THE CHURCH AND YOU

Ephesians 5:25–27 NKJV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH

The Church is The Body of Christ

Colossians 1:18 NKJV

18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

In all things Jesus must have the preeminence - This is the first priority of the Church as we fulfill our mission

The church has a fourfold ministry.

Meeting the spiritual needs of people. Man is in sin and must be born again—John 3:3.

After this experience, he must live for God in his daily life (John 15).

this is called sanctification

This is accomplished through evangelism and discipleship

both of these are the ministry of the church and do not happen automatically

Meeting man’s physical needs. Healing for the body—Isa. 53:5.

If we are not healed, strength is provided to bear it (2 Cor. 12:7–10)

protection from sickness - Psa. 91

Meeting man’s mental needs. Having the peace of God (Isa. 26:3). Having a peaceful mind (Phil. 4:7).

Think on Godly things - Phil. 4:8

Renew your mind (Rom. 12:1-2

Meeting man’s material needs.

God wants to meet all of man’s needs (Phil. 4:19;

He does not want us to live in worry and doubt - and He will provide Matt. 6:25–34).

The church should help people meet needs - (James 2:15-19)

The Church should help people learn the faith principles of sowing and reaping - to meet the material needs

When a church ceases to meet these needs of man, it ceases to be a church and is not pleasing to God.

THE PLAN OF THE CHURCH

The main plan of God for the church is to evangelize the world.

We must reach people with the gospel.

This was Jesus’ last sermon on earth (Mark 16:15).

We must preach to all the world. The word preach means give the good news of salvation. See Romans 10:14.

We must teach all the people about Jesus. Jesus told us to teach all people (Matt. 28:19, 20).

This really means to “make disciples” of all people.

This should happen at the church meeting, and outside of the church meetings

we learn how to evangelize at church, in order to be the church

When a church is not winning souls, it is not fulfilling the command of the Lord.

THE POWER OF THE CHURCH

The church is the most powerful force against sin and moral decay.

It is the brightest hope for the betterment of the community and the world.

Satan cannot destroy the church—Matt. 16:18.

Satan may hinder the church, but he cannot destroy it.

Sin cannot destroy the church—Rom. 5:20.

The greater the sin, the greater God’s power.

Satanic forces cannot destroy the church. Man has tried with organizations, but they have failed.

THE PEOPLE OF THE CHURCH

The people must cooperate—Judg. 7:21. (Gideon -)

John 17:22–23 NKJV

22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

The people must congregate—Heb. 10:25.

Hebrews 10:25 NKJV

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

church means to assemble together - not online - not watch a sermon, as in entertainment.

You area an active participant in church

How much people miss when they come wandering in 1/2 way through the service and bolt out at the altar call.

The people must contribute—1 Cor. 16:2.

Sowing and reaping - he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully

Give and it shall be given

through giving, our faith grows

The people must consecrate—

1 Peter 4:17–18 NKJV

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”