Where does God want me to go to church?

The Identity of the Church

You may remember the little quip from childhood: “Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the door, and here’s all the people…” (…and you have to do the hand motions with it…)

Where are all the people today? Is the church still relevant, or is it outdated?

If you ask the world, “How would you identify the church in your community?”

- Some might say, “Look for the steeple.”

- Some would say, “Look for a building with a cross on it.”

- “Look at the name that is over the door….”

We know “the church” is more than a building or a place to meet…

It is the PEOPLE… It is the body of Christ, a living organism and not just an organization.

What did Jesus say about the church in Matt. 16, and what would be the identifying characteristics of it?

He said in verse 18, “upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (or overpower it.)”

HOW DID JESUS IDENTIFY THE CHURCH?

1. IT WAS A PROCLAIMED CHURCH

Jesus proclaimed what he was going to do…I WILL build my church.

He didn’t say: I might build my church, I would like to build my church…

If the conditions are right and I can recruit the right members, and find the right location… then I will consider building a church…

He said I WILL build my church. What prompted Jesus to make such a statement?

Back in verse 13 he had asked his disciples, as they came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"

 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church.”

It was on Peter’s proclamation and confession that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God that Jesus proclaimed he would build his church.

Mark it down: What God has said he will do, he will do!

Paul reminded the church at Corinth that they were a part of the will of God:

1 Cor 1:1-3 “Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

- Paul said it was God’s will that he was made an apostle.

- They were “sanctified in Christ Jesus.”

- They were “Saints by calling with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul described the church as the “Called out.”  But, called out from what and for what reason? 

1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

We are “called out” from the world to proclaim the name of Jesus to a world that is lost. We have been brought out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Jesus came proclaiming to be the light of the world in John 1.

He came to establish his church as a beacon in the darkness.    Matt. 5:14-16:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; ¹⁵ nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

We are to let our light shine proclaiming the truth that he is the son of God and that salvation is found only in him.

Jesus said I WILL build my church….

2. THERE WAS A PROCESS/PLAN FOR HIS CHURCH

I will BUILD my church…

1 Cor. 3:11 says, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

If you are going to build, you don’t go about it hap-hazardly or without a plan.

Luke 14:28 reads, "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 "Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, `This man began to build and was not able to finish.'

There is an old adage, “To fail to plan is to plan to fail.”

The church was God’s plan all along, from the beginning. It was the reason Christ came and died for lost humanity.

In the Old Testament, it was God’s promise to raise up a nation for himself – Israel. It was his plan to have a people for his own possession.

In the New Testament, it is the promise of the church being established that is the fulfillment of God’s promise to us – through Christ. That was his purpose in coming to earth. He paid the price and finished the work.

- How are we doing building upon the foundation of Jesus Christ to further establish his church?

- Do we have a plan and a process in place whereby we lead others to Christ?

Paul recognized his role in God’s plan: “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord”  Eph. 3:8-11.

We are a part of God’s eternal purpose, his plan from the beginning.

Paul reminded Timothy of his place in the church and the role and responsibility that goes with being a part of it…”but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” - 1 Tim. 3:15.

The church is to “bring to light the administration of the mystery of the ages”… the church is to be “the pillar and support of truth.”

We are soon facing the election of a new president and others who will lead this nation, but Washington and the White House will not determine how this nation goes as much as will the church, and those who lead it…

Christ came to build his church – Not a political enterprise or earthly kingdom.

His plan has been eternal and will continue long after the nations of this world and its rulers have come and gone…

“…but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,” - 1 Tim. 1:8b,9.

Paul was inviting Timothy to join with him in God’s eternal purpose – the reason Christ came to establish his church…

Christ’s church is a proclaimed church.

Christ’s church is a planned and purposeful church.

3. IT WAS A PERSONAL CHURCH that Christ would build

“I will build MY church.” He bought it with his own blood.

Paul reminded the elders of the church at Ephesus, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28

Christ has a personal interest in the church… He died for it. He gave his body so that we could become his body…

Col. 1:16-22 reads, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”

The church belongs to Christ. We are his. Bought with a price. Purchased with blood. Everything belongs to him.

19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.”

To become a member of the church is to enter into a close personal relationship with Christ. It is to realize the price he paid for the church – to make us holy and blameless before God… not because of our goodness, but because of his grace.

Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” - John 14:6.

It is only through him we can have eternal life and be added to his body.

Eph. 4:4-6 makes the distinction, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

There is one church and it is his… He personally bought it with his own blood.

4, Lastly, IT IS A PROTECTED and PREVAILING CHURCH

“And the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

The church will stand forever…  Every earthly and human establishment you can be a part of will eventually be gone and dissolved. The great empires and achievements of men will not last. “Moth and rust destroy.” But the church will endure forever.

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Now, that doesn’t mean it will always be an easy road. Jesus said there WILL be persecution. There is a price to pay for being a part of the body of Christ.

Peter warned, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” - 1 Peter 4:11-19

Judgment begins with the household of God – Let us strive to be faithful. We are a part of an enduring legacy…

The church has withstood persecutions. It has endured through the ages.

Many have tried to destroy it but it will forever stand.

Matthew Henry writes, “Whom Christ blesses the world curses. The heirs of heaven have never been the darlings of this world.”

Another has stated,¹ “The Church of God is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”  

(The following was said of scripture but it applies to the church as well.)¹

“If [the church] had not been the plan of God, men would have destroyed it long ago. Emperors and popes, kings and princes and rulers, scholars and intellectuals, have all tried their hand at it; they die and the [church] still lives.”

The gates of Hell have not been, or ever will be, able to overpower it or destroy it.

- The church may never be the most popular place in society – in fact, it will be persecuted.

- The church may never be the most privileged place in society – but God will provide for his people.

- The church may never be the most prominent place in society – but it will prevail.

- The church may never be perfect – but it is being perfected, through Christ.

It has stood the test of time. It will last throughout the ages – Why?

Because it was:

- God’s will for the church. Christ PROCLAIMED it would be established.

- It was his PLAN from the beginning.

- It was his PURPOSE in coming to earth, and for our very lives.

- It is his – PERSONALLY. He has purchased it with his own blood.

- And it is PROTECTED. It will stand forever and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.

So, let me ask you in closing, “Don’t you want to be a part of his church today?”

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All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible

1) Quote adapted from G. Hastings in an article by Davon Huss - http://www.sermoncentral.com/illustrations/sermon-illustration-davon-huss-stories-bibleinfluence-5482.asp

To God be the glory…

This outline is being shared on “Preacher’s Stuff” by:

David Robison

Kensett, AR