Doctrine of the Church

THE PROBLEM:
We want spirituality without religion... relationship without rules... God without church

4 Types of Believers

• The Committed
• The Disgruntled
• The Waffling
• The Disconnected

4 Reasons for Disillusionment

• Missiological
• Personal
• Historical
• Theological

Done with Church?

“There are many Christians who have stopped going to church. They have not given up on God, have not renounced their faith, have not denied Christ, and have not become pagans. They simply are no longer going to church. That this is happening is not a matter of doubt, but why this is happening is in fact a difficult question to answer.” - Bill Muehlenberg

Who said the following...?

"I will build my church"
- Matthew 16:18

JESUS!
Therefore, church is not man's idea, but God's plan for all believers.

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
- Ephesians 2:19-22

"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.""
- 1 Peter 5:1-5

"So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church."
- 1 Corinthians 14:12

Church (ekklesia):
"a group of called
out believers in
Jesus Christ"

The church is NOT a building...

The church is NOT Israel...

The church is NOT a denomination...

The church is NOT
the kingdom...

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

"And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."
- Colossians 1:18

"I will build my church"
- Matthew 16:18

"For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
- 1 Corinthians 3:9-11

Ephesians 5:22-33

Revelation 19:6-9

Ephesians 1:22-2:3

Ephesians 3:1-13

Roles in the Church

• Pastor/Elder/Overseer
• Deacon

Government of the Church

• Congregational
• Presbyterian/Federal
• Hierarchial/Episcopal

Ordinances of the Church

• Baptism
• The Lord's Supper (Communion)

Purpose of the Church

• Worship
• Fellowship
• Instruction
• Ministry/Evangelism
• Organization

WE, as believers in Jesus Christ, are the universal church everywhere we go, BUT...

WHY JOIN, REGULARLY ATTEND, & ACTIVELY SERVE IN A LOCAL CHURCH?

Why not just study the Bible at Starbucks?

Why not just listen to podcast sermons?

Why not just attend a men's Bible study?

Jesus wants you in some church somewhere. A church with pastors, preaching, instruction, and shepherding. A church with leaders, roles, ordinances, regular meetings—yes, organization!

It’s a command, and it’s God’s plan for all believers!

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
- Hebrews 10:23-25

Discussion Questions

• Based on the biblical imagery given, how might Jesus describe the church? Would that match your tone?
• What is the biblical definition of the church?
• What would you say to someone who is “done with church”?

Sources/Recommended Reading

• Moody Handbook of Theology - Dr Paul Enns
• Why We Love the Church - Kevin DeYoung, Ted Kluck