1. God’s three organizations:
a. Family
b. Government
c. Church
d. What happens when we take God out of these?
2. There are some “mega-churches” in the US today which loudly and boldly proclaim the name of Yeshua (Jesus) to the world.
3. Did you know that there are churches which are starting to distance themselves intentionally from the One who established the church?
a. Broadway Presbyterian Church in Upper Manhattan, New York, as reported in the January 26, 2002, issue of World Magazine. The article said that in the early 1900’s through the 1960’s the Broadway church was a powerful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with more than a thousand active members. But their number shrank to about 120.
Why? Well, over the years a subtle change crept in as their emphasis switched from presenting the Gospel to helping the homeless. They set up soup kitchens in the church building & began massive feeding programs for those in need.
Now, at first glance we would think that helping those in need is a very worthy & Christian thing to do, & it is! And they should be praised for doing so. But, at Broadway, prayers were never offered in the soup kitchens, nor was the name of Jesus ever mentioned - because they were concerned that someone might resent it.
b. Lakewood, TX congregation of Joel Osteen – no crosses or Christian décor so that people are not offended
c. C3 Exchange in Spring Lake, Michigan (formerly known as Christ Community Church) has taken down its cross from the building and no longer speaks the name of Yeshua (Jesus) because of the church’s diversity which now boasts of Buddhist; Muslim; Atheist; as well as Christians and other religions – they no longer want to be an exceptional community but rather an inclusive one where they can “practice being human together” (religious humanism)
d. There are Presbyterian Churches in central Texas that apparently have received some kind of Federal money to do similar things
4. Let’s explore “Church” for a few minutes this morning:
I. The Church is the “Bride of Yeshua (Jesus)”
In 2005, a 32 year old woman by the name of Jennifer Wilbanks set off a nationwide hunt as fears of abduction and even murder became the talk of news stations all across the airwaves. Rescue teams were put on alert, and volunteers gave up days of work to search for her while the shadow of suspicion began to grow longer upon the fiancé who had planned to marry her within a few short days. As we all know by now, it all turned out to be something other than an abduction or a murder, but in fact turned out to be a simple case of “cold feet” and a “runaway bride”. Thankfully, that was the case as far as her life goes, but many people have become very irritated that one woman would put so many other people at risk and inconvenience for the sake of her own needs.
In a USA Today article we read the following quote:
Agents said in the report that Wilbanks "was scared to marry (fiancé) John Mason because she is afraid of an imperfect world. Wilbanks stated that she could not be the wife that her fiancé John Mason needed. Wilbanks wanted to disappear without a trace."
A. The Price of the Bride
1. Price of the bride is negotiated by the fathers of Bride and Groom
2. High value – some bride prices were as high as the cost of a house
B. The Proposal to the Bride
I like it when a guy makes one of those bold public marriage proposals. In the middle of a crowded restaurant (guy down on one knee popping the question, producing the ring, girl breaks down crying…), at half time of a big game, on Oprah in front of a national television audience. One guy took his girl up in a hot air balloon and had written in a field “Will you marry me?” It was all caught on camera. I would hope a guy is pretty sure of himself when he takes that kind of risk. (Can you imagine getting turned down on national TV? GIRL – “Nah! Not interested!” or “Could I have some time to think about it?”)
1. Groom presents a cup of wine to the potential bride
2. She accepts (drinks from the cup after the groom) or rejects
3. If she accepts she understands that she has been “bought with a price”
4. Us -- 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6.19-20
5. Lord’s Supper is a weekly recommitment to our Groom
C. The Promise to the Bride
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14.1-3
1. The place of covenant and ketubah – Exodus 24
2. The Room
3. The Return
II. The Church is God’s Witnessing Community – Matthew 16.18
A. In Making a Declaration of God to the World
1. As Israel
4 You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” Exodus 19.4-6
2. As Intentional Followers of Yeshua (Jesus)
a. In Love – 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13.34-35
1) Love is not emotions
2) Love is action – why we can love enemies/neighbors
3) Sometimes is “tough love”
b. In Fruit – 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15.7-8
1) Given by HS – Galatians 5.22-23
2) Requires pruning
a) Sometimes there are passive and receptive activities; sometimes there active and productive activities
b) Sinful activity – unproductive – breaks the heart of God and requires pruning
c. In Unity – 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. John 17.20-23
B. In Making Disciples From the World
In the 13th Century, Nicolo Polo, the father of Marco Polo, was visiting the court of the great Kublai Khan. Kublai Khan was the Emperor of All China & he had never seen any Europeans before. He was delighted to meet this visitor from Venice and was strongly impressed by the Christian character and faith that he saw in Nicolo.
In fact, he was so impressed that he sent a letter back with Nicolo to Rome urging that a number of Christian educators be sent to instruct his people in the teachings of Christ.
But this was still during what we call the “Dark Ages” in Europe, and the church leaders were too involved in the political upheavals of that day to give any serious attention to his request.
In the end, only two men were sent, and because the trip was so difficult, they lost heart and turned back without ever reaching China. So, because of the failure of the church of that day, Kublai Khan turned to Buddhism and that has been the predominant religion in that area ever since.
1. Set Apart People – “Ekklesia” – a holy nation; peculiar people
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5.25-27
a. Seen in Sabbath
b. Seen in Kosher
c. Seen in Circumcision
d. Seen in clothing – in nation of Israel
e. US? Lifestyle -- 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 1 Peter 3.14-16
2. Set Apart with Purpose
a. Make Disciples – Pirkei Avot 1.1 – Moses received the Torah at Sinai; gave it to Joshua; Joshua gave it to the elders; the elders gave it to the prophets; the prophets gave it to the men of the Great Assembly; They said three things:
• Be prudent in judgment
• Raise up many disciples
• Build a fence around the Torah
b. A Repeated Reminder – Matthew 28.16-20 (16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.); Mark 16.14-16 (14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.); Luke 24.36-53 (50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.)
c. A Established Example – 2 Timothy 2.1-2
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3. Set Apart with Potential
a. Compared to a body
b. Filled with functioning gifts
Conclusion
1. The church is described in a number of ways – Bride; Body; Temple of the Holy Spirit
2. The focus is on a serious relationship with the same God who created the heavens and earth; called Abraham and set his descendants apart; the God who gave his one and only Son; the God who calls men to himself
3. We dare not leave him out of the equation – either intentionally or unintentionally – we can do so by ignoring his word; devaluing ourselves; rejecting his Son
4. In rural Louisiana in an Episcopal Church Cemetery is the grave of a woman buried beneath a 150 year old oak tree. In accordance with the woman’s wishes there is only one word chiseled on her tomb stone: “Waiting.” The church doesn’t know when her Lord will return. But we wait with great anticipation.
