"Your Purpose As The Church" Series

Title: “Your Purpose As The Church”

Scripture: Matthew 22:37-40; 28:19-20

Introduction:

When it comes to God’s church, every born again believer has a purpose to fulfill. As the body of Christ we have been ordained to accomplish certain tasks, and because of this we need to take a discrete look at these responsibilities, and begin performing them.

I. COMMIT TO THE SUPREME ONE

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

A. We commit to ,or love God with all our hearts by worshipping Him

B. Worshipping God is the church’s first purpose

1. Many times we get so busy working for God, that we do not express love for Him through worship

2. We need to realize that worship comes before service

(Matthew 4:10)

C. We are commanded to celebrate God’s presence by magnifying and exalting Him (Psalms 34:3)

1. Worship should not be out of duty; we should worship because we want to

2. We should enjoy expressing our love to God

II. COMFORT THE SAINTS

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39)

A. The church has an obligation to comfort people through ministry

1. Ministry is demonstrating God’s love to others by meeting their needs and healing their hurts in the name of Jesus

2. Each time you reach out to others you are ministering to them

B. We are to minister to all kinds of needs

1. Spiritual

2. Emotional

3. Relational

4. Physical

C. The duty of the church is to “…equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12)

1. Very little actual ministry takes place in many churches

2. Much of the time is taken up by meetings

III. CONVERT THE SINNERS

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

A. The church is to communicate God’s Word so that sinners might be converted

1. We are ambassadors for Christ, and our mission is to evangelize the world

2. It is every Christians responsibility to share the Good News wherever we go

3. We are to tell the whole world of Christ coming, His death on the cross, His resurrection, and His promise to return

B. The task of evangelism is so important, Christ actually gave five Great Commissions

1. Matthew 28:19-20

2. Mark 16:15

3. Luke 24:47

4. John 20:21

5. Acts 1:8

C. Evangelism is more than our responsibility; it is our great privilege

IV. COMMUNE WITH SIBLINGS

“…baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19)

A. As Christians we are called to belong, not just believe

1. It is not meant for God’s children to live lone-ranger lives

2. We are to belong to Christ family and be members of His body

B. Baptism is the outward sign that we have identified with the body of Christ

1. It is not only a symbol of salvation, it is a symbol of fellowship

2. When new believers are baptized, they are welcomed into the family of God (Ephesians 2:9)

C. The church resides to provide communion for believers

V. CONDUCT THE SAVED

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:…”(Matthew 28:20)

A. The church has the responsibility to edify, or educate God’s people

1. This is commonly referred to as discipleship

2. Discipleship is the process of helping people become more like Christ in their thoughts, feelings, and actions

3. This process begins when a person is born again and continues throughout the rest of his life (Colossians 1:28)

B. As the church we are appointed not only to reach people, but also teach them

1. After someone has made a decision for Christ, he or she must be discipled

2. Paul writes: “…so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13)

Conclusion:

Today our church exists for a purpose, and that is to conduct, commit, comfort, and convert. Although many churches will differ in how these tasks are accomplished, there should be no disagreement on what we are called to do.