Why Is Church Important? Episode 1 What does a New Testament Church Look Like?

This episode deals with the marks of the New Testament Church as established by Christ. In a time when the Church is often devalued, we need to be reminded that Christ also gave himself for His Church. The need for regenerate membership is paramount to the teaching of the New Testament.

This ministry is sponsored by “Words of Hope”.

Contact us at wordsofsalvationtn@gmail.com

Transcript

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Welcome towards the Salvation as a pastor of more than two decades. We invite you to join us in this series titled, why Is Church Important? We will explore four vital biblical teachings. One, what does a New Testament church look like? Two is church membership. Biblical. Three victims of church hurt. Four the forgotten history of the church. I'd like to preface this series by answering the question, why is church important? A Churchless Christian is an oxymoron. It contradicts biblical teaching, and there is no doubt there are thousands of saved people who have never associated with the Lord's Church. Under the new Covenant established by Christ, the church is critical for Christian life without it. Exhortation to worship, discipleship, missions and fellowship would be meaningless. The idea that a Christian does not need a church denies the New Testament practice of our divine service apart from participation in a local church. Most importantly, the church is central to the work of Christ. The great mystery of the gospel is that the Son of God left his father in heaven to become a sacrifice for sin, yet also to take for himself an unworthy bride here on earth. He shed his blood for her. The church is not the margin of God's plan of redemption, but it is at the center of it. While redemption or personal salvation is our first priority, we must realize the importance of the church to the Christian life and the work of Christ. We also need to think carefully about the question of who comprises the church. First. The visible church is the outward manifestation of God's people on earth. It is also the representation of the Kingdom of Christ here on earth. The visible Church is known by those who have entered a covenant relationship with other born again believers and submit to scriptural baptism. They gather for regular worship and sit under the preaching of God's word, who observe the Lord's Supper, receive pastoral oversight from God called elders who engage together in the grand work of the Great Commission. The church is not like other social, professional or even religious societies. It is not owned by any college corporation or commune. Nor does it take its marching orders from any tribe or tradition or even governing board. Ultimately, the church is not yours, theirs, or mine, but it belongs to Jesus Christ. The church therefore is not a building made with brick and mortar, but a group of people. Sinners who have been saved by God's grace and gathered locally as one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism to worship the one true God. Ephesians four, four through six. The biggest complaint I have heard in my ministry is that the church is full of narrow-minded hypocrites. Most of the time, this is an excuse for some bad apples or for others to excuse themselves from their divine purpose in serving God. Yes, there is imperfection in anything involving human nature. Her. However, that does not negate the responsibility of God's people coming together with one singular purpose to worship Jesus Christ. If the word of God is properly discerned, then hypocrisy will soon be exposed. However, I'd like to add this, a closed mind will soon lead to closed doors. Now let us take a look at what a New Testament church looks like. I'm not making reference to some mystical, universal, invisible body, but I refer to the local visible. Called out company of Born again baptized believers in Jesus Christ. I'm not talking about the radio or TV church. I'm not making reference to some mystical, universal, invisible body, but rather the local visible church. The word ecclesia literally means assembly or called out congregation. The word appears 114 times in the Bible. Church or churches most refer to the local assembly. It does appear in the aggregate or institutional sense. In other words, like the example of marriage. Marriage is an institution. I'm a married man but that does not mean I belong to every married woman. The church is an institution and sometimes, and quite often referred to that way in the Bible, the error of universalism or the belief in a universal, invisible church. In other words, if you're saved, you're automatically in this. Invisible Church emerged out of the Protestant Reformation as an explanation of denominational existence. The church is not a lodge, a club, a civic or social organization. It's not a help shelter though. We help people. It's not an entertainment facility or a motivational. Once a week, pick me up. It's not even a building. It's God's people gathered together as a local body in Christ to worship, in spirit and in truth to fulfill his great commission. It is where the true gospel is to be preached in power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit, and it has been in existence since the time Jesus established it. A visible Church is a congregation of born again baptized believers associated by covenant and the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ governed by his laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by God's word. And it's only scriptural officers or bishops or pastors and deacons, and those qualifications are given to us in the Bible and Timothy and Titus. Paul makes a reference in Ephesians three and 21 Unto him, be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, the church is the greatest institution on the face of the earth. Belonging to the Lord's church is the most honorable privilege that a saved person can have. Peter says in one Peter two and nine, but you are chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of him who have called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Let's look at a few landmarks of what a true New Testament church really is. First of all. There is an absolute necessity for genuine regenerate membership. In other words. To become a part of the Lord's Church, you must first truly be saved. You must have a born again experience of God. Regenerate membership means that the covenant community called the church consists exclusively of true believers, those who have experienced the new birth. This is a fundamental teaching in the word of God. It is something that we must strive to the best of our ability to assure that those entering the church have truly been converted and have a spiritual experience with Jesus Christ. Eyes. When Peter was preaching on the day of Pentecost in Acts two and 38, a very familiar verse, Peter's message was, repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and he shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. And you read through that chapter how that God bless them. And in the 47th verse it says, and praising God and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the church daily, such as should be saved. Sadly, many churches coddle and comfort people in their sin rather than calling them to repentance and to conform to Jesus Christ. This low standard for membership Dems the church's radiance. And offers false advertisements about God. And Jesus takes these sins very seriously. And on the other hand, we cannot be so exclusive that we cannot relate the good news of the gospel in a way that people can understand. We must be relevant to our day and age without compromise. So the church consists of regenerate membership born again believers. Secondly, it belongs to Jesus Christ and Him alone. He is the head and founder who established his church during his personal ministry and the gospel of Matthew chapter 16, Jesus responding to a question where he asked the disciples, who do men say that I am? And Peter responded to him, thou art the Christ and God had revealed that to him. And Jesus makes this statement in the 18th verse, he says, and I say unto thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. After Jesus declares that God the father had revealed the truth to Peter, he says. You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church. Now there's two interesting Greek words here. The word for Peter Petros is a masculine noun. That means a detached stone or a stone that might be thrown easily or easily moved. The word rock. Next mentioned is a different Greek word. Petra, a feminine noun that means a massive rock or cliff, and therefore something foundational. The difference in the two terms may suggest that Jesus was contrasting himself with Peter. That is, Jesus was saying, you are the small rock. But I am the foundation of the church. Now. This view finds support throughout the Bible in many other passages that represent Jesus Christ as the foundation. One Corinthians three and 11, one Corinthians 10 and four, some argue that Peter is the rock upon which Jesus built his church and transferred to Peter the title of the first Pope. It claims to be the one true church, but as we have seen, identifying the rock as Peter is not a valid interpretation. The church is the greatest establishment on the face of the earth. It is of divine origin. Jesus is the chief cornerstone. He is the foundation, and the church is the pillar and the ground of truth built upon Jesus Christ. And I fear many today do not view the church as a divine establishment of God. They are looking for a social gathering or a guilt release rather than a place of worship. And let's notice a few other marks of the New Testament Church. As we have mentioned, Jesus Christ is the head and the law giver, Ephesians one and 22, and has put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, the ec, the local assembly, the called out. Church members have, we have stated, I want to reiterate this. Born Again believers only saved by grace. The regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, John three and five, Titus three and five is not by works of righteousness. What are some of the requirements upon entering the church? Believers are to be baptized and that by immersion. Then obedience to all the New Testament laws Mark 16 and 16, Galatians three and 27, baptism does not save, but it is a symbolic picture of what has happened in one soul being dead under sin and made alive under Christ. So that is the threshold into the church being baptized by the right authority, by the right church. Its only rule of faith and practice is the Bible, the word of God. We're not governed by any set of rules or doctrine. We are governed by God's word. Two. Timothy three and 16 says, all scripture is given by inspiration of God in his profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, and righteousness. The ordinances of the church believers baptism that is followed by the Lord's Supper. These are commandments that Jesus left and he left them to the church with the authority to administer those. The officers of the church, bishops or pastors and deacons is spoken about in one Timothy three, one and eight. And the government of the church is to be congregational. It is not to be run by men, all members are equal, and Christ is to be the head of the church. And let's notice some interesting scriptures about this. Matthew 20 and 25. But Jesus called to them and said, you know that the princes of the Gentiles exercised dominion over them. And they that are great exercise authority upon them, but it shall not be so among you. But whosoever will be great among you. Let him be your minister and whosoever will be chief among you. Let him be your servant it's not to be a board or a government to exercise authority and decision making, but it is a pure democracy. What are some of the functions of a New Testament Church? The church is to reflect Christ, to teach the people of God. Spread the gospel, administer the ordinances, warn the loss, promote fellowship and love. Reach out to the community. Jesus said, you are the light of the world and a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. So I know there are many things that go against the word of God, but if you are in a church. That is not following these standards. You need to seek out a true New Testament church. Our purposes of worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship, fellowship, all these things are of a divine. Origin and we have a mission. Our primary purpose in becoming part of a church is that we gather together publicly and worship Jesus Christ and fulfill his commission. Yeah, the church is called The Household of God, the Holy Temple, A habitation of God. We have a divine mission, and the church has been empowered by God. And on the day of Pentecost, the church was accredited by the Holy Spirit. Jesus established his church and he empowered his church when the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, and he has promised that the Holy Spirit will remain with his people, with his church until the day that he returns. So if you're seeking out a true church, search your heart. Follow the leadership of the spirit, search the word of God, find these principles for yourself. So let's deal with a couple other situations today. Why should we not recognize organizations that deviate from these standards? Amos three and three says, can two walk together except they be agreed. Paul reprimanded the Galatians on doctrinal error. He called them foolish. Galatians three and one oh foolish Galatians, who have bewitched you that you should not obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth crucified among you. When a religion does not adhere to the major teachings of God's word, we should separate ourselves and stand for the truth. Second Corinthians six and 17 wherefore come out from among them and be separate, sayeth the Lord and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. We have a mission and a purpose to worship Christ. To live for Christ, to support the spread of the gospel. To see people saved and Jesus desires that all would come unto him. And be saved. He refers to the church as his espouse bride that he will take his bride unto himself. He says in second Corinthians 11 and two, for I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chase virgin to Christ. The church is a chosen treasure. In Titus two and four, who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. We live in an age of deception. In spite all of these things we're talking about today. The biggest problem I have. Is those that have perverted the gospel, those who do not point people to Jesus Christ for salvation. And if you're a saved child of God, you should have a problem with that too, because Jesus is the source of salvation. And we can only point people to Christ. There were false apostles, deceitful workers in the day of Jesus. There were people that followed Paul around in his ministry trying to overturn the work that he'd done, but we just keep pointing people to Christ. If our focus is on Christ, all of these other things will fall into place. How do you know if you're in the right church? The Holy Spirit will bear witness to his truth. Do you believe you're in a Bible believing Bible teaching Holy Spirit Church? If you're not, find one. Seek God. Find a church that requires the members. To be born again that ask for a testimony upon ammunition. A church that practices the scriptural doctrines that are taught in the Bible that have been handed down through the ages. I'm talking about the ones that the apostles were willing to die for. I'm talking about the ones, if you find in history, and we'll get to this in a later lesson, that people throughout the ages were willing to give their lives for this cause. We have lost the vision and the importance of what Christ's church really means, what it stands for. I believe his church will be in the world proclaiming the gospel to the day he returns. I'm glad to be a part of a New Testament church. I'm glad that the church that I'm a part of aligns with these principles. And I encourage you to seek out the truth for yourself. And when we get to the end of these lessons where we talk about the forgotten history, we're going to talk about the names that the church has been given down through the centuries. God bless you is our prayer If you wanna search out these principles, if you have questions, please contact us at words of Salvation tn@gmail.com. Thank you.