clarify the purpose of its existence.  That is the identity.  It changes the course of our lives.  To know the origin is to know the purpose of its existence.   When we search out the origin of the Church, it brings the understanding on the purpose of its existence.  If the church discovered its identity which was given by God and empowered by God, we will be the most powerful force in the universe.  This morning I would like us to find out the origin of the Church which points to why the Church.  It will guide us to the purpose of its existence.  Then, we will come to find out the mission of the Church. 

            I would like to invite you to open your Bible to Ehpesians, chapter 1, verses 3 to 14.  The book of the Ephesians is the textbook for the Church.  Anyone who wants to study about the Church must study this Epistle.  As we unfold the chapter 1 of Ephesians, we are confronted with one of the most difficult doctrines of the centuries and fall into a dilemma.  It is the doctrine of “Predestination” (vss. 4,5,11).   Over the centuries many scholars and theologians grappled with this theme but I do not think anyone can say one way or the other for sure.  One thing I can say is that we are so engrossed in this “Predestination” debate, we miss the important theme this passage is teaching.  I wish I have a lot of time to deal with this difficult teaching but I would like us to see the origin of the Church behind the doctrine of the “predestination” this morning.  Once we see the origin of the Church then we will see the purpose and the mission of the Church which are inseparable and they are interdependent on each other. 

            In chapter one, in original, there is no period from verse 3 to verse 14.  It is one long sentence.  It is, therefore, a very difficult passage to study out (exegete).  Again we do not have enough time to study in detail but this section can be summarized into three sections and each section is represented by each member of the Trinity. 

            Let’s look at verses 3 to 6.  In verse 3, Paul expresses gratitude and blesses the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Reason?  Because God blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.  It is the blessing from the Father.  It is the spiritual one and the location is in the heavenly places.  It is also through Jesus Christ.  This is the summary of the following verses which are connected by a conjunction, “just as” in NASB and NKJV or “for” (because) in NIV.   In another word, verses 4 to 14 are the descriptions of this marvelous blessing that God the Father gave us in His Son.

            Now let’s look at verses 4 to 6.  They express the works of the Father: Father has chosen us (vs.4), Father has predestined us (vs.5).  Now, rather than hung up with this “Predestination,” let’s look at more important teaching of the passage.  Why did God predestine us?  What is the purpose?  

The purpose is “To the praise of the glory of His grace” (vs. 6).

            The verses 7 to 12 express the works of the Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: He redeemed us and we have redemption in Him.  This redemption was through His blood for the forgiveness of our sins according to the riches of His grace (vs. 7), He lavished us with His grace (vs. 8), and He made known to us the mystery of His will (vs.9).  Isn’t this great?   It just overwhelms my heart knowing my status before God.   He redeemed you and me with such immensity.  I am sure it warms your heart.  But again, what is the purpose? 

The purpose is, “We should be to the praise of His glory” (vs. 12). 

            The  verses 13 and 14 express the works of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit has sealed us (vs. 13) as a pledge of our inheritance (vs.14).  This takes place when we hear the Gospel and believe its truth.  The Purpose?  “To the praise of His glory” (vs. 14). 

            As we look closely, we notice each section closes with a common phrase “to the praise of His glories” (vss. 6,12,14, in verse 6: “to the praise of the glory of His grace but the idea is exactly the same).   Notice each member of the Trinity worked together for the one purpose, “to the praise of His glory.”  What does this tell us?  There was an absolute unity among the Trinity in carrying out the project of eternal salvation for us.  The Triune God worked together for the inception of His Church in that everything  done was for one purpose so that the glory of God the Father is magnified.  Since this epistle was written for the Church, though, this section describes the wealth of individual believer, I would like to conclude that it teaches us the glorious position of the Church in Christ Jesus. 

            Let’s go back and look at verse 4, it says, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.”   “We should be holy and blameless.”  This is another purpose of Him choosing us before the foundation of the world.  Therefore, I would like to say, taking a liberty, when the Church becomes holy and blameless, it becomes the praise of His glory.  What does it mean?

            The Triune God worked together with one purpose for His Church and revealed Himself in the Church to form the community among His people which also exists among and within the Triune God.   In other word, The Church is the community which reflects the unity of the Trinity.  You might ask where did I get that idea of community. Throughout this Epistle, we see the idea of community very clearly.  For instance, Paul says in 4:3, “being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”    When two or more people gathers together, it forms community.  When two or more people share the life, it is a community.  One person can not form a community let alone preserve the unity but two or more people can, because it is a community.  Thus Paul exhorts to keep the unity of the Spirit in the community  (4:3).  Moreover the “unity” indicates the plurality of the members which constitute the Church.   “In the bond of peace” indicates also there are diversity of shapes and sizes in the Church.  Thus the metaphor of the body.  Each member who is so different constitutes the body.  It is the community of God.  God called us to form this community which also exists among the member of the Trinity.  I firmly believe that the Trinity is the foundation of the community, the Church.   Do you remember Jesus said in John 17, verses 20 - 23?

            I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe

            in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as Thou,

            Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that

            the world may believe that Thou didst send Me.  And the glory which

            Thou has given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as

            We are one;  I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected

            in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst

            love them, even as Thou didst love Me (emphasis added).

God wanted to share this love relationship with us which exists between the member of the Trinity. 

The Church is the God’s Community where His beautiful harmony and unity are being expressed  in love.  We quoted Eph. 4:3 without giving too much thought on the “unity of the Spirit.”  What is the “unity of the Spirit”?  In chapter 4 : 2, Paul mentions some of the moral elements needed to accomplish this “preserving” of the unity.  They are; humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance.  A lot to do with human relationships.  Aren’t these the characters of God expressed in Gal. 2:20 as the fruit of the Spirit?  I do believe that this “unity of the Spirit” is the unity which comes from the empowering work of God in the hearts of believers.  The Church is the extension of God who exercises the wholesome relationship within the each member of the Trinity.  (Paul describes this unity in practical way in Eph. 4 verses 1 to 6 which we shall look at in the 4th sermon).

            Where did the church come from?  It came from the heart of God and that it conceptualized before the foundation of the world (vs.4).   Doesn’t it burgle your mind?  This heavenly bliss of love relationship was given to us as a spiritual blessing for us in Christ.   Only the Church of God, the Church of the Trinity, can claim this magnificent and outstanding blessing. Thus, it is “every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ” yet at the same time it is here on this earth.  Only the Church can have this heavenly love relationship.  What binds in the heavenlies among the member of the Trinity, namely the perfect unity and love can be ours here on this earth.  What may be the final longing, namely the heavenly blessings, is for us who live on this earth.  We can partake it here on this earth.  

We can experience this heavenly bliss of communion with God and with each other here on this earth through God’s community.  When we truly experience and enjoy this communion, we become the praise of the glory of His grace.   No wonder Paul exclaims in verses 18, 19 which say,

            I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that

            you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the

            riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what

            is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

            These are in accordance with the working of the strength of

            His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised

            Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the

            heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power

            and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this

            age, but also in the one to come.  And He put all things in

            subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things

            to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills

            all in all.

What is the purpose of the Church?  The purpose of the Church is to be the praise of the glory of His grace.   How can we be the praise of the glory of His grace?  When the Church becomes the community of God to be blameless and holy which was demonstrated in Trinity. 

            The Alamo was the site of the most heroic episode of the Texan

            War of independence against Mexico.  On Feb. 23, 1836, a

Mexican force of about 4000 men commanded by Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, general and later president of Mexico, reached the

outskirts of San Antonio, which had been captured by Texan the

previous December. The fort, which was defended by 155 men,

reinforced by 32 men on March 1 withstood Mexicans until March 6. 

Of the 187 Texan defender of Alamo, only 6 survived the siege,

and Gen. Santa Anna ordered  them all killed.  At the subsequent

Battle of San Jacinto, in which Santa Anna was defeated, the battle

cry of the Texans was “Remember the Alamo!” 

(Funk & Wagnall’s New Encyclopedia vol. 1, p. 312)

On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio,

            Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription:

            “James Butler Bonham – no picture of him exists.  This portrait is

            Of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly

            Resembled his uncle.  It is placed of the man who died for freedom.”

            (Illustration for Preaching and Teaching,  Baker p. 261)

See nobody took a picture of God to hang in the earth’s gallery but God hang the Church in this world to show the world who He is.   Let us remind ourselves that we are here to reflect the unity and love which exist among the each member of the Trinity.  Let us meditate on the glorious works of the Trinity.  Let us drench ourselves with His blessing that we may splash that blessing within and without of God’s community.   Amen.

            Next week, Lord willing, we will look at the consummation of the Church, how “the praise of the glory of His grace,” materializes at the end.