Title of today’s message: Being the church
Today’s message is centered around the key passage found in Matthew 16:13-18. You may want to turn there, as we’ll get there in a minute or so.
We are going to consider three amazing facts today:
Importance, purpose, and structure of the church and the role CPC has
Key elements of a healthy church
Church leadership
Importance, purpose and structure of the church
When we speak of the church in today’s context, I’d like to mention that there are two aspects to consider when we say “the church”.
In examining those two aspects, I am referring to the ekklesia, which in the Greek means “the called out ones”.
There is:
The universal church
The local church
Today’s message centers around the ekklesia of the local church, here on out referred to as “the church”.
Are ya with me so far?
This passage is found in 3 of the gospels.
We will look at Matthew’s passage, but the gospels of Mark and Luke also record it, and those are worth looking at when you go back and reflect on today’s word.
Did y’all catch that? In the sales world that is called an “assumptive close”
I’m assuming you will go back and reflect on today’s word!
Stand with me as we honor God while reading His word.
Matthew 16:13–18 “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
In all forthrightness, I tried to find a version of this passage that sort of skipped over or re-named Caesarea Philippi, because I didn’t want to fumble through it! No luck, they all had “Caesarea Philippi”. Everybody knows that should be pronounced Kay-sa-ree-uh fe-lip-e
Speaking of trying to stretch out a sermon…Someone actually had the audacity to claim the reason I get choked up during some sermons is to make the sermon longer!!! I’m not naming any names (Johan), but that is completely inaccurate, (Johan), and I’m hurt that you would even say such a callused thing, (Johan)
As we look into this passage today, please realize this just highlights a few verses about “the church”.
As a reference you may want to write down these verses:
Romans 16:16 as well as ...”all the assemblies of Christ...”
1 Thessalonians 1:1 “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 1:11 “saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia...
Many of the epistles are written to “the church”, the assemblies or bodies of people that form “the church”.
Here’s what I want to point out that this passage in Matthew establishes.
Jesus establishes and builds “the church”.
I will build MY church.
I trust you have NEVER heard to me refer to CPC as my church!
I may say “our church”, meaning Jesus, yours and mine here at CPC.
Let there be no doubt, it is about Jesus!
Jesus establishes and builds “the church”. Not a past tense “established and built”, but rather present tense “establishes and builds”...
Jesus has a plan for His church
I will build my church.
Jesus said it and I believe it, and that plan is revealed in other scripture.
“The church” belongs to Jesus
I will build MY church- removing any question or confusion
Lastly,
Jesus will protect “the church”.
“and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
(Repeat 4 above points)
Everything regarding “the church” belongs to Jesus!
The cornerstone of the structure of “the church” is unity.
Look at:
Ephesians 4:16 “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
-ask others “what does your bible say”-
just replace “body” with “church”, as it is easy to understand how critical UNITY is in “the church”.
To get a broader understanding of what Paul is teaching us there, see also:
Romans 12:4-8 and
1 Corinthians 12:4-31, which is essentially the entire 12th chapter of 1st Corinthians.
We see in at least 3 passages of Paul’s epistles, how “the church” works together to build God’s kingdom! UNITY
A Healthy Church
We’ve looked at the importance, purpose and structure of “the church”, lets examine some key elements surrounding a healthy church.
We must be a healthy church if we are going to fulfill our calling.
There’s an old saying in the business world:
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it”.
First off, know that I am not implying that we manage “the church”
Allow me to go back to the analogy of the physical body, to “the church” body.
If I am 50 lbs over-weight, or using the assumptive close, “since I am 50 lbs overweight, it is obvious my body is not as healthy as it could be!
Oftentimes evaluating the health of a church is not so visible as my being 50 lbs overweight!
Last spring, I began evaluating some KPI’s of CPC.
Again, in the business world KPI’s are: Key Performance Indicators.
I asked a Pastor whom I met at BVTD last spring, how I can determine where we are as a church.
This has sent me on a journey!
I just want to share a few things with you today church.
Not an exhaustive list, but a good start!
I read this last week:
A healthy church looks like Jesus.
In other words, if “the church” is striving to reflect the image of Christ, we are on the road to being healthy, if not already there. (repeat)
KPI’s of a healthy church: (in your notes)
You might take your notes later on today, and “score” each area, on a 1-10 scale.
These are in no particular order:
Dynamic and growing small groups
Experience spiritual growth
Committed leadership
Vision for discipleship
Using spiritual gifts
Growth in conversions (salvations)
Visitation and follow-up
Family friendly
Taking the battle to the enemy
Prepared for growth in numbers
Effective in reaching our community
Vision of our mission as “the church”
“Welcoming” attitude and culture
Provide and encourage opportunities for serving and participating
Stewardship
Witnessing, evangelizing and testimonies
Congregation love for “the church”
Deal with issues that result in producing fruit
As mentioned, not an exhaustive list, but I would like to look at that last one a little closer today.
Dealing with issues that result in producing fruit:
Turn with me to:
Acts 6:1–3 “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;”
Acts 6:4–5 “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, (Pablo, Nolan, Timmy, Patrick, Palmer, and Nicolas) Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,”
For those of you watching online, we have a special event going on today, so I will say goodbye, and challenge you to be a blessing to someone this week!
(Save this for when challenging Joshua)
Acts 6:6–7 “whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
Call Joshua and family up.
Church, I’d like to introduce you to the newest Deacon at CPC.
The 3rd thing I wanted to address with you today is church leadership.
Start with scripture
Challenge us as a church
Challenge Joshua as a deacon.
1 Timothy 3:8–10 “Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.”
1 Timothy 3:11–13 “Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Church, my challenge to us is this:
Pray continually for Joshua and his family. I am certain the attack from the enemy will intensify.
Give him your unwavering support, and trust God in His calling for Joshua.
Edify him: Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Joshua and I have had several conversations over the last 4 or 5 weeks. As have Dan and I.
This decision has been made after much prayer!
Joshua, here’s the challenge I have for you and Chealbi:
Pray over each other. Make it real. Make it intentional. Make it personal.
Know that God and “the church” are holding you accountable for your actions.
Realize this is a great honor to serve in this capacity, but it is an even greater responsibility.
Don’t allow your responsibility as a deacon, diminish your responsibility as a husband and father.
Know that I have your back.
Call Lisa, Dan, Joy, Ashley, Crystal, Jimmy and KarolAnn up.
Read Acts 6:6–7 “whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
Lay hands on them, and ask Crystal to pray.
