Building the Church Part 3.
What is the Church?
Many people today understand the church as a building.
This is not Biblical. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.”
It cost Jesus everything and He gave this warning.
Luke 14:25-33.
.. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.........
In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples....
The material God builds with.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29.
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
The workmen.
Ephesians 4:11-16.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Doctrinal soundness is our foundation.
Titus 1:9-11.
He 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. Rebuking Those Who Fail to Do Good For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group.They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
Doctrinal soundness in vital areas, must not be sacrificed for the sake of a superficial unity.
In essentials unity
In non-essentials liberty
In all things love
The foundation doctrines of the Church.
Hebrews 5:12-14.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
For everyone who partakes only
of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Many professing Christians are not able to discern between good and evil and for that matter whole Church denominations as well.
The foundation doctrines of the Church.
Hebrews 6:1-6.
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works
and of faith toward God,
of the doctrine of baptisms,
of laying on of hands,
of resurrection of the dead,
and of eternal judgment........
The foundation doctrines of the Church.
2 timothy 4:1-5.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
The plans for building the Church.
The plans for building the Church.
The Devil has a plot
But
God has a plan
John 10:10.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
God’s plan.
God’s pattern or plan for the Tabernacle.
Hebrews 8:5.
They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
Seeing God’s plan is true vision.
Once we have spiritual sight we then have the choice of what to set our eyes on, the seen or the unseen.
2 Corinthians 4:18.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Hebrews 12:1-2.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame.
God’s plan.
Paul’s vision
Paul lost his physical sight for 3 days but received his spiritual sight
Acts 26:19.
So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
Acts 20:22-24.
And now compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardship are facing me.
However I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
What a vision, hardship/ suffering….
God’s plan.
Sometimes the plan God has for us is not very appealing to the flesh.
When Paul was shipwrecked he prayed and the Lord spared all on board, but Paul was headed for Rome, for imprisonment and ultimately for beheading.
Philippians 3:8-15.
..for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ .. I want to know Christ and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings.. Not that I have already obtained all this.. But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me.. forgetting what is behind… I press on toward the goal..All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.
Acts 9:15-16.
But the Lord said to Ananias, Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.
God’s plan.
In the ministry I gave on “Who are you” and “What are you doing”
We saw that who we are is far more important than what we do, and in fact what we do should flow from a life that is surrendered to Christ.
Now activity, busyness and involvement in ministry is not evidence of a persons spirituality, you can see in Matthew 7 that there will be those who say Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in your name and cast out demons and performed miracles and he will say depart from me you workers of iniquity, I do not know you.
But having said that, if you are a true disciple of Christ, it will be seen by what you do.
So I want to ask you.
What are you doing?
What is your Ministry
How are you serving?
God’s plan.
Stewardship
Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else.
Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Someone Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone else did far more than a normal person's share of the work.
Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list, "Let Someone Else do it." Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; "Someone Else can work with that group."
It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference.
Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do. Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did?
God’s plan.
God’s pattern or plan for your life.
If you want to build a house you first have to get a plan drawn up, if you want to make a dress you need a pattern to follow, so let’s see if God’s Word gives us some directions or instructions in this regard, but to speak of Jesus as a pattern of how we should live, and what we should do, is a mental block to some, so we will stay with Paul and see if scripture supports us using him as an example.
1 Corinthians 4:16.
Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son, whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
God’s plan.
God’s pattern or plan for your life.
Philippians 3:17.
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
Philippians 4:9.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
2 Timothy 1:13.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
God’s plan and Leonard Ravenhill.
God’s pattern or plan for your life.
A W Tozer on Ravenhill’s life.
Those who know of Leonard Ravenhill recognize in him the religious specialist, the man sent from God to battle the priests of Baal on their own mountain top, to shame the careless priest at the altar, to face the false prophet, and to warn the people who are being led astray by him. Such a man as this is not an easy companion.
He insists on being a Christian all the time and everywhere. That marks him out as different. Why do we have men of such fiery swords as Ravenhill? They are sick inside when they see the children of heaven acting like the sons of earth. To such men as these, the church owes a debt too heavy to pay.
God’s plan and Leonard Ravenhill.
God’s pattern or plan for your life.
Paul never glamorized the gospel. It is not success, but sacrifice. It’s not a glamorous gospel, but a bloody one–a gory gospel, and a sacrificial gospel. Five minutes inside eternity and we will wish that we had sacrificed more, wept more, grieved more, loved and prayed more, and given more. ~
Leonard Ravenhill
Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994) was a Christian evangelist and author who focused on the subjects of prayer and revival. He is best known for challenging the modern church to compare itself to the early Christian Church as chronicled in the Book of Acts.
God’s plan.
Quotes of Leonard Ravenhill.
“Church unity comes from corporate humility.”
“You can’t develop character by reading books. You develop it from conflict.”
“I doubt that more than two percent of professing Christians in the United States are truly born again.”
“Dear God! all our pastors are concerned about is adding one or two members! Or getting another bus to bring the people in! I say again, there can be no revival without travail.”
“Why is there this criminal indifference to the lostness of men? Our condemnation is that we know how to live better than we are living.”
“Entertainment is the devil’s substitute for joy”
“If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified.”
God’s plan, pattern and recipe for your life.
This pattern that Paul calls his disciple Timothy and his other followers to use, is very different to the one offered from modern day pulpits, where a success based Gospel has taken the place of the one of self-denial and sacrifice.
God has a pattern for your life and if you don’t follow his direction the mess you make is your own fault.
You cannot omit ingredients from a recipe and expect good results.
You can even have the right ingredients and mess up if you don’t follow directions eg: if it says 30 minutes with the oven at 100 degrees you can do 15 minutes at 200 degrees.
Yet many Christians ignore vital ingredient and directions for their lives shown clearly in God’s Word and blame others and even God when they make a mess of their lives.
God’s plan, pattern and recipe for your life.
Jeremiah 29:11.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
1 Timothy 2:1-4.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
God’s plan.
How do you view yourself ?
Does God have a plan for you ?
How do you view your fellow believers ?
Do you have a responsibility towards them ?
How do you view God ?
Does what He wants matter to you ?
God’s plan.
Somebody Else
There is a clever young fellow named “Somebody Else”, there is nothing this fellow can’t do.
He is busy from morning ’til way late at night, just substituting for you.
You’re asked to do this, and asked to do that, and what is the ready reply?
“Get somebody else, I’m too busy,
he can do it much better than I!”
There’s so much to do in our service,
so much and the workers so few,
And “Somebody else” is weary and worn, just substituting for you!
So the next time you’re asked to do something worthwhile, come back with this ready reply.
If “Somebody else” can lend time and support,
you can bet your last dime, so can I.
–Anon
God’s plan.
The Parable of Responsibility
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody were members of a group.
There was an important job to do and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody would have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry because it was Everybody’s job.
Everybody thought Anybody would do it, but Nobody realized that Anybody wouldn’t do it.
It ended up that Everybody, blamed Somebody, when Nobody did, what Anybody could have done.
God’s plan.
God’s pattern or plan for your life goes far beyond inconvenience.
2 Timothy 2:1-3.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
God’s plan.
Personal: Listening to the audio books “God’s double agent” and “The insanity of God”, I was challenged.
What if I am the answer to someone’s prayer?
Account of Muslim saved in a nation where his people group of 24 million has only 3 Christians.
Account of the 5 Muslim men who met Nick Ripken at the airport.
God’s plan.
Don’t let your lack of resources or ability keep you back from doing what God wants you to do.
John 6:1-13. The boy with five loaves and two fish.
Exodus 4:1-17. Moses and his rod.
1 Samuel 17. David and Goliath.
It is simplistic to say that if God wants something done it will be done.
Ezekiel 22:30-31.
I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.
God’s plan.
Are you unavailable?
1 Kings 17:9-14.
Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.
So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink? As she was going to get it, he called, And bring me, please, a piece of bread. As surely as the LORD your God lives, she replied, I don’t have any bread only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die. Elijah said to her, Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.
God’s plan for you.
You may say God hasn’t spoken to me.
Have you given Him opportunity?
Do you know His voice?
Don’t let fear of criticism, or past offences hold you back.
Luke 7:36-50.
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is, that she is a sinner…
The Carpenter's Tools.
Brother Hammer served as the chairman. The other members of the tool belt informed him that he must leave, because he was too noisy. But brother Hammer said, "If I have to leave this carpenter's shop, then brother Gimlet must go too. He's insignificant and makes a very small impression."
Little brother Gimlet arose and said, "All right, but brother Screwdriver must go also. You have to turn him around and around to get anywhere with him.”
Brother Screwdriver turned to the other tools in the belt and said, "If you wish, I will go, but brother Plane must leave too. All of his work is on the surface; there's no depth to what he does.”
To this brother Plane levelled his terse reply, "Well, then, brother Saw will have to depart too. The changes he proposes always cut too deep.”
The Carpenter's Tools.
Brother Saw complained, saying, "Brother Ruler will have to withdraw if I leave, for he's always measuring other folks as though he were the only one who is right.”
Brother Ruler then surveyed the group and said, "Brother Sandpaper doesn't belong here either. He's rougher than he ought to be, and is always rubbing people the wrong way.”
In the midst of the discussion, the Carpenter of Nazareth walked in. He had come to perform his day's work. He put on His tool belt and went to the workbench to make a pulpit. He employed the ruler, the saw, the plane, the hammer, the gimlet, the screwdriver, the sandpaper, and all the other tools. When the day's work was over, the pulpit was finished, and the carpenter went home. All the accusations against each of these tools were absolutely true, yet the carpenter used every one of them. No matter which tool He used, no other tool could have done the work better.
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