Does the Church Matter

Does the Church Matter?

March 4, 2007

Introduction

Today, we see the church under attack. It is under attack from many different perspectives. It is in a state of turmoil because of certain changes that have taken place in recent years. What complicates matters is that we do not know the Bible as well as once we did. Many are disturbed by changes that take place because they are concerned that the changes that have taken place are not scriptural. Some are concerned about change itself because they fear that innocent changes may open the way to changes that are not innocent.

This morning, we want to address the question, “Why does the church matter?” Why does church attendance matter? What does it take to make the church what God would have it to be?.

Body

I. What is the church?

According to scripture, the church is described in different ways.

1. The body of Christ.

(Eph 5:23 NKJV) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

a. As the body, we are to care for the parts of the body.

b. Our members must be connected to our body, or they die.

(1 Cor 12:25-26 NASB) that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. {26} And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

2. The church is described as the bride of Christ.

(Eph 5:25-27 NKJV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, {26} that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, {27} that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

II. What is the purpose of the church?

A. We are to have fellowship with one another and with God.

(Acts 2:42 NKJV) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

1. It was great fellowship that inspired the song: “Blessed be the tie that binds.”

2. I believe Christ was emphasizing our fellowship as He spoke of the love that we were to have for one another.

(John 13:34-35 NKJV) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. {35} "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

3. And John put it this way.

(1 John 1:3&7 NKJV) that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. . .. {7} But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

We are to worship and honor God.

(Acts 2:46-47 NKJV) So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, {47} praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

We are to edify one another and build each other up.

(Eph 4:15-16 NKJV) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; {16} from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

1. We are to build each other up.

(1 Th 5:11 NKJV) Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

(1 Th 5:11 NIV) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

III. Why does our assembly matter?

Assembly for worship has marked Christians as Christians in every age.

1. I don’t mean by that that I agree with everything they may teach, but the world has recognized assemblies of Christians from the first century on.

(Heb 10:25 NASB) 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.

παρακαλέω

parakaleō

Thayer Definition:

1) to call to one’s side, call for, summon

2) to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.

2a) to admonish, exhort

2b) to beg, entreat, beseech

2b1) to strive to appease by entreaty

2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort

2c1) to receive consolation, be comforted

2d) to encourage, strengthen

2e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging

2f) to instruct, teach

2. We encourage each other with our presence.

3. We discourage each other with our absence.

Our assembly is a testimony to our faith in Jesus Christ and our worship of God.

1. Christ wanted us to be witnesses for Him.

(Acts 1:8 NKJV) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

2. In a more general way, He put it this way.

(Mat 10:32-33 NKJV) "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. {33} "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

3. Jesus also stated it as being ashamed of Him.

(Mark 8:38 NKJV) "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

Conclusion

I. Someday He’s coming back to claim Him own.

(2 Th 1:7-12 NKJV) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, {8} in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, {10} when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. {11} Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, {12} that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

II. The church and our assembly together is very important.

A. By our assembly, we worship God.

B. By our assembly, we should be edified and built up.

C. By our assembly, we encourage each other.

D. By our assembly, we identify with the body of Christ, the church.

III. Are you part of the body of Christ?

A. Have you been baptized into Him?

B. Is there something you need to make right publicly?

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