The Church

The Church

• What is the Church?
• What does human government have to do with the Church?
• How do we become a part of the Church?

What is the Church?

• Church wasn't started by man
• It's not headed up by man
• It was God's idea
• He started it
• We should let Him continue to lead

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Colossians 1:18 And he(Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

How is the church governed?

• A Theocracy - ruled by God
• Not a democracy - ruled by man
• Jesus is the head of the church
• He wasn't voted in
• Can't be voted out

How is the church governed?

• God desired a theocracy for Israel
• They wanted an earthly king - 1 Sam 12:13
• Samuel was their prophet - connection to God
• Was getting old
• They wanted to be like "everyone else"

1Samuel 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me(God), that I should not reign over them.

How is the church governed?

• 1 Samuel 8:5-19
• God wanted to rule them
• They wanted an earthly ruler
• This led to many problems for them

How is the church governed?

• God hasn't changed
• Still wants heavenly rule for His people
• He gave the church people to help lead it
• Ephesians 4:11-12 - apostles, prophets...
• When God is in charge the Church is blessed

How is the church governed?

• If man is in charge there's trouble
• Gamaliel recognized this
• Not a member of the Church
• Concerning the Church - Acts 5:38-39
• The church is of God

How is the church governed?

• Jesus related some amazing things
• He's by the coast of Caesarea-Phillippi
• He's alone with His disciples
• He asks them what men say about Him
• "But whom say ye that I am?"

Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock(the understanding of who Jesus was) I will build my church; and the gates of hell(death) shall not prevail against it.

Three Important truths here

• First - Foundation of the Church
• found in a understanding of who Jesus is
• Second - Jesus is building the church
• Paul spoke of this - 1 Cor 3:6
• God gives the increase

Three Important truths here

• Thirdly - The church will never die
• As long as Jesus is building, it can't be stopped
• As long as He's adding to it, it will live
• The church can't die, God has all power

How do we become a part of the Church?

• Many voices say "We have the truth"
• Recognize absolute truth is only found in God
• Because of this His Word tells us what we need to do
• We can become partakers in eternal life through Him
• First we must follow the Bible's basic message

How do we become a part of the Church?

• What is the basic message?
• Not willing - 2 Peter 3:9
• Even back to Moses - Ex 32:32
• God was looking for a way to forgive
• God wants to forgive us

How do we become a part of the Church?

• We have to do our part
• Matthew 3:8 - fruits of repentance
• Takes action on our part
• Not just one time but continually
• Acts 17:30 - commandeth to repent

How do we become a part of the Church?

• Acts 10:48 - Baptism is essential
• Galatians 3:27 - put on Christ
• Baptism - remits our sins
• Remit - cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting
• Used in reference to a debt or punishment

How do we become a part of the Church?

• Jesus said "ye shall receive power"
• Acts 1:8 - after the Holy Ghost
• Matthew 28:18 - all power
• Romans 15:13 - power of the Holy Ghost
• The Holy Ghost comes into us