“Why is
the church important?” (Eastside Baptist/Sun
AM/September 22, 2013)
1.
The local church is Christ’s institution.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I
will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matt.
16:18, NIV)
2.
Christ gave his life to purchase the church for
himself.
25 Husbands, love your
wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26
to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27
and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or
any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Eph. 5:25-27, NIV)
3.
The local church is God’s means of
accomplishing the biblical mission for this age.
a. The
great commission is the responsibility of local churches.
18 Then Jesus came to them
and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching
them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20, NIV)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on
you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8, NIV)
46 He told them, "This
is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third
day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached
in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are
witnesses of these things. (Lk. 24:46-48, NIV)
19 Consequently, you are no
longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also
members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (Eph.
2:19-20, NIV)
b.The
great commission results in the establishment of more local churches.
2 While they were
worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3
So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent
them off. (Acts 13:2-3, NIV)
23 Paul and Barnabas
appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,
committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. (Acts 14:23, NIV)
41 Those who accepted his
message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that
day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:41-42, NIV)
4.
The local church has been given the
responsibility for proclaiming and upholding the Word of God.
14 Although I hope to come
to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am
delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's
household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of
the truth. (1 Tim. 3:14-15, NIV)
5.
The local church is essential for Christian
ministry and growth in the Christian life.
a. It is
essential for making disciples (Matt 28:18–20) who are being taught everything
that Christ instructed us.
b.It is
the incubator for Christian growth, discipleship, and the development of the
fruit of the Spirit.
c. It is
one of God’s primary means for spurring us on to faithfulness and perseverance
in the faith.
23 Let us hold unswervingly
to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let
us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but
encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb.
10:23-25, NIV)
15 "If your brother or
sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they
listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not
listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established
by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If they still refuse
to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the
church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18
"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19
"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything
they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Matt.
18:15-20, NIV)
6.
The church was instituted to bring honor and
glory to Jesus Christ and ultimately to God.
Colossians 1:18-20 18 And
he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn
from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all
his fullness dwell in him, 20
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or
things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Ephesians 3:20-21 20 ¶
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Main Idea: The
church is important to Christ; it should be important to his disciples.
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