Episode 76 - The Church
Practical Theology
Matthew 16:13-18, Ephesians 4:1-16
Today, we proclaim and celebrate that We Love God’s People – The Church. And we need to say that out loud because the Church has gotten a bad reputation these days.
The Articles of our Faith, known as The Baptist Faith and Message (2000) describe what we believe about The Church in this way:
VI. The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ (which we joyously did last Sunday morning!), governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth (We have mission teams in Athens, Greece and Maui, HI right now). Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its two scriptural offices are that of pastor/elder/overseer and deacon. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation (this is sometimes referred to as the Church Universal in contrast to the Local body of believers).
We love God’s People because:
1. We are Called Out – Matthew 16:13-18
a. By Him – 1 Corinthians 1:1-2
b. For His Purposes – Ephesians 2:10
2. We are Knit Together – 1 Cor 12:18-27
a. Hebrews 10:19-25
b. Let us – Draw Near; Hold Fast; Consider How
i. We do life together!
c. You are my family!
3. We are Built Up – Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Corinthians 14:26, 40
a. a continuous, on-going process of maturing – 2 Peter 3:17-18
b. 1 Peter 2:1-5
c. Randolph Richards & Brandon O’Brien in Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes “Why go to church? Why worship with a group? Because, in some way we may not fully understand, the Spirit indwells the group in a way the Spirit does not indwell the individual. (We experienced that reality last Sunday morning). We are built together to become one, whole building: a single dwelling for His Spirit. Like it or not, we need each other.”
4. We are Sent In
a. John 17:14-19 – As He went, we go; with Truth
b. Insulated, not isolated! – We must go to them!
c. Matthew 28:18-20 – As you go...make disciples – who
make disciples - disciple makers
d. Because He calls others out through us!
e. Acts 2:46-47 – the early church experienced
this daily!
And then, One Day….
5. We will be Caught Up
a. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
b. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57
We love God’s People – The Church. Where are you in this process?
Is He calling? Have you answered?
Is He calling you to Himself for Salvation?
Is He calling you to this church – to be knit together and built up in this Body?
Are you being knit into this body? What’s holding you back from truly connecting and committing?
Are you being built up? Growing? What’s the barrier?
Are you being sent? Do you see yourself as a sent one?
Are you confident of your future? Is your Hope in Christ? Are you watching the sky – Are you ready to be caught up TOGETHER? Who’s going with you?
Called Out; Knit Together; Built Up; Sent In; and, one day, Caught up – Together – This is why we love God’s People – the Church!
Other podcasts from Woodpile Ministries:
Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692
