CBC = 15 Aug. 2004 = 6 P.M Page 3 of 3
What do you believe, and why? = # 3 = (various, topical)
We have been discussing the importance of knowing what you believe and why
- 2 Tim. 3.16-17 = It’s God’s Word = Particular purposes = Maturing up to do good works
- What’s the best good work we can do? = Matt. 28.18-20 = Make disciples, baptize them and then "teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you"
Tonight want to explore one of the practical implications of the Gospel
- When a sinner gets converted = And then obeys the Lord by following Him in believer’s baptism = What’s the next logical step of obedience you would expect them to take?
- [Acts 2.40-41] = Join the church
- Please understand = I do not believe the primary purpose of baptism is to make someone a member = So in our church they are separate steps
- I believe baptism’s primary purpose is a public testimony of your salvation and an important step in obedience to the Saviour
- But you can’t join our church without being baptized, that’s for sure
Now is the church really that important?
- [Matt. 16.13-18] = Establishes the church = Not universal agreement that Matt. 16 is when Christ established it, but that’s my position
- "church" = /ekklasia/ = Called out, called together assembly, for a purpose
- Peter isn’t the head = "Pebble" (vs.) "Boulder"
- "Rock" of Peter’s confession = Foundation to become a member of the church = Foundation of every person’s membership
- Jesus says it’s "My church"
- Important job to the church = "...and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
- Begins to give it some authority = [16.19] = Then more authority = [Matt. 18.15-20]
LOCAL & VISIBLE [vs.] UNIVERSAL & INVISIBLE
- Majority of uses of /ekklesia/ = Local, visible assembly = Especially clear when you look at the Eng. word other than "church" (ie: assembly)
- Most disputed uses of "church," context suggests the same as above
- Only [1] verse in all of Scripture of which I’m aware speaks of a "universal" church
- [Heb. 12.22-23] = Yes, universal = But still LOCAL and VISIBLE
- And so while it’s appropriate to speak of...
- "one family of God" = Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
- "Brethren" = We are all related by BLOOD
- "one Kingdom of Christ" = Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:
- "Citizens" = "Ambassadors" = Of the Heavenly King
- We must remember that every church is an independent unit = Intended by God to be a complete body of Christ in and of itself
Acts 2 = Not where the church starts, though some teach that = I disagree
- EMPOWERED on the day of Pentecost = [2.1-4]
- Many things going on = Preaching and testifying to "the wonderful works of God" (v.11)
- And then eventually Peter = v.14 = [2.37-41]
- Notice, v.41, "they that gladly received his word" = Essentially "repent and believe the Gospel" (context) = Followed by "believer’s baptism"
- And God was adding to the church = [2.47] = Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
- You’re going to try to tell me something God adds to is not important?
And then notice also = Paul’s farewell to Ephesian elders = Acts 20.17
- Look at what he is careful to include = [20.25-28]
- You’re going to tell me something that Christ purchased with His own Blood isn’t important?
And then notice = [Eph. 5.21~ff]
- Esp. v.23, head, savior = v.25, loved, gave himself for = v.26, sanctify, cleanse = v.27, present it = v.29, nourisheth, cherish
- You’re going to tell me that something Christ cares about that much isn’t important?
And then notice please = 1 Tim. 3.14-15
- "pillar" = "column" or "support" = That which props up TRUTH
- "ground" = "basis" = That which all TRUTH rests on
- School house, Club house, Court house, nor White House ought to be telling us what’s right and wrong = We ought to be telling them
- And that’s the job God has given = TO THE CHURCH
CONCLUSION
Do you still think the Church is unimportant?
- Do you still think it’s acceptable to simply do as you please with regards to the church?
- The way some Christians act, that’s the way it seems, it surely does
- The church is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, our "chief cornerstone"
- To become a part of it you must believe on Jesus Chrsit as the son of God
- Repent of your sins = "Born again" = Believer’s baptism
AND THEN [Rom. 6.3-11]
- Should be walking in newness of life
- Should no longer be serving sin
- Should be living to God and your Lord Jesus Christ
And I think we can all agree that should include...
- Knowing what you believe and why so you are "throughly furnished unto all good works"
- Especially in obeying all three parts of the Great Commission
- And being an ensample to new converts in all things
- Especially things so near and dear to the heart of Jesus Christ, like His Church?
- Not just joining... Not just being a member... But being active
I had an uncle who worked at Crucible = Accident = Lost his leg = Wooden replacement
- It was all right for walking on = But it wasn’t real
- And it stuck out like a...wooden leg
- Jesus does not want "prosthetic Christians"
- Not looking for artificial, imitation, plastic members
- He takes us from dead wood and transforms us into living, vibrant members, believers, Saints, Children of God
- And His very strong desire and expectation is that we will go on to "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ..." (2 Pet. 3.18)
- So that we go from "believer" to become "disciple" = And live up to the name, CHRISTIAN
INVITATION
Plain and simple truth = Get saved when you discover you need a Savior
- You are then recognized as a believer
- But what transforms you from a believer into a disciple is a recognition on your part that Jesus Christ is the LORD
- And a humbling of your heart, soul, mind and strength to make Him YOUR Lord
Do you truly understand how important the church is the Jesus?
- The local, visible, New Testament living organism we call "the church?"
- And that part of the natural progression is salvation...baptism...church
- And how God truly as ordained the church = Which is, after all, comprised of individual members = US! = As the primary vehicle to ENTRUST HIS TRUTH
- And carry out His Great Commission
- Other jobs for us within the context of the church
- But none as important as that
Is Jesus YOR Savior?
- Is Jesus YOUR Lord?
- Are you honestly trying to serve and obey Him in this area?
- Yes there are other things
- But God is "progressive" = Step by step = Repentance and faith = Salvation = Baptism = Church membership = And then...
- How about you?
- Perhaps church is not an issue for you = But some other issue?
- Altar is open to "...whosoever will..." may come
