The Purpose Of The Church

BIBLE STUDY

THEME: UNDERSTANDING YOUR DIVINE LIFE PURPOSE

TOPIC- THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH 1

TEXT- MATTHEW 16:18-19, 1 COR 12:12-27

INTRODUCTION- There are questions about the purpose of the church even in this present cruel generation. These questions are as follow: why was the church of Jesus Christ founded? What is the church’s purpose? We are going to consider the answers to these questions in the study today.

1) WHAT IS THE CHURCH: Ephesians 1:22-23, John 14:1-3, Revelation 19:7-9

Many people today understand the church as a building. This is not a biblical understanding of the church. The word “church” comes from the Greek word “ekklesia” which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out one”. In Romans 16:5- Paul refers to the church as the body of Christ and not a house. The body of Christ is the church and Jesus Christ is the head. The body of Christ is comprised of two aspects namely;

a) The universal church- this consists of all those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ globally- 1 corinthians 12:13, John 3:16, Ephesians 5:23-27

b) The local church- these are a group of those who believe in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who worship in the same locality and probably under a single denomination- Gal 1:1-2, 1 Cor 15:9, Gal 1:13

2) THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH- 1 cor 3:11

We see three distinct groups of people in the bible: Jews, Gentiles and the church- 1 Cor 10:31-33, Gal 3:26-29. The wall of separation between Jews and Gentile is torn down and they are one body- Eph 2:14-16, Gal 3:26-29

a) Jesus Christ – 1 cor 3:11, Ephesians 2:20

b) The church came by revelation of the anointed one- Jesus Christ – Matthew 16:18- this is not talking about Peter as a person but the revelation of the rock, the cornerstone and the Christ through the man Peter.

3) SOME MAJOR ROLES OF THE CHURCH IN THIS AGE-

a) To preach and win souls- Mark 16:15-18 , Luke 19:10, 1 Tim 1:15

b) To make disciples in all nations- Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:14, Ephesians 5:1-2

c) To glorify God- Psalm 96:1-9, 2 Cor 4:13-15, Romans 15:8-9

d) To bring down God’s kingdom – Matthew 6:9-10, Matthew 5:14-16

e) To resolve conflicts and serve as court- Matthew 18:15-20, 1 cor 6:1-8

f) To strengthen and edify- Ephesians 4:11-14, Acts 6:1-7

g) For fellowship – 1 cor 11:23-26, 1 thess. 5:11, 1 John 3:11