What Is The Biblical Mission Of The Church?

WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL MISSION OF THE CHURCH?

The church is here for a Divine purpose. I want us to learn that purpose so that as we live from day to day we can have that purpose clearly as our motive to live.

Let us look at Acts 1:8 and Matt. 28:20

I. IT IS GIVEN TO US TO PREACH AND TEACH THE WORD OF GOD. The Bible tells us about the power of the word of God.

2 Tim. 4:2-3 Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear.

Tit 1: 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Heb. 4:12-13 “For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.”

The Word of God changes our minds so that we can think right and live right.

II. WE ARE TO PROVIDE A PLACE TO PRAY.

Is 56:7these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."

MT 21:13"It is written," he said to them, "`My house will be called a house of prayer” LK 19:46 He told them, "The Scriptures declare, ’My Temple will be a place of prayer,’ Acts 6:4 Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word."

Prayer changes our hearts so that we will worship God. If this church were to survive on your prayer life how would it be doing in you estimation?

III. WE ARE TO BRING PEOPLE INTO WORSHIPPING GOD AND HIM ONLY.

Acts 2:42, 46, 47 “They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer.” Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I COR 15:3-8 “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all, he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

We are all longing for a place to worship God and the church is set apart for this purpose only.

IV. WE ARE TO DEFEND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.

Jude 1:3 “Dearly loved friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the truth of the Good News. God gave this unchanging truth once for all time to his holy people.”

Jude’s original intention was to write a general treatment of the doctrine of salvation, probably dealing with such subjects as man’s sin and guilt, God’s love and grace, the forgiveness of sins and the changed life-style that follows new birth. Here he used of the body of truth held by believers everywhere, the gospel and all its conclusion. This truth was under attack and had to be defended. The truth has finality and is not subject to change.

1:17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

1 TIM 4:6-11If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things.