WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL MISSION OF THE CHURCH?
The church is here for a Divine purpose. I want us to learn that purpose so that as we live from day to day we can have that purpose clearly as our motive to live.
Let us look at Acts 1:8 and Matt. 28:20
I. IT IS GIVEN TO US TO PREACH AND TEACH THE WORD OF GOD. The Bible tells us about the power of the word of God.
2 Tim. 4:2-3 Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear.
Tit 1: 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Heb. 4:12-13 “For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.”
The Word of God changes our minds so that we can think right and live right.
II. WE ARE TO PROVIDE A PLACE TO PRAY.
Is 56:7these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."
MT 21:13"It is written," he said to them, "`My house will be called a house of prayer” LK 19:46 He told them, "The Scriptures declare, ’My Temple will be a place of prayer,’ Acts 6:4 Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word."
Prayer changes our hearts so that we will worship God. If this church were to survive on your prayer life how would it be doing in you estimation?
III. WE ARE TO BRING PEOPLE INTO WORSHIPPING GOD AND HIM ONLY.
Acts 2:42, 46, 47 “They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer.” Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
I COR 15:3-8 “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all, he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
We are all longing for a place to worship God and the church is set apart for this purpose only.
IV. WE ARE TO DEFEND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
Jude 1:3 “Dearly loved friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the truth of the Good News. God gave this unchanging truth once for all time to his holy people.”
Jude’s original intention was to write a general treatment of the doctrine of salvation, probably dealing with such subjects as man’s sin and guilt, God’s love and grace, the forgiveness of sins and the changed life-style that follows new birth. Here he used of the body of truth held by believers everywhere, the gospel and all its conclusion. This truth was under attack and had to be defended. The truth has finality and is not subject to change.
1:17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
1 TIM 4:6-11If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things.
V. WE ARE TO GIVE OUT THE GOSPEL TO THE WHOLE WORLD. Mark 16:15-16 “And then he told them, "Go into the entire world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” This tells us we have job to tell everyone, everywhere. What a joy it is to carry the message of salvation that sets one free from sin and brings them into fellowship with Jesus and everlasting life in heaven.
VI. IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE TO BUILD UP THE CHURCH AND INSTRUCT ONE ANOTHER. In contrast to the ungodly false teachers, about whom this letter speaks at length.
Acts 20:28 "And now beware! Be sure that you feed and shepherd God’s flock, his church, purchased with his blood, over whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.
Jude 1:20 But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:26-27 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
Galatians 4:6 And because you have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father.
Eph. 6:18 Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
VII. WE ARE TO PROCLAIM THE LORD’S RETURN.
Titus 2:12-13 “And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.” The word translated "teaches" refers to more than instruction; it includes the whole process of training a child--instruction, encouragement, correction and discipline. “We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.”
1 TIM 14-16 ”to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
2 TIM 8 “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
God is looking in your heart today and saying this is the mission I give you because I love you and I love the world. I pray God will give us heart to do His mission for us.
