Called Out: The Role Of The Church Sermon by Donald Whitchard, Matthew 16:13-19, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-20, Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 4:15, Colossians 1:18

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Called Out: The Role Of The Church

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Called Out: The Role Of The Church

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 14, 2022 (message contributor)

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Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-20, Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 4:15, Colossians 1:18

Denomination: Baptist

Summary: Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and no one else (Matthew 16:13-19). We have strayed from what the Scriptures teach about the church's purpose and responsibilities and instead allowed the world's opinions take precedence over what we are to be and do.

When we hear the word "church", most of us think of a building or membership in a particular denomination with standards, beliefs, and guidelines for worship, order, the reading and use of Scripture, and sermons. The problem is that far too many people now view the church as a symbol of religious oppression and that faith and belief have no place in a sophisticated society. Reason, logic, and the deity of science have allegedly made such things the relics of a bygone "racist" "colonial" era, or whatever terms dwell within the minds of a secular public unwilling to think for themselves. Those of us who claim to follow Jesus Christ and the Bible have not helped matters. There are too many incidents of dissentions, dislikes, and "church splits" over what ends up being trivial. There are also stories about one church in town with a history of running off pastors, along with news reports on cover-ups by denominational leaders concerning sexual abuse and other crimes that were never addressed and have only recently come to light. It is little wonder that our light and salt has become dim and totally unfit to bear the name of Christ (Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 14"34). If you have walked with the LORD for any length of time, you're no doubt aware of these troubles. We must return to the church's origin and purpose as presented in the Word of God.

The word "church" comes from the Greek term "EKKLESIA". It means "called out", and originally meant the public gathering of citizens to discuss affairs of state. In the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures known as the Septuagint (LXX), it came to mean "the gathering of the people of Israel", or the institution that came to be known as the synagogue. The church was established by the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel, which began in Jerusalem, the city where Jesus had been put to death (Acts, Chapters 1-4). The "called out ones" (EKKLESIA) came to mean the "professed believers" who had been redeemed through the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:22, 5:23; Galatians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:5). The verb "EK", meaning "out of" is worthy of our attention. We are first "called out" by the Lord Jesus to turn away from our sin and come to Him for authentic rest and peace (Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:28-30, 14:6). When we admit that we are sinners and confess Him as Lord and Savior (Acts 4:12,16:32; Romans 10:9-10, 13), we become a member of His body, "called out" to serve Him and not to let the world draw us away from His will and direction (1John 2:15-17).

Because of the new life that He gives us, we are also "called out" from the dead rituals, dull routines and dank formality of "religion" the world uses to gain peace or appeasement from their particular deity, performing futile works that earn no one salvation apart from that which is offered by Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:6, 64:6; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 16:31; Romans 5:9, 8:37-39; Ephesians 2:8-9). It's also interesting to learn that the Greek term "TEREO" when used with the term "EK" means "KEPT OUT OF". In Revelation 3:10, the Lord Jesus promised the church in Philadelphia that He would deliver them from God's wrath which will come upon the earth: "Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will KEEP YOU" (TEREO EK) from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell upon the earth." (NKJV). So, what does this imply for us today? Are we going to be part of that promise as well, or will we go through increasing hostility and trouble? In his commentary on the book of Revelation and sermons dealing with the last days, the noted pastor and teacher John MacArthur declared Revelation 3:10 a "pre-tribulation rapture passage". Like-minded pastors, teachers, and fellow believers are also led to believe that this verse, along with John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, all refer to the prophetic event known as the Rapture of the church, the sudden "snatching" of the true "called out ones" by the Lord Jesus Christ, both living and dead, to meet Him in the air, where we will be with Him for all time. This could happen any moment. The question is: are you ready? Are you a true follower of Jesus Christ and part of the "called out" ones who have placed their trust in Him alone for salvation and eternal life? If not, the first step is to admit that you are a sinner under judgment and cannot save yourself. Then, believe with all your heart, soul, and mind that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that God has raised Him from the dead. Finally, confess Him as Lord, trusting in Him alone to save you from your sins (Romans 10:9-10, 13). When you do that, you become part of the "called out "body who will be with Him forever in the new heaven and earth He promised in accordance with the Scriptures (Revelation 21:1-17, Chapter 22). I want you to be part of the family, so, what are you waiting for? The family reunion is about to get started, and for that I say, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus." Amen.