Does The Church even Matter?

Introduction

Good Morning, the past few weeks we have been exploring a few, I dare say important questions. These questions are really at the foundation of our faith and will determine the trajectory of our Journey. These questions may be simple in theory but as you have found out by now they are not easy . Questions like who is Jesus? Do I believe in Heaven? do I truly believe in Hell? Should be easy to answer however the true answer to these questions have huge impact on how we live our lives. This is the difference from head knowledge and heart knowledge. Saying I believe in something is different than truly living it out. The world that hates God and Jesus would have you question your beliefs or at the very least soften your position. “Oh Jesus was a good teacher but there are lots of other ways to heaven”, “Heaven, oh if we are good enough we well all go to heaven”, “Hell that not real it is just metaphorical, a story made up just to scare people” These lies are from the heart of satan. They are meant to have you question the foundational belief of Christianity that is presented in the Bible? Why you may ask…To keep you from God, but why That is satans’s plan. And so many people buy into these lies. The consequences are eternal. use logic for a moment, If the enemies of God can get you to question the foundational beliefs of the scriptures then they win, a battle not the war of course. If they can get you to question who Jesus is, the truth about Heaven (our Joy and reward), and the truth about hell, they will get you to cheapen the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice. You must guard the truth that has been taught and continue to teach the truth, if you do not than what Jesus did for you on the cross was in vain, at least for you. When you choose to follow after what the world teaches rather than what the Bible teaches then Christianity is just a concept to you rather than reality, and that will fail you and your family in the end. You are no better, not anymore knowledgeable, and just as blind as Eve was when the devil asked here “did God really say...”

So thinking on this what is the next of the dangerous question we need to ask, it is “Does the Church even matter?” if the demons can get you to question who Jesus is, the facts of heaven, and the realities of hell, the next logical attack would be against the church, the assembly of like minded believers for the purpose of Glorifying God, worshipping together, and equipping each other. i mean think about it the enemies of God, telling God’s people there really is no need for the church, there is no urgency no commitment really needed,. what a brilliant strategy. To make the people who call themselves Christians no really see the need for Church. Let’s tell them its not that important… When you believe that lie they win and you lose. Or when they can convince us that the church's mission exists to make Christians happy and content. The church is made up of people but is not about people per-say. Church is not about your music preferences, or how long you think the preacher to preach, its not meant for nap time, its not meant for your comfort and entertainment. The church is about God, Him and His glory, and we find our greatest purpose in life when we surrender our wants to God’s.

Our text today is taken out of the Book of Acts… Chapter 2:42-47

After the great revival that took place on the day of Pentecost it is said that the Church as we know began. I personally believes that it began sooner when Jesus commanded the Apostels to stay in Jerusalem. That started the model that will be followed and Pentecost and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit empowered the church to fulfill the Great commission. The number of Believers in Jesus Christ Grew exponentially and Luke records how the church functioned. No where in the New Testament does Christianity become a “privatized” religion. It was not something that was meant to cater to you or to me. You see with a privatized religion comes with a lot of things, With that vein of thought I really don’t see a need for the “church” or really individuals of a church i mean they may meet my wants and desires and once they cease doing that then I just move on. the privatized religions says if the church don’t meet my needs, my music requirements, my color preferences, my time constraints, if it interferes with my hobbies, or my pocketbook, or my sleep time, then I will just go and find that perfect church. Which is funny because one does not exists and then what is created is a church hopper, or at the very least a nominal church attender who really doesn't participate in the church life, and church becomes just something to do On every other Sunday. Notice how many times that I mentioned “My” church is not about me or my wants about God. You did not choose a church, God chose a church for you.

Let’s take a moment to understand what the church is...

The “Church” is the world wide collective of believers in Jesus Christ - The Church is every believer included those in Malone, Brushton, Alabama, China, wherever we may roam, we are the Church

The church that we mostly speak of the the Local assembly of Believers, that are called together by God, to worship God, to fellowship, to learn, to bear one another’s burdens, to evangelize our community, to coordinate missional work in other places to participate in evangelism around the world, to serve one another, and be incarnational (be like Jesus to the community we are in).

The Greek word for church is the word Ekklesia - Literary means “A gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place for an assembly, that is what we do. We gather with like-minded people who share the same beliefs or agree to share the same beliefs. One thing that Ekklesia the word focuses on is the aspect of being “called out”. If you are here than you have been called out. you may not realize it or understand it but you are here in this Local assembly Shiloh because God willed it. Do not take that lightly.

The church is a family. That has huge implications. For years many of you have been integrated into my life and my families life, and I into yours. How many times have you thought about leaving your family? some have how does that turn out? You may leave your family but you can never think that relationship will ever be they way it once was. If we are a family than we are to act like a family should act. If you leave for selfish reasons dont expect to recover those relationships, however some leave because God wills it. For example We had to leave NY and move to MS, that was a good reason because God i was still part of my family, however we have had people “leave” or disown the family and that relationship is not what it was.

In our text Luke describes the Church as this way

They are believers in Jesus who are Devoted to Christ and to Each other - vs 42 tells us they were devoted. Now this is a description that is given makes the church look like a bunch of fanatics. I mean its ok these days to be devoted to politics, sports, certain social lifestyles, we can be devoted to work, our pet hobby, or our favorite social agenda, but once we become devoted to Jesus we become fanatics, or extremist. See the double standard? But the true church were devoted, committed to Jesus and each other. What were they devoted too?

A. To the Apostle’s teachings - The model for teaching and preaching dates back to the old testament. Reading of scriptures and then teaching what the scriptures say. Ezra 8:1-3 “These are the heads of their fathers’ houses, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylonia, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king: Of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom. Of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel. Of the sons of David, Hattush. Of the sons of Shecaniah, who was of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah, with whom were registered 150 men.” So what were they teaching and why, They were teaching what Jesus taught them, so each one could grow in their faith.

2 Tim2:2 “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

B. To Fellowship - this is the Greek word koinonia, which means community, intimacy, partnership. They became a family they enjoyed time together. They would find enjoyment in each others presence and didn’t become a burden to each other. They truly saw this not as another activity to do at church they did life together. In fact they didn’t say oh we are going to church so we can fellowship no they did this as a full time activity. 1 Thess 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Heb 10:25 “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Ecc 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

C. To the Lord’s Supper - the term breaking of bread often times refers to the celebration of communion, the service of the Lord’s supper. It was away to include everyone in the celebration of Jesus death on the cross, and out of obedience they did it often.

Acts 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.” 1 Cor 11:24-26 “and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

D. to Prayers - notice it says prayers. This is intentional. The church devoted themselves to praying with each other. This was seen as a group activity more importantly a corporate way to worship. Not only did they pray as worship they truly enjoyed praying together. Matt 18:19 “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” 2 Chron 7:14 “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Col 4:2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

You see the church is just more than a Sunday morning activity that is optional, casual, alternative, or elective it is a gift from God himself to help you fulfill His purpose and will. If you reject the gift you reject the giver. If you are blase about the church that Jesus established then you are blase about what He did on the cross for you. “Pastor you are pastor of course you will say that.” again don't take my word for it. Read your bible, ask solid Christians that you know, look at historical godly figures and you will find that church was essential in their lives. Does church even matter anymore? More than ever. We are so tempted to watch tv or YouTube and hear a sermon and say I had church today, no you didn’t. You didn’t have church until you worshipped and prayed, and fellowshipped with other like minded individuals.

Church is relevant...

Because of Evangelism - Proclamation of the Gospel is our main goal and purpose after glorifying God.

Engagement - Matt 16:18 “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.” Jesus engaged people in His work. If you are not engaged then you are not a part of His work. Matt 4:19 “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.””

Equipping - I am sorry Christian music, christian entertainment, christian bookstores, christian radio, will not equip you to works of righteousness only personal discipleship will do that. All those things can augment your faith but lets be real they label many things “Christian” just to get your money. Are you equipped to face the end of the world? I’m gonna tell you klove and mars hill will not be sufficient, it is in the local church that you will find strength when the world comes crashing down

Encouragement - The church is the agent of hope on earth. Jesus was the incarnation of God, God in flesh, the Church is the incarnation of Christ. We are His hands and feet we are His heart to a dead and dying world. We are receivers of the Good news of Jesus and we are to share that.

Application

The local church is God’s gift to you - do not neglect it, don.t pass it off, church is Just as important as prayer, bible study, and evangelism they are integrated.

Schedule your life around church, don’t schedule church around your life

understand church is family we live, cry, laugh, pray, study, and grow together or at least we should.

the church is our sanctuary not just physically, but spiritually we need each other… Jesus told us so