They say they are doing fine when, in reality, they are dying. Don’t give up now.”. Unedited Transcript. He means, Obey your orders! We can sing our worship songs perfectly. The church is a body under the control of the Head, and what a tragedy it is when the human body refuses to respond to the direction of the head. Scripture does not tell us specifically, but many Bible scholars believe they could be the godly seed of Seth. We can never understand this body that exists in human society unless we view it as more than an organization. All rights reserved. It’s our cinematic crusade film, A Rush of Hope. Church Definition in the New Testament . The Bible does not owe its existence to the Catholic Church, but to the authority, power and providence of God. Repent and turn to me again. Let’s go ahead and greet a couple of groups that we have not talked about before. But a problem was developing that only Jesus could see: they were not fulfilling their purpose. It is a church that has no other "holy books" or church "traditions" that take the place of the Bible on anything. How does this fit into the purpose and function of the church of whom Christ is the Head? “The lack of evidence does not mean a person at the time didn’t exist. In the […] Purpose: Why Do I Exist? But there can be a spiritual deadness about it all. Maybe the answer to the question does the bible explain why God allows suffering is found here in the person of Jesus Christ. Wake up! A dispensation is defined by Webster as, “a general state or ordering of things” (1). We’ve got a great resource to put in your hands for just such a purpose. Jesus is, in effect, saying, “Stay with me, church. It means that she or he, like 99.99% of the rest of the world at the time, made no impact on the archaeological record.” The church is to both promote the gospel and prepare its members to proclaim the gospel (1 Peter 3:15). Paul on the road to Damascus) to hold the office. May your church be made up of people who, above all, obey Your orders. Let’s be flexible where we can be flexible. 1) it worships the past, 2) it is inflexible and resistant to change, and 3) it often has lazy leadership. Good morning, men! Peter responds by declaring, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). The apostle John gives us two potential reactions to Christ’s return: “And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame” (1 John 2:28 NLT). Whatever Christians do, they should be able to bring glory to God – in their careers, in their marriages and in the choices they make in life. What does he mean? This whole page is a condensed summary of the reason the church exists and statement of what its function should be. If you have known me, you will know my Father too. Do the offices of apostle and prophet still exist in the church today? The church was created to bring pleasure to God and bring glory to his name. We need to be inflexible there. We have always done that, and we always will do that. The church is called to be faithful in sharing the gospel through word and deed. The local church exists for God and for his glory. It is a spiritual organism with a history going right back to Jesus Christ and the apostles. Donate to Harvest today and we will thank you with a copy of A Rush of Hope on DVD. Churches exist to strengthen, challenge, and encourage us in our personal walk with God. The Bible tells us why and for how long the ministry gifts were given to the Church. The church is a body under the control of the Head, and what a tragedy it is when the human body refuses to respond to the direction of the head. It accomplishes this both internally, within the body, and externally, in the world. This passage emphasizes the unity that should exist in the body of … We have small groups, Bible studies, entire ministries dedicated to teaching and equipping believers. What the apostle desires is that we heed our calling; that we renew our commitment to the Lord, who is behind all things, to become individually responsible to tell this radical, revolutionary, life—transforming good news throughout society; that we should invade commercial and industrial life, education and learning, the arts and family life, morals and government with this tremendous, unequaled message. So I thought I’d take a few moments to share why the Church as a building was never the point to Jesus and the early Church: In this passage, Jesus brings His disciples outside Jerusalem and asks them who they think He is (v. 15). Here’s what Jesus said about the problems that were developing: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive – but you are dead. The purpose of the church is to join people of different backgrounds and talents and provide them training and opportunities for God's work. My Life’s Purpose in Scripture Arranged and Paraphrased by Kevin Hamm From the New American Standard Version. One of the realities about the church of today is that there are a large number of believers that are very confused. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief” (verses 2, 3 NLT). That is probably one of the few points on which everyone on all sides of the debate can readily agree upon — their reasons for agreeing may differ, but they do concur that the separation of church and state is one of the key constitutional principles in American history. At the same time, the Orthodox Church does not accept the notion that everyone can properly interpret the Bible … Then we need to strengthen the things that remain. Subject to permission policy, all rights reserved. They think they are doing just great. The church was created to bring pleasure to God and bring glory to his name. Recently, I wrote this piece, encouraging people who love God but who for any number of reasons find themselves outside of a traditional church.. A number of Fundamentalist Christians objected. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Father, help me to see that the only impact I can have in this world is by being faithful to You and to the message that has been given to me. Notice that Jesus said, “If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.” I think how people react to the imminent return of Christ is a true spiritual barometer of where they are with God. This is why Christ Community Church exists. If these marks of spiritual deadness are evident in a church or an individual’s life, here is Jesus’ prescription for spiritual renewal: “Wake up! First, we need to wake up. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Think of the figures the apostle uses for the church in this letter: The church is an army under the command of a King, and an army that will not obey its leader is useless as a fighting force. It took 200 years to build and 700 years later work continues to be done to correct the errors in construction. This church, the church of Sardis, had a great reputation, but no reality. That is not only true of us in a worship service, but it is also true of us in life. That is not only true of us in a worship service, but it is also true of us in life. Jesus told the church of Sardis they were dying, but they didn’t realize it. In the eyes of the world the church is weak, ineffective, out of touch, the enemy of progress—and the list goes on. We always need to be planning for the future. Our phone operators are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to serve you: All Rights Reserved Harvest Ministries 2021. If all Christians have the same Bible, and the same Holy Spirit, should not Christians be able to agree?" 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Follow the divine strategy, not the obvious shallow counsel of people. This Truth comes from Knowing GOD and having a relationship with Jesus Christ as it says in John 14:6-7 Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. Matthew 22:36-40, Genesis 1:27-28, Matthew 28:18-20, Philippians 2:12-13, Ephesians 2:10. Church begins, “We exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things.” The only reason we exist, the onlyreason the worldwide church exists, is to magnify God’s worth. He is making the case that every church must discover the Biblical purpose(s) for existence and maintain clarity and focus on those purposes! This church probably was humming with activity. His answer is, Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Will you help reach the lost? The church exists to bring glory to God. You don’t have to be crippled by your past. They had a name, a name that was known far and wide. Apostles were men who were appointed by Christ through a personal appearing (e.g. When I look around and see all of the opinions of what is right and what is wrong I am encouraged that “blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 3 Reasons Why Jesus Went to Church,Rev. Why On Earth Does The Church Exist ? It does caution people to read it with a solid background knowledge of the rest of Scripture, especially the New Testament, and with a basic understanding of the times which produced Revelation. These are the essentials. Take your direction from the Head of the church. In the Bible we find the words of Jesus to a sick church that wasn’t fulfilling its purpose. Another important detail we should notice is that Scripture does not say that the giants originated from the unions described in Genesis 6; rather, the giants already existed at that time . The book that best helped me understand why there are so many different denominations is Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas. 1:11-12. And not only does the edification of the saints include Bible study, but it also consists of encouraging one another, building up one another and serving one another. The Apostle [Paul] requires the aid of Tradition (2 Thess. Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. Because it was his suffering that brought about our salvation. The church is not expected to devise its own strategy or to set its own goal. The word "church" is mentioned more than 100 times in the New Testament. We can do all the right things outwardly and still be spiritually dying. While it is generally agreed that the ‘church age’ does exist, it is not agreed upon as to its exact nature. The separation of church and state is not only misunderstood, it is also exceedingly important. Part 1 of 5. The church is not an independent organization existing by means of its own strength. And from now on you do know him and have seen him.” To help you search and find thes… It is possible to be in the church and not really believe. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. This is not to say that comfort, evangelism, learning the This church is not a building or a corporation or an invention of human beings. God forbid! 2:15). The Bible does not leave us uninformed when it comes to the purpose and the centrality of the local church. As believers are glorifying God and being built up in the church, they evangelize the world and fulfill the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:18–20). People get hung up on styles of music, embracing new technology and all kinds of things along those lines. What are Christians to do in this hour? How does each of us allow our Lord within us to continue His ministry on earth? We should be inflexible on the essentials, which are the teaching of the Word of God, the worship and glorification of God, and evangelism. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God” (Revelation 3:1–2 NLT). They weren’t slackers. John 3:30. … Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Answer: Scripture says there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). - III. Moreover, the Apostle here refers to the scriptures which Timothy was taught in his infancy. But we also need to be flexible with nonessentials, and by that I mean style. They were sick and dying, and they didn’t even know it. In preparation for the church that I will be starting, I am reading, again, Rick Warren's classic work, The Purpose Driven Church. It is translated from the Greek term ekklesia which is formed from two Greek words meaning "an assembly" and "to call out" or "the called out ones." Why Does God Allow Trials in the Life of the Believer? No one comes to the Father except through me. I say this because when we ask a believer: why does the church exist? We will send you a copy when you donate to Harvest Ministries today. Don’t change the essentials, but be flexible with the way they are expressed. Follow the goal that has been set before you by your Leader. To help you get started, we would love to send you a free Bible and other resources to help you grow in your faith. Jesus Christ will give you a future that’s worth living. People who are dying spiritually usually are the last to know. Outwardly there was every indication of a church on the move. Kyle Norman - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. “Now, a good part of the New Testament was not written in his boyhood: Some of the Catholic epistles were not writt… 1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Welcome to Man in the Mirror’s Men’s Bible Study, where we always have room for one more guy! We could sum it up this way: upward, inward, outward. The church is on this earth for three reasons: 1) the glorification of God, 2) the edification of the saints, and 3) the evangelization of the world. He wrote: “It is quite evident that this passage furnishes no argument whatever that the sacred Scripture, without Tradition, is the sole rule of faith; for, although sacred Scripture is profitable for these four ends, still it is not said to be sufficient. God became human for no other purpose.” That is a bold statement. 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