Looking At The Church Lesson 1 Series

A. WHAT FUTURE DID JESUS SEE? “I will build My church” (Matt. 16:18).

1. An entity, He begins – “I will.”

2. Didn’t exist then or in Old Testament.

3. Continuous development – “Be building.”

4. Uniquely Jesus’ possession – “My.”

5. He would gather them into an assembly.

6. Victory “all the powers of hell can’t stop it” (Matt. 16:18, ELT).

B. WHAT DID JESUS PROMISE? “Where two or three gather . . . I am there among them” (Matt. 18:20, NLT).

1. They were to assemble, i.e., meaning of word church, He didn’t say when, where, why or what.

2. Size was not the issue, the reason for gathering was . . . “as followers.”

3. “As followers” they made a statement who they were to themselves and to outsiders.

4. The theology of “there.” Not where, when, or what, but Who they followed, “There you will be.”

5. The imperative is Jesus’ presence. “I am there.”

Indwelling presence – in you

Institutional presence – in church

Omnipresence – everywhere at all times

Localized presence – His physical body in heaven

Revival presence – manifested to believers

C. HOW DID JESUS WANT THE CHURCH FOCUSED ON HIS PURPOSE? “If your brother does something wrong, go to him privately and show him where he is wrong . . . if he will not listen, take two or three others with you . . . if he refuses to listen to them, report the matter to My church. And if he refuses to listen to My church, treat him like a pagan” (Matt. 18:15-17, BBJ).

1. Those in church knew “right” because they knew Jesus.

2. Those in the church agree to do right.

3. Those who didn’t do right are excommunicated. If they are not in communion with God, they should not be in communion with believers” (1 Cor. 5:45; 1 Tim. 1:20).

D. WHAT DID JESUS GIVE TO KEEP THEM FOLLOWERS?

1. “Jesus took bread and blessed it . . . take eat this is My body” (Matt. 26:26). He didn’t say when, where or what type of bread. He wanted obedience and communion.

2. “He took the cup . . . all of you drink it” (Matt. 26:27). He wanted united fellowship.

3. Why? “In remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:24-25).

4. What does it accomplish? “Every time a believer eats . . . drinks . . . they believe the truth of the gospel” (1 Cor. 11:26, BBJ).

E. WHAT WAS A FOLLOWER’S IDENTIFYING SYMBOL? “Go therefore, and make disciples (followers), of all ethnic groups, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey all things I told you” (Matt. 28:19-20, BBJ).

1. The imperative is to get people to follow Jesus. The word “disciple” is imperative verb. If they don’t follow Jesus, nothing else counts.

2. The first step is baptism in water, identifying with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:4-6, BBJ).

3. The word “name” is singular, suggesting dipping one time in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Not sprinkling or symbolic baptism.

4. “Teaching them to obey all, I have commanded” (v. 26). The pieces are not complete until they learn all Jesus commanded.

F. MAN’S DEFINITION OF CHURCH: (1) A church is an assembly of professing believers, (2) in who Christ dwells, (3) under the authority of Scriptures, (4) organized to carry out the Great Commission, (5) and administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Table.

1. What if some don’t profess? Or possess?

2. How close to Scriptures? Presbyterians? Methodist? Plymouth Brethren?

3. How big? Multisite? Internet church?

4. How organized? Written doctrine? Deacons, elders? Pastors? Budget?

5. Building? Name? Members roll?