Why I believe: in the church

Understanding why I believe   •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  1:01:31
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Have you ever been discouraged, disparaged by the church?

The imperfect church is still something we should believe in. This morning we are going to be looking at the church, described, defined and applicable.
Previously we have in this series looked at:
Why believe in God
Creator of the world (Gen1:1-27; Eph3:9)
Sustainer of the world (Eph4:16; Col2:19)
The historical and scientific evidence
Why believe in the bible
Because of the uniformity of the Bible by 40 people over 1500 years, from various backgrounds and places
Because of the foreknowledge of the bible, the scientific facts proven years after the bible proclaimed.
Because of the over 2000 fulfilled prophesies found in the bible many with outside the bible historical accounts too.
The bibles impact on civilization and on a person
Why believe in Jesus Christ
because of the fulfilled prophesies about Him
Because of the apostolic testimony about Him
Because it brought about personal faith, surrender and commitment to Him
The screen you are looking at talks about being discouraged, disparaged by the church before. Let me expand a minute or two.
Insert personal story about being hurt by the church, body of believers, be sure to include restoration story too (keep short less than 5 minutes)
So, here is where I would like to go this morning in the time we have
The church described (what is the church).
The church defined (who is the church).
The church applied, what are we to do as the church.

The church described

It is good for is to look at what the bible says, since we already established why we should, or why we believe in the bible, Jesus Christ and God. So, let’s see together now when it comes to the church.
I’m sure you have heard, seen the illustration going all the way back to your childhood (illustrate here is church, steeple, open the doors and see an the people) but is that true? Is that biblical? Let’s see what the scripture says (telling you up front this is very scripture rich, I have put all the scriptures and describers in your outline. not all will be on the screen). If you want to follow along for most of them, open your bibles to Ephesians. Let me start with:
Christ’s Church (Mt16:18)
Matthew 16:18 NASB95
18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Christ is over the church (Eph1:22)
The church is His body (Eph1:23; Col1:18, 24)
The church is the fullness of him (Eph1:23)
Ephesians 1:22–23 NASB95
22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
The church is a part of God’s eternal purpose (Eph3:10-11)
Ephesians 3:10–11 NASB95
10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
So, to God be the glory in the church (Eph3:21)
eph3:21 “21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
For Christ is the head and the Savior of the church, the body (Eph5:23)
eph5:23 “23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.”
Christ gave Himself for the church (Eph5:25)
Eph5:25 “25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,”
The church is designed to be glorious (Eph5:26-27)
Ephesians 5:26–27 NASB95
26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
Jesus nourishes and cherishes the church (Eph5:29-30)
Eph5:29-30 “29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body.”
The church was purchased by His precious blood (Act20:28)
Act20:28 “28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
The church is the family of God (1Tim3:15)
1 Timothy 3:15 NASB95
15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
(Transition) I think it is pretty clear a few things.
God thinks very highly of the Church and was a part of His eternal purpose
We should think highly of the church and treat the church as “glorious” and make sure it is nourished and cherished
Now we better go from described to defined

The Church defined

We should look at some definitions with some scriptures too for us to be able to accurately define the church.
Greek word “Ekklesia” (1Pt2:9; Act19:39, 7:38, 19:40-41)
“Ek” meaning (Out of) and “Kaleo” (to call) so it is the called out ones
The word Ekklesia and church are not the same thing. Though I’m sure you have heard it said that way, and yes we are the Ekklesia, the called out ones, but there are many types of Ekklesia, not just the body of Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 NASB95
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Here Peter says the Ekklesia, the called out, were out of darkness, and what that looked like was a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own possession, with a purpose, to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out.
Let me expand a little more on this:
Eastman’s bible dictionary defines church as
In the New Testament it is the translations of the Greek word Ekklesia , which is synonymous with the Hebrew word “kahal,’ of the Old Testament”
Both words simply mean “an assembly”
Thayer’s defines church as “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
An assembly of people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating (Act19:39, 7:38, 19:40-41)
Acts 19:39 NASB95
39 “But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly.
and
Acts 7:38 NASB95
38 “This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you.
and one more
Acts 19:40–41 NASB95
40 “For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 After saying this he dismissed the assembly.
So, Ekklesia simply means called out to assembly for a purpose, a gathering of people for a purpose, so does that define the church? No!
Ekklesia used in Christian sense (1Cor14:19, 35; 1The1:1; 1Cor1:2; Eph1:22-23; Heb12:22-23)
Thayer goes on and offers a few uses of the word in Christian sense.
An assembly of Christians
1 Corinthians 14:19 NASB95
19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
or
1 Corinthians 14:35 NASB95
35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
again, in a christian sense
A company of Christians (1The1:1; 1Cor1:2; Eph1:22-23; Heb12:22-23)
This being a group of people who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs (Thayers)
1the1:1
1 Thessalonians 1:1 NASB95
1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
A company, a gathering anywhere in a city, village, constitute the church and are united in one body.
1 Corinthians 1:2 NASB95
2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
The whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth
Ephesians 1:22–23 NASB95
22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
And they are the assembly of the the believers, the faithful that have gone on to be with the Lord in heaven as noted in Hebrews 12:22-23.
To sum up this may we look at it like this
The church is universal - this is all the saved, the whole assembly of believers united in Christ Jesus
The church is local - a company of believers, saved people in a geographical area who work and worship together as a local congregation.
(Insert Church is who we are picture here)
We are a part of the universal church- The church Jesus Christ gave His life for and that He is the head of (Eph5:23, 25)
We are a part of the universal church that Christ sanctifies and cleanses (Eph5:25-26)
WE are part of the universal church that Christ will one day present to the Father as the glorious church without spot or blemish (Eph5:27)
why I believe in the church, that is what we have been looking at this morning, We are a local church, a body of believers with one purpose to glorify God and to make disciples.
If you did you have the right definition and description of the church before I hope you do now. And I hope you can say “I AM THE CHURCH”
Jesus Christ adds to the church (Act2:47)
Acts 2:47 NASB95
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
He adds those who being baptized (Act2:41)
Acts 2:41 NASB95
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
Those baptized were those who believed and repented, and they were saved
Mark 16:16 NASB95
16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Acts 2:38 NASB95
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
So, if you are not a part of the church, let this scripture speak to you now
Acts 22:16 NASB95
16 ‘Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’
Be added to the numbers!
(Song) (Prayer) (Exit)
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