The function of the Church of Jesus Christ

My notes from a sermon on Sunday 14 August 2011

Acts 8 verse 1 -4, Acts 13 verses 1 – 4

We began last week to look at the subject of the church in the New Testament. What is our definition of the church? What goes through our minds when it is mentioned? We tried to clear our minds from the idea of an organisation we were brought up in, an establishment we belonged to from a child or a place where our grandparents and parents attended. The picture in the New Testament is not of bricks and mortar or a great establishment but rather a group of people separated unto God through the finished work of Calvary. Everyone who has put their faith in Christ is a member of Christ’s own church. I want us to think again not of the founding of the church but rather of the function of the church. What is the role of the church? What is my role or your role in the church of Jesus Christ today? Not all of us are arms, hands, eyes – each one of us has a role in the body of Christ. It is our responsibility to find out what that role would be. Where are you in the body of God? What gifts have I got that I might use in this church?

The function of the church is the conversion of sinners. The prime purpose of the church is to bring the message of the gospel to people who are lost in sin and cannot find their way. There is no other function for the church. It is a channel to see sinners saved. Why do we open the doors? Invite people in to meetings? We come primarily to hear God’s word and see others saved. Our goal is to invite others in and see them saved. Jesus reminded his followers before he left this earth “go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.” That was the only command he left them. They couldn’t leave Jerusalem until something significant happened – had to wait for the Holy Ghost came and filled their lives. The greatest need for the child of God is to know the infilling of the Holy Spirit. When did you last sit and plead for the Holy Spirit to fill your life? In Matthew’s gospel we read these words “go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28 verses 19 and 20) Today the church is a social gathering for many but the main function is to see souls saved. We come together that others might be saved. In Acts of the Apostles we read of Paul going into the city of Thessalonica and on 3 Sabbath days he preached the word of God in the synagogue. It says “he opened and alleged that Christ must suffer and be raised again from the dead.” Paul openly debated with the religious leaders that Jesus must suffer, hang on the cross, be put into a tomb and be raised again. He showed them from the Old Testament scriptures how Jesus was the Messiah. In Acts 8 verses 4 we read of the disciples who were persecuted and scattered but they went “everywhere preaching the word”. In Acts 13 the Holy Ghost comes to the people at Antioch and says “separate unto me Paul and Barnabas for the work whereunto I have called them.” Later in verse 5 we read that Paul and Barnabas came to Salamis “they preached the word of God in the synagogues.” The function of the church is to preach the word of God and see men and women respond to God’s word and accept Christ as Saviour and Lord.

The function of the church is the communion of the saints. Peter referred to God’s people as a “peculiar people”. That word means a redeemed people. People who once were steeped in their sin but had turned to the Lord. Jesus paid the price on Calvary for my sins. He wasn’t selfish, he knew what he had to do when he came into this world. He knew he had to suffer and be rejected by his own disciples. The Bible tells us that we are all born in sin and shapen in iniquity. That sin will take us into eternity but thank God for his wonderful gift – “the gift of God is eternal life.” Remember in Acts chapter 2 when the disciples were in the upper room they were filled with the Holy Ghost, they were different from anyone else. If you are saved, filled with the Holy Ghost you are a different person. Have you known something of the convicting power of the Lord? Acts 2 verses 42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers.” No child of God can isolate themselves. Every child of God needs fellowship and in the early church that fellowship was found in the disciples doctrine as they met together. Remember Peter in jail in Acts 12. He had been put in jail after preaching for the Lord. What was the local fellowship doing? Meeting together and praying for Peter’s release. They prayed without ceasing. When Paul met in the synagogue the leader turned to him and asked if he had any word of encouragement. He didn’t ask him if he enjoyed the meeting but rather asked for his input into the meeting.

The function of the church is a constraint from sins pollution. Jesus said “ye are the salt of the earth.” Salt in those days was a preservation of food. It was important for the people to understand they were to live as preserved people. They were to hinder the onslaught of the enemy and his sinful intentions. 2 Thessalonians 2 verse 7 “for the mystery of iniquity doth already work, only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” We haven’t seen the full depravity of man when the restraints will be lifted and every man will do that which is right in their own eyes. The church prevents it today.

The church is also for the glory of God. “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him for ever.” Are you wholehearted for God today?