INTRODUCTION:
Jesus said: Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!
There’s a rumour going round in the Catholic Church that they are the only true church because they claim they can trace their origins back to the Apostle Peter. That the church is founded upon Peter because Jesus named him Cephas, which means Rock. We need to note that Peter’s ministry was primarily to the Jews, and there are not many Jews in the Catholic Church! Also the ministry to the Gentiles was primarily through Paul. It was Paul who taught something vital to the churches of his time, and to us now; in Eph2v19-22:
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built upon the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In HIM the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in HIM you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
What a tremendous privilege and heritage we have, that we are counted as part of God’s household, his church and one in which God dwells by His Spirit. It’s not through some claimed circumstantial accident of geography as the RC’s claim, but because Jesus says so and God says so in His word, the scriptures.
The word "Church" as found in the Scripture derives its meaning from the Greek Word “KURIAKOS” which means "Belonging to the Lord", but it is also a com¬bination of another Greek word "EKKLESIA" which means "Assembly". So if we combine the two we get the true meaning -- which is an assembly belonging to the Lord".
You have heard it said: "Oh, isn’t the parish church beautiful and impressive?” Well, the building is not the Church! We who have trusted on the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour are “The Church”. This place we meet in is just a hall, a building. We are the "Church"!
Considering that we are Christ's Church; what kind of church do you want this one to be? Do we want it to be pleasing to the Lord or do we want to just get by until He comes??
In the Book of Revelation Chpts. 1-3, the risen Christ Himself, speaks to 7 Churches. He tells them He has something against all but one of the Churches; that was the Church at Smyrna. They were a Church in the midst of trial and tribulation, yet they remained faithful to God. The name "Smyrna" means "Myrrh" or perfume, thus their testimony was a sweet perfume to God. I hope we can say that of our local church!
CHRIST WANTS HIS CHURCH TO BE:
1. A church that reaches out to all, the whosoever.
2. A church that reflects God’s holiness and glory.
3. A church that radiates God’s love.
(1) A Church that reaches out to All
a) Evangelizing the World
Evangelizing the whole world from here? We start where we are with those around us, by living and working in the power of His Holy Spirit and not in our own strength alone. Acts 1:8: “But you will receive POWER, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses………”
We have to start somewhere, being ourselves, relying on His power, because He tells us to do so! Matt- 28:18-20: “Then Jesus (the risen death-conquering Jesus) came to them and said: ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age’.”
b) Being a lighthouse of Bible Truth
Much of the church worldwide has failed to maintain the whole truth of the Gospel. Compromise and distortions have come in. We have only one faith: Jude was emphatic about that as he urgently wrote to the believers: It was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
Paul also had to remind the Christians: “Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Eph. 5v15-16
We must maintain and proclaim the standard of right and holy living or we lack any credibility. In matters of morality and right living, the “so called Christian” world looks to the church for example. Do these people find an example or hypocrisy?
c) Preserving and enlightening
Living the true Christian life requires perseverance as well as personal knowledge and wisdom. We can’t be lights to the world unless we shine out for Jesus and the truth of God’s word. We will have no effect in communicating the gospel to others unless they see in us consistence and something different to ordinary unsaved people.
You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be salted again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and be trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matt. 5v13-14
God wants His church to be: a church that reaches out to whosoever. As the church in this locality, we must be one that evangelizes, one that holds to and demonstrates the whole truth of the scriptures, and one that perseveres in the standards of belief and life. This will be the most powerful witness. Living as lights of the Lord sums it all up.
That leads directly on to the second aspect of what God wants His church to be:
A Church That Reflects God’s Holiness and Glory
How?
a) By Glorifying God
Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3v17)
There’s a well-known Saying: before you start to speak, put your brain in gear! Thoughtless words destroy and do not glorify God. Then when our brains are engaged and in gear and active, properly controlled by the Spirit of God, then and only then should we speak or decide our actions.
Another saying: Actions speak louder than words. Yes, so let’s make sure our deeds are always God glorifying.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men… it is the Lord God you are serving.” Col 4v23-4
b) Being His Earthly Abode
If anyone serves, he should do it with all the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
(1 Peter 4v11)
We as a fellowship and also as individuals are His earthly abode until he comes again. Peter writing to a persecuted church reminded them of their precious position of love and strength in God through Christ: “As you come to him, the Living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2v4-5)
c) Offering Spiritual Sacrifices
Our lives are or should be a spiritual sacrifice to God. In response to Christ’s sacrifice of Himself for each of us Paul sets forth the standard of life we should offer back as our response. Rom 12v1: “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual act of worship.”
God wants His church to be one that magnifies His name, and we can only do that if we: Glorify God in all that we say and do; realize that we ARE His earthly dwelling place We will be enabled to give ourselves to His service, as our talents and faculties allow, as living sacrifices. Then God’s church on earth will be one that magnifies His name to all around.
(3) A Church That Radiates God’s Love
In John chapter 15 Jesus uses the illustration of the vine and the branches. He is our root and spiritual sustainer; we are the branches that are given life from Him, and everything needed for living in Him as His branches. He says in this context: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” We can do lots of things but in eternal values, only those things done in Him and through Him will bear any fruit. If we want to be a living fruit bearing part of the church of Jesus Christ, then we must be living IN Him, like branches of THE Vine.
We can only do that because of His love for us, and our love in response for Him.
Jesus himself said (v8) “This is my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” And in v16-17: “You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my Name. This is my command: Love each other.”
Though I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal ….. If I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
1 Cor. 13v1-2
If there is no love one for another, our motives are wrong and the work for God is spoiled. If people don’t see love in our hearts, then they won’t see God’s love in our lives or in His message through us
That love must be genuine even though sometimes it’s hard to love the unlovely.
Application:
What kind of church do you want this to be? Well, what kind of church does God want this to be? Are these aligned with each other or is the a big difference?
Three things we’ve considered this morning; may they touch the depths of our hearts:-
God wants:
A church that reaches out to all, the whosoever, in spreading the whole Gospel, upholding and demonstrating the whole truth of God’s word. A pillar and ground of truth in society, persevering to show to others the truth of the scriptures and the love of God.
A church that reflects God’s holiness and glory by realizing that it is the earthly abode of the Holy Spirit of the Living God. Each of us is part of the church of Jesus Christ. Can we, will we live, work, and serve in a God glorifying manner? Will we offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices which is our reasonable service and worship?
A church that radiates God’s love first to each other and then to others around who need to know about the love of God and the Saviour of souls.
What kind of church do you want this one to be? Well, I pray it’s the same kind of church that God wants this one to be. A church in which each member is a sweet-smelling savor unto God!
Let’s recall these points as we do our best to move forward and spread the Gospel in the love of God into our locality and perhaps far beyond.
Bible quotations are from the NIV 1984 edition, or the King James.
