More Roles of our Local Churches
This entry will include three additional functions of our local churches. Each is very important.
Evangelism
The church is a center of work for evangelism. It is clear—Christ’s mission for the church is to reach the world with the Gospel.
Mt 28:18 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.”
It is our mission, and it is wonderful that He promises to be with us always as we work toward his purpose.
Helping the needy
Churches are critical to charity within communities. In Romans 15 we read about members of the early gentile church family sending offerings to Jerusalem to aid the poor. We see many wonderful examples from today’s churches. Each year offerings are sent throughout communities to help those in need. This is especially evident in times of crisis. In recent years, a notable example was in the months following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the southern United States. It was the church families that opened their doors to assist and care for the many people escaping from the regions destroyed by the storms. Similar examples can be seen every year around the world – Christians reaching out to help those in need.
Ro 15:25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
Stewardship – Giving
The church is where we can live out stewardship of our resources according to God’s will. God has an expectation that we share a portion of the resources and money he has blessed us with. The local church provides a focal point for our giving. It enables our offerings to serve the Kingdom.
Paul at times reminded the local churches of this. He encouraged them to keep an attitude of love as they gave their gifts to God.
2Co 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
It is in through our local churches that we can participate in God’s work. These basic functions of the church enable us:
- Worshiping
- Growing in the Word of God
- Fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ
- Praying together
- Working in evangelism
- Providing to those in need
- Giving – following God in our stewardship
Many blessings,
Larry
| Basic Functions of the Church
In this and the next posting we simply list basic functions of our church and connect them to scriptures. We talked before about two formal ordinances of the local church – baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Now we look at scriptures that remind us of additional important work of the local church.
The church serves God in many ways:
Worship
It is a place where we worship, which is to glorify God.
Eph 3:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
In this worship, He is glorified, and we praise him because we belong to God.
1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
God’s Word
The church is where we can receive preaching and teaching from the Word of God – the Bible
This is critical. We see in Paul’s second letter to Timothy how Paul placed great importance on teaching and preaching. He was commanding Timothy to “preach to Word.” We all need that instruction so that we can grow in Christ and have positive direction in our life for God.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Fellowship
It is our location for fellowship with God and other believers. This was true in the early first century church, too.
Ac 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Prayer Together
Our churches provide a powerful center to bring our prayers together. We see it in the verse above, Acts 2:42. Christ taught his disciples of the power of asking of him together in prayer.
Mt 18:18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Next time we look at more works that our local churches serve:
- Evangelism
- Charity
- Stewardship
Blessings,
Larry
| Benefits of Church Attendance
Attending church is a true blessing. From attendance at our local churches we receive many benefits.
First and most important, Jesus promised to be with us when we are meeting together.
Mt 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Size of the church is not the important issue. What is important is that we come together to worship our Lord.
In addition, the following are some of the benefits we receive when we attend church with our brother and sister Christians:
- Opportunity to worship
- Fellowship with other believers
- Lessons from the Bible are preached and taught to us
- Lord’s Supper
- Prayer with and for each other
Each of these can be a powerful source of encouragement that we receive from our church. In addition, and perhaps more important, the church is a place where, through these activities, we can be a blessing to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
These and more are basic functions of the church. We will summarize them with related scriptures in the next post.
Many thanks,
Larry | The Local Church—The Body of Christ
The founder of the church was Jesus himself. The passage that most feel connects to the specific point when Jesus did this is Matthew 16:18-19. Jesus made the statement in response to Peter’s robust answer to Christ about who Jesus is (Matt. 16:15-16)
Mt 16:15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Mt 16:17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 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. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Jesus made it pretty clear that his church was built to last.
His church represents “his body.” Paul describes this well as he instructs the believers at Colosse about the supremacy of Jesus.
Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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.
We are meant to be in community. It is not good for us to try to walk the Christian life alone. Jesus prayed prior to his death that we would be united.
Jn 17:20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
When we meet together, Jesus promised to be with us. Next time we continue with that promise and other benefits from attending our local church.
Blessings,
Larry
| The Local Church
Our local church is very important – a true blessing for all believers. Unfortunately, there are still countries where people are not allowed to meet openly in a local church. That is sad, as attendance in church is something that all of us need.
There are two formal ordinances which the local church is responsible for:
- Baptism
- Communion – The Lord’s Supper
We have been talking about baptism in several postings. Let’s now talk a little about The Lord’s Supper. This is for us Christians a wonderful and truly important part of worship. Later, we will talk about other reasons why attendance at a local church is important for new believers. At this moment, let’s talk about its importance as the place where we can participate in the Lord’s Supper.
First, let’s think about the original Lord’s Supper communion event, when Jesus initiated this communion at the last supper with his disciples.
Lk 22:15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
At this very special last meal with his disciples, he explained the significance of each of the elements of the Lord’s Supper, the bread (representing his body) and the wine (representing his blood) and He instructed them to “do this in remembrance” of him.
Paul, in relaying this wonderful event to other peoples in other places, such as Corinth, reminds us of something very special in Jesus’ words.
1Co 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Paul assures us that this communion of the Lord’s Supper is in remembrance of Jesus, proclaiming his death “until he comes.” Each time we celebrate communion in our worship, we are reflecting, but also anticipating:
- Reflection – remembering our Lord and how he died to pay for our sins
- Anticipating – looking forward to when he will return for us
Each time you are preparing to take communion, focus on preparing your heart for this wonderful pair of purposes – the debt He paid for you and the life you should live now while waiting for his return.
Next post – more on the local church…
Blessings,
Larry | Blessings of Baptism
As we continue our discussion, here are a few more elements relative to baptism.
Forgiveness of sins
Peter was encouraging people in the very early days of the church to accept Christ, and be baptized.
Ac 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
Paul, in his own defense, relays his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, and how Ananias explained the event to Paul. As a part of that explanation, Ananias instructed Paul to be baptized in order to wash his sins away.
Ac 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’
Union with Christ
Gal 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Baptism signifies a transforming identification with Christ. Paul refers to it here. Paul is not suggesting people are saved through baptism. No one is saved by baptism. Baptism provides an outward sign of the union that already exists through faith.
To be "clothed with Christ" means to become like Christ.
Receiving the Holy Spirit
Ac 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Remember – We mentioned in the post on November 11, 2009 that there are cases recorded in Acts where people received the Holy Spirit before baptism – Acts 10:44.)
Membership in the body of Christ – the church
1Co 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
In this letter to the people of the church in Corinth, Paul is speaking of the church, referring to the church as the body of Christ. He states that we were all baptized into that one body/church.
Many wonderful elements of our faith are connected to baptism.
Next time—we will talk about the importance of the local church in helping you in your walk with Jesus.
Bendiciones,
Larry | | |
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