WHO RUNS THE CHURCH?
Part 1: What Part Do I Play In The Church?
It was 6 years ago this week, that Gladys, Drew and I moved back here to Enterprise to start what is now known as “River of Life Church.” When we moved back, it was with a little bit of fear and apprehension, but it was primarily with a sense of excitement; looking forward to seeing what God was going to do.
It was 6 years ago this week, that we at River of Life Church, first began holding weekly Bible Studies at the Deltona Community Center. Every Thursday night for several years, we met in that building. We met on Thursday nights because we couldn’t find a place we could rent in those days, where we could meet on Wednesday nights.
In those days, we had nothing. We had no money. We had no buildings. We didn’t have a copy machine, or a phone number. We didn’t have anything but a burden for lost people, a vision for the needs in this community, and a promise that God would build His church. We didn’t even have a name yet.
* How many of you were with us at that first Bible Study?
You know, when you don’t have anything and there aren’t many of you, it doesn’t take much to run an organization. Decisions are kind of made on the fly, as you sit down together and talk about where you see the Lord leading. Since we didn’t have much business, we would talk about what was going on and the successes we saw, as we got together for worship each week. The only formal leadership we had, of any real sort, other than myself, was the trustees. They were entrusted with signing checks and contracts for the church.
In September of 2000, we held our first public worship service here in this school. Within weeks, the church more than doubled in size. Before long we found that there was more church business going on than could be comfortably covered during our weekly Bible Study, so we formed a Leadership Team. This team was made up of the heads of various ministries. This team has been meeting on a monthly basis ever since. This team has received nearly monthly reports on the church’s finances. It has served to help plan the activities and to help chart the course of the church.
My friends, God continues to build His church. Today, after 6 years, our congregation continues to grow. Next Sunday, we will be holding another Baptism and Bar B Q where more will be baptized. The Lord has blessed us with 2 properties, totaling more than 11 ½ acres and more than 3 buildings. The church has grown to the point where we have added a part-time financial secretary and the first Sunday of July we will be adding our 2nd ordained staff person.
God is working. The church is growing. With growth there again comes a need for leadership expansion and growth. In the weeks ahead, we will be looking at what the Bible has to say about church leadership and about running the local church. This morning I would to begin our study, our examination of leadership in the local church by addressing the question of laypeople in the church. What part do you, as members, as baptized believers, play in the church? Please open your Bibles and turn with me to 1 Peter 2:1.
- Read 1 Peter 2:1-12
I. YOU ARE THE MATERIAL OF THE CHURCH
- 1 Peter 2:5
How often people mistakenly talk about a church as though it is nothing more than a building. People talk about going to “church” or meeting at the church. Since we continue to meet in a school, some have even said that we are not a real church.
Sir, Mam, young person, I want you to understand that you are the church. Verse 5 says that you are living stones. You are the material with which the church is built.
How sad it is, that people often forget that the first century church usually did not have buildings of their own. The early Christians met in parts of the temple, or the Jewish synagogues. They met in people’s homes and in the tombs. They met on the river bank. They met wherever they could and yet even without a building people complained “They’re turning the world upside down.”
I am looking forward to having a more permanent place to worship myself, but my friends, if we forget that it is you and I who make up the church, all the buildings in the world will not be a help.
In the Old Testament, we read that God, In a special way, dwelt first in the tabernacle, and then later in the Temple. In the New Testament we read that we are the temple that God’s Spirit dwells in.
> 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
A number of years ago, Gladys and I were at a church where we worked, usually without help, trying to bring in the children and youth of the community. We would pick up and teach children on Tuesday afternoons. We picked up and taught youth on Wednesday afternoons, and then had prayer meeting on Thursday nights. Most of the children and youth we taught and brought in were kids off the street, or out of the arcades, or pool hall. 2 of the children had parents who owned and ran the local bar.
I never will forget one of the dear members of our church who once said, “Brother Gene, what are we going to do about all these children coming in? What are we going to do when they wear out the carpet and the building? How will we replace what we have?
Let me tell you, today that church has a nice, new building, but they are no longer reaching the children in the community. They are no longer reaching the youth of the community. They are sitting there enjoying their building because they have forgotten that the church is not a building. It is people. Ephesians says Jesus laid down His life for the church. Jesus died for people. He didn’t die for buildings.
I don’t care if we stay in rented facilities forever, if I am convinced that’s what the Lord wants. Jesus dies for you and you are the material of the church.
When we think of leadership in the church we remember that you are the material of the church, but we must also remember that Jesus is the head of the church.
II. JESUS IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH
- 1 Peter 2:6-7
Jesus is the chief cornerstone. We may be the material the church is made of, but we are not the ones the church is made for. The church is the Bride of Christ. He is the Chief Cornerstone.
- Ephesians 5:22-24
When we conduct church business, when we are “doing church” our goal and purpose is not to make ourselves happy or comfortable. Our goal is not to do what we are accustomed to. Our goal is to seek God’s will. Our goal is to seek what Jesus wants. He is the Head of the church. It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about Jesus Christ.
One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus, not you or I, that Jesus is Lord.
You are the material of the church. Jesus is the head of the church. You are priests in the church.
III. YOU ARE PRIESTS IN THE CHURCH
- 1 Peter 2:5, 9
- Revelation 1:5-6
These passages mention what we know as “The priesthood of the believer.” My friend, you are a priest in God’s church.
In OT times, the people needed priests to come to them on God’s behalf and to speak to God on their behalf. The priests of old came from 1 family, the Levites. Of that tribe, only the high priest could go into the holy of holies and he could do that only 1 day a year.
In Matthew 27 we read that when Jesus was crucified, the earth shook, the sky was dark, and the veil in the temple that separated man from the holy of holies, the veil that separated God from man was torn from the top to the bottom.
With priesthood there comes many privileges. Since you are a priest you:
A. Privileges of Priesthood
1. Can come face to face with God.
> 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and man, a man, Christ Jesus,
> Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
2. Can pray directly to God in Jesus’ name.
> John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
3. Can confess your sins directly to God.
> 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
4. Can understand the Bible yourself.
- John 16:12-15
5. Need no one to make a sacrifice for you.
- Hebrews 9:12-14
The “Priesthood of the Believer” does not mean, “You are your own priest, and you can do whatever you want to.” It does not mean you can be divisive. It does not guarantee long or regular “business meetings” nor does it even grant everyone the right to speak their mind. In fact, Christianity is far more about servanthood than it is about personal rights. It does mean, however, that every believer is capable of directing to God directly. Because we are all part of the priesthood of the believer, it also means that many decisions in the church involve group consensus.
- Acts 15:22
Since there are so many privileges that come with priesthood, we must realize that there are responsibilities that come with this position as well.
B. The Responsibility of Priesthood
1. Live holy lives.
- 1 Peter 2:1
Rid yourself of wickedness.
2. Desire God’s Word
- 1 Peter 2:2
> 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the Word of truth.
3. Offer spiritual sacrifices
- 1 Peter 2:5
a. Sacrifice praise
- Hebrews 13:15
b. Sacrifice materials
- Hebrews 13:16
c. Sacrifice Yourself
- Romans 12:1 / 1 Peter 2:11-12
My friend, if you are a believer, Jesus Christ dwells in you. You are a priest. You don’t need me nor anyone else to pray, to have access to God, nor to be forgiven of your sins. You can approach God directly. With that honor comes great responsibility.
Jesus, the Great High Priest.
Not My will, but Yours.
