Our Most Precious Faith: The Church
Turn to Acts 2. Well, as we begin a New Year, it would be good to let you know where we are going over the next while. We are currently in our fall series Our Most Precious Faith this morning on our statement on the church. And we have two more statements to cover: The Christian Life and Last things and Judgement. Then beginning on Sunday, January 25th (in 3 weeks) we will begin a new series in the book of Romans, though I have not decided on a title yet. Sometimes you will here that it is the hope of every teacher to someday have the privilege to teach through Romans. John Piper taught through the book of Romans from April 26th ’1998 – Dec 24th ‘2006, eight years! I will not put you through that, though if it was John Piper teaching, we would all really enjoy it. But I do hope to get through a good part of Romans from now until the end of summer, with a break in the fall and pick it up again in the New Year and hope to finish later in the spring.
During that time in the fall, Lord willing, we will be taking a look at the Sermon on the Mount, likely a 12–14-week series from Matthew 5-7, which is for my schooling and something that I have been reading up on and studying for some time now, and I trust that this will be an impactful time for the church. I do hope you appreciate as we talk about these things as elders of the importance of gaining an understanding of the entire Word of God. Which cannot be accomplished by jumping around wherever we think there is a problem. But that overtime we all gain a greater knowledge of both God and His Word, and there is not easy way or quick way to accomplish that.
So, this morning we will look at the church—or I should say the chapel and speak to the congregation—or I should say the assembly. And what I wish to do this morning is to take a look at our statement regarding the church. And then try to answer a question that someone asked me last Sunday, what do you see as the greatest threat to the church today? And I am sure that I will not give the final answer, but I do have two things that would concern me about the church today in looking ahead. Again, as I have said before with these statements, that there is no way I can cover word-for-word all that is said in our doctrinal statement, but there are some things that we do need to address this morning. Our statement says this:
THE CHURCH
We believe that the church began on the Day of Pentecost and is the Bride of Christ. (Acts 2:37-47; Ephesians 5:25-27). We also believe that all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ become part of the church. The local church is the gathering of believers for worship, prayer, edification, and witness. Government and discipline are divinely-given responsibilities to the local church, under the leadership of elders. The Lord Jesus Christ is the giver of spiritual gifts for ministry in the church, such as evangelists, pastors, teachers, etc. These gifts are given so that the believers may be equipped for His service and that the church may be built up (1 Corinthians 12:4-27; Ephesians 4:11-16).
We could address these sentences with these questions: When did the church begin? Who makes up the church? How is the church governed? What is the primary function of the church? What are some concerns for the church in the coming days? Why do we love the church? So, when did the church begin? The beginning of the church is easy to see in the New Testament. The news of Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension had spread, and God chose to begin His work among a group of new believers. The Apostle Peter had been preaching in the book of Acts.
“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men, brothers, what should we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.’ And with many other words he solemnly bore witness and kept on exhorting them, saying, ‘Be saved from this crooked generation!’ So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.”
Acts 2:37-42 (LSB)
That is about as straight forward as it gets concerning the church. There are many things that churches do, and I suppose could do in regard to programs for this and that, but we do see the simplicity of the church in these verses with a definite mandate. Hard to argue that everything that is dome as a church really must come under these focused mandates. That there must be a strong connection with conversions, baptising believers, teaching, fellowship, and breaking of bread. Elim Bible Church is not a “frilly” church, nor does it need to be. The strength of a church should be centred on these things, strong teaching, very close fellowship, and the breaking of bread. And if a church is not striving for these things, it is some way is missing the mark biblically as a church, for this is simply how the early church began, this is the grass roots.
And I hesitate to use a human family to compare, as a church is not a human family and a human family is not a church. But there is this similarity, that if a human family needs excitement and frills to keep close, they are in trouble. The same with a church. Now, there is nothing wrong with some kind of “bigger” event, that takes a close family and they are able to rejoice together. But the “big” event cannot be the focus to make for long-lasting close relationships or bring greater depth within a ministry. In other words, if a regular family cannot have a great time at the supper table, no “big event” or exciting experience is going to help them. The same with a church. The church began when God chose to begin a work amongst a group of people who believed.
Question two, who makes up the church? Well, our statement addresses that, “… all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ become part of the church. The local church is the gathering of believers for worship, prayer, edification, and witness.” Now, we need to say upfront that Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, and therefore, only those who understand this and live this are part of the church. And I realize there are so many topics to cover in this area, such as children and those who come to a church, but are not yet saved. But if Christ is the Head, then, in truth, only those who have come under His Headship are truly part of the church, as the Bible speaks of those in the church as those who are “the called-out ones.” John MacAurther gives this definition of the church:
“A church is a gathering of those who have been called by God to salvation, to redemption, to adoption, to conversion, to justification and ultimately to glorification.”
John MacArthur
So, we can easily say the church is not a building, an institution, a denomination, not a particular style of ministry, but the church is alive, a breathing people who love and serve Jesus Christ. I suppose if I was asked who made up the church, I would say that it is those who love Christ, have a relationship with Christ, and have a deep desire to know God and His Word. Therefore, we could say that Elim Bible Chapel cannot really fail if Elim Bible Chapel is a church that lives by God’s Word and proclaims God’s Word and has within it those who have been saved and therefore have a relationship with Jesus Christ. And this has nothing to do with numbers or programs but has everything to do with the desire of its people to serve Christ. And this also has nothing to do with what the Lord may choose to do here at Elim, whether He chooses to bring revival or whether He chooses to bring persecution; it does not really matter, for the church is called to both live for Christ and to proclaim Christ. And upon that truth, the church cannot fail if it fulfils its purpose no matter what may happen to it.
In other words, a church cannot be judged—like we might judge a business—by its “success” or what we might say “outcome,” but will be judged by God on its obedience to Christ and the gospel, no matter what the outcome. And this does not mean that every church looks the same, as different churches may do different programs or minister to various people, as different churches will have various gifts made up of those who are part of a local church. So, the church is made up of those who know the Head, Christ, through receiving Christ as Lord and Saviour of their lives.
Thirdly. how is the church governed? This is a question we will not spend a lot of time on as we have addressed this before. But we do make this statement, “Government and discipline are divinely-given responsibilities to the local church, under the leadership of elders.” Elim Bible Chapel is definitely not pastor-led. Elim Bible Chapel is governed by our group of five elders, who are each responsible to provide leadership, and who are each responsible to each other as elders. As a pastor, I am one of the five elders. I just happen to be paid and happen to work here full-time, but I am no more in leadership than the other elders. This is so vital as one person is only gifted in so many ways, and it is the combined giftedness and wisdom of a plurality of men that is so beneficial to a church. Pastor Kevin Mahon at Peoples used to say of the elders’ board, that altogether we make one really good Christian, and I trust that is what we strive for here. Therefore, together, the elders are responsible to lead the church and to oversee the ministries within the church. And especially hands-on to be concerned about the spiritual direction of the church, which means to deal with false teaching, disunity, sin issues, discipline, and to have a great love for those within the body.
What is the primary function of the church? This is what our church statement says:
“The Lord Jesus Christ is the giver of spiritual gifts for ministry in the church, such as evangelists, pastors, teachers, etc. These gifts are given so that the believers may be equipped for His service and that the church may be built up.”
We could say that the primary function of the church is to use the individual gifts that we have been given to grow the whole body, understanding that within the church there are those who may be as Paul taught:
“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14 (LSB)
And we see differences in churches that have even a very similar belief, yet they are made up of different individuals who have differing gifts. One of the things that I have noticed with Elim Bible Chapel is that Elim is not concerned that various ministries survive for the sake of them surviving. The focus is more on the individuals who have a heart and passion for a particular ministry, and therefore, as people come forward, various ministries are able to thrive and grow. We see this in the Bible as well in the early churches, as they are often commended for different things. And there is no carbon copy ministry plan for each of the churches outside of the mandated things we have already talked about teaching, fellowship, and breaking of bread. There are some guidelines that the Apostle Paul gave to Timothy which are helpful for us today to make sure we keep on track biblically. Some great comments which apply so much to church-life.
Hold to the standard of sound or biblical words (2 Tim 1:13). In other words, make sure that both as a church and individually as believers we are careful to always be biblical in our thinking and direction. The church is not man-made ideas, but the church comes directly under the guidance of the Word of God.
Guard the treasure which has been entrusted to you (2 Tim 1:14). In other words, to always consider our relationship with Christ as a great treasure, understanding that it has been entrusted to us, in that it was given to us as a church for a purpose. Never can we take for granted this great privilege given to us called Elim Bible Chapel here in Arkona.
Entrust truth to faithful men (2 Tim 2:2). In other words, the training of others must be a priority. As D. A. Carson said that we must commit to learn all we can about the will of God from the Word of God and then to do all we can to achieve it. This means that there is little excuse for not studying the Word, which leads us to the next focus.
Study to show thyself approved (2 Tim 2:15). Study not for knowledge only, but study that affects our character.
Correcting those who oppose (2 Tim 2:25). This takes knowledge, it also takes courage, and it also takes great love as we are to do this with patience and kindness.
To be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:17). That as believers we must see ourselves as accountable to God, for He is the One who has gifted us and has given to each of us unique works that are required of us, and therefore, we need to equip ourselves so that we can do these better. In other words, if I am a preacher, I need to become a better preacher. If I am a Sunday School teacher, I need to become a better Sunday School teacher. If I am a worship leader, I need to become a better worship leader. If I look after children, I must learn to do this better. And this is not all about skill—though that is part of it—but it is also about a deeper Christian character. In other words, young leader that knows more is better. But a youth leader that is growing deeper in Christ and in Christian character is much better again. Good to always consider your giftedness as a gift from God, but also as something given to us that we are accountable for. Thinking about God asking, what did you do with the unique gift that I gave to you? Second Timothy 4:1 says that we will be judged by God for the gifts we have been given.
What are some concerns for the church in the coming days? As I said at the beginning, I was asked this by someone last week, what do you see as the greatest threat to the church today? And I would answer that I would not know. I am sure for all of us at work, within our families, and in church-life, there are times when a particular challenge comes into our lives where we might say, boy, I didn’t see that coming. And of course, God knew, but we did not. So, I might describe this to you as what I might perceive as a “threat” to the church, maybe not knowing the “greatest” threat that God may bring. So, turn to Romans 12, which is a passage where Paul is writing to the church in Rome. And he has much to say to them in the entire chapter about church life as it is all about gifting and church ministry. And I am sure that if we all read this chapter this morning and were asked which do you think is the greatest threat? we might pick out different verses. Now there are a few that I am going to read for you, and I will choose specifically that may describe a greater threat today. Romans 12, beginning at verse 9:
9 Let love be without hypocrisy—by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good. This could certainly be a threat within the church, a hypocritical lifestyle. As obviously, Paul needed to confront some in this church about practising a double life.
10 [B]eing devoted to one another in brotherly love, giving preference to one another in honor. This could be a threat, the problem of individualism in the church. As obviously, Paul had to exhort some within this church to not be so self-absorbed but participate and surround yourself with those within the church. As there is every expectation that when you are part of a church, these are those you most love
11 [N]ot lagging behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Here, Paul seems to have to give some of them a “kick-in-the-pants.” Some of your Bibles will say, do not lag behind in “zeal” or being “zealous.” I might say to the hockey player on the ice, “Hey! Don’t be sloppy out there!” As my dad used to say to me every time I walked out of the house with my hockey equipment, Marco, keep your head up.
12 [R]ejoicing in hope, persevering in affliction, being devoted to prayer. I like this one as Paul really pins hope and trusting in God through prayer versus affliction that a church may face
- this is really a spiritual joy amongst hardship
- but hardship that seems to have no bearing on the church’s spiritual outlook
- a church that responds to challenges and yet never gives up … finally …
13 [C]ontributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality. This is the challenge to be generous both in giving to the ministry and the needs of others, as well as to being hospitable to others. And I would suggest this is all a good list, and Paul lists other things as well, that could be a threat such as don’t be conformed to the world (vs 2), don’t be proudful (vs 3), and be of the same mind—in other words, the threat of disunity (vs 16). And we could spend a Sunday on each of these, maybe that is why it took Piper eight years to get through Romans. But if I had to choose from this list and obviously these were concerns within the Roman church as Paul had to mention them, I would choose as a threat today (vs 11).
“[N]ot lagging behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”
Romans 12:11 (LSB)
If I had to describe this as a threat, I would say the threat of lethargy in the church, or I guess we could say the “lack of zeal within the church.” And the danger here is that the cause of the lethargy may not be because the church has the wrong doctrines or beliefs. In fact, it would seem that as the going gets tougher in the years to come, those who do not hold to solid biblical truth will likely soon become non-existent anyway. But there may be an issue with right orthodoxy, yet without right orthopraxy. Right orthopraxy means to do the rights things and not just hold to the right beliefs, and specifically in regard to this verse in Romans 12, not having a great amount of diligence for the Christian life. I mentioned this briefly last week about King Herod. Remember when he had heard about the wisemen coming to Jerusalem, it says that Herod was troubled by the news of Christ. So, he had all the chief priests and scribes of the people and inquired of them where the Child would be born, and he found out that it was in Bethlehem. The next thing he did was to speak with the wisemen, asking them about the timing of the star. And the reason he was doing this was because if he knew the time that they had first seen the star—believing that this would reveal when the Child was born—he then would know how old the Child was. Now, the reason Herod did all this was so that he could come up with a plan to destroy the Child because of the threat to him as King.
Now, we do not have the desire to destroy or purposely oppose Christ. But what we learn from Herod is that “belief” at least some kind of “belief,” of which Herod had, for why would he ask about the prophecies and ask about the star if he did not believe they held any truth? And yet his belief did not translate into a changed heart and a passion for Jesus Christ. And I think within the church is that we can believe that which is right—and I hope you know that we cannot stress here enough the importance of right belief as we spend a great deal of time teaching what the Word of God says—but though a person may know what is right, it does not necessarily mean that a person will then do the right thing or that he will be zealous for Christ. This may be a little of what James is referring to when he speaks about a dead faith. We might use the term, they are getting a little too comfortable in the pew, and that may simply be referring to a lack of passion for ministry or a lack of passion for heart-change, or as Paul describes here as “lagging behind in diligence.”
That is quite the term “lagging behind in diligence.” Now who wants to be described as someone who lags behind. Imagine choosing hockey players for Team Canada for the upcoming Olympics and the coaches asked each player they were considering, what do you bring to the team? And a few guys said, well, I will sort of lag behind. Off the team! Thomas Schreiner describes this as slackness, inactiveness, or wastefulness; as opposed to being diligent, earnest, and disciplined. Someone who has their nose to the grindstone spiritually—a deep-seated, sincere, active, working, alive faith in Christ. Imagine if you were given an assignment, say at work, and you were only given only so much time to accomplish it. Well, that is true of the church. And we as individuals that make up the church have been given an assignment for such a time as this. In other words, this is our chance, so we don’t want to blow it!
- A. Carson explains two great desires of the church, and I think that it is good for us to be challenged by two passions of the Christian to sort of test our diligence for the ministry and for Christ. And I want to put them in the form of questions, understanding that I am preaching to myself this morning as well. And let us consider these questions personally and also corporately as a church. How keen are we—personally and corporately—in seeing Christ’s power and authority shown in us? This is a very convicting question because it means action and it means change. The other question is one that we may not even think about a lot, but I believe it also teaches us something about our diligence for Christ. How eager are we—personally and corporately—for the Lord’s return? This too is an important question as the answer determines where my treasure truly is. So, we need to consider these questions deeply because even churches that have the right belief and have a very good ministry will soon die in its effectiveness without zeal, passion, and diligence for Christ.
Finally, why do we love the church? I can share from my personal experience why I love the church. I sat in church with my Dad on the front pew as a little guy, my Mom was in the choir, my Dad led the choir. Could not have been prouder. Not sure if there is a good kind of proud, but if there is, that was it! I saw many great examples before me growing up, wonderful role models. I was saved during a boy’s club in the church. I was baptised in church. I noticed Anne in church, though she did not notice me as quickly. I was married to Anne in church. My boys were baptised and married in church. I was able to say good-bye to my Mom and Dad in the church. It was at church that I was convicted to go to Africa on a short-term mission’s trip which led me to eventually become a pastor.
My mind is often redirected in the right way when I am at church. I find that my spirit is renewed and uplifted at church. I am often reminded of my dependency upon God at church and I am reminded at church of my independence of the world. I am often assured of who I am in Christ at church. I am often fired up to both live and proclaim truth at church. And I do not say these things because I am some kind of spiritual giant, because I am not, but I say them because I really enjoy and love the church, and I do count it such a privilege to be part of the church.
So, men, be the drivers to church, the ones who want to be there early and often. Make your best friendships at church. Not merely to say you have been to church, but that it is part of your walk with God. That church is an integral part of the spiritual growth of your character and that of others to whom you minister to and encourage. Ladies, make a big deal about church. That it becomes your heart and driving force of your energies. Where you know you are protected and loved, and where the teaching and ministry is vital to your spiritual growth in Christ. Where you are revitalized to minister to those the Lord has placed before you. And young people, stand firm in the truth that you learn and discover at church. Learn from those who are older than you, from those who deeply love Christ. That church becomes your home and stability. That church is where you make your closest friendships and where you help others grow in their faith. Learning to set your hearts on things above and not on the things of this world. And young people know that long after we adults are gone, you must be the passionate leaders of the church.
I would have to say that church is likely one of the greatest blessings that God has given to the Christian, amen? Hard to think of a greater gift to us outside of Christ Himself and His Word. I am always careful to remind us that in heaven it is about Christ and not about our individual likes and favourite things—no hockey or for some of you no golf or no gardening, or whatever it is. Not even sure about our spouses, how that all works, as we know there is no marriage in heaven. And not sure how it all works even with our families. But the saints and the church, so good to get very attached to church folks. So, I wonder if when we get to heaven that we might be looking for others from Elim, as our connections can become so spiritually close, Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Romans 1:9-12, “For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how without ceasing I make mention of you, always in my prayers earnestly asking, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be strengthened; that is, to be mutually encouraged, while among you, by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Galatians 6:10, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Romans 12:10, “… being devoted to one another in brotherly love, giving preference to one another in honor.”
Let’s pray. As we close this morning, let me read the prayer of the Apostle Paul for the church at Ephesus. And may I personalize this prayer for us as a church this morning. “For this reason [we] bow [our] knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that He would give [us], according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in [our] hearts through faith; and that [we], being firmly rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints [here at Elim] what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that [we] may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or understand, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.” And all God’s people said, amen.