We Believe in the Church.
- Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
- We believe in the church here. Big C and little c. we believe that You must be part of a local church if you call yourself a Christian. Those who refuse to join a church are reprobate
- 1st–4th Centuries (Early Church) Christianity was entirely communal. The church was the identity of the Christian (Acts 2:42–47).
- Believers gathered in homes, broke bread, submitted to elders, and lived as a visible, accountable body. There was no such thing as a Christian apart from a local body. NONE
- Held on for about 1500 years. The The 16th Century Protestant Reformation
- The Reformation (1500s) introduced the idea of “personal faith” and individual access to Scripture (sola fide, sola scriptura). empowered people to approach God without a priest
- Individualism was theological, not relational. Christians still belonged to congregations.
- 18th–19th Centuries Revivalism & Frontier Christianity
- Movements like the Great Awakenings and frontier revivals (especially in the U.S.) emphasized personal salvation experiences.
- Camp meetings and tent revivals were often disconnected from local churches, leading to more fluid spiritual identities. “Are you saved?” more than “Are you part of the church?”
- 20th Century American Individualism & Media Christianity
- Post-WWII America saw a rise in rugged individualism. Faith became private and internal.
- The rise of radio, TV, and internet ministries gave people “church at home” without accountability. Consumer Christianity emerged: shopped or stopped going altogether.
- 21st Century Deconstruction & Digital Faith
- Many now claim to be “spiritual but not religious” or “Jesus followers, not churchgoers.”
- COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital-only faith many never returned to in-person worship.
- Social media fosters personalized belief systems untethered from pastoral authority or community. People want the Lord, they just don’t want to be in a local church.
- And I get it. Churches are messy. It adds a layer to spirituality that is often cumbersome
- But those that submit to the church experience blessings upon blessings in her.
- We’re unapologetically a Church centered church. It is central to our faith and experience.
- Its different than many other churches who downplay her and make her an add-on
- I didn’t believe this when we started- God has showed me. I apologize for not sooner.
- We believe people should attend church and make it a priority. That you should serve the church, give to the church, love the church, defend the church, worship in the church, fellowship in the Church and exist in the church until Christ’s return. Teach to children.
- This Eph 3:10 verse uniquely captures the eternal significance of the Church not just on earth, but in the heavenly realms.
- It declares that the Church is God’s chosen vessel to reveal His wisdom, purpose, and glory to all creation seen and unseen. The Church is God’s design, not ours.
- It’s not just a gathering of believers; it’s the cosmic display of God’s redemptive plan. Central.
- I can buy any book at any university and that doesn’t make a me a part of it. Buy the gear
- Wear a jersey, visit a country, etc. much to societies surprise, calling yourself don’t make it true
1. We believe in the Church Because the church is the body of Christ
- The CHURCH big C and little c IS the body of Christ, if you are not in the church, you are not a part of the body of Christ. Individual body parts are not part of a body. They are gone.
- People will hermeneutically argue this point ad naseum for one reason- rebellion.
- And its this- They want to live on their own, have their own time and money to themselves.
- That’s it. Same as those who twist scripture for sexual immorality. Its to partake of immorality.
- 1 Cor 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. Rom 12:5 we are one body in Christ. 1 Cor 12:12 so also is Christ. 1 Cor 12:13 baptized into one body. Eph 1:23 His body, the fullness of Him. Eph 4:4 there is one body. Eph 4:12 edifying of the body of Christ. Eph 4:16 the whole body… causes growth of the body. Eph 5:30 we are members of His body. Col 1:18 He is the head of the body. Col 1:24 for the sake of His body.
- This isn’t some obscure misunderstood scripture that has pained scholars over the ages.
- It’s settled theological truth that does not need interpretation or application past simple reading
- The Church IS the body of Christ. YOU are not the body of Christ. Parachurch, homegroup, etc.
- 1 Cor 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
- Churches have leaders. Elders, deacons, pastors, apostles prophets, teachers. Gifts.
- A person sitting at home listening, watching or reading in defiance of attending a church is rebel
- Eph 2 fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God… Romans 12:5 individually members of one another. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,.
- So we believe in the church here. We’re his body. Parts that hurt. Parts that help. Parts that are healed and being healed. I pay attention to my body quite a bit. And when something is wrong, I always try to find the ROOT cause, not the symptom. Was having nerve pain. Stretches? Exercise? Electrolytes. Church no different. If one part hurts, it affects the whole body.
- Ephesians 1:22-23 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
2. We Believe in the Church because Christ established it
- This church and THE church wasn’t man’s invention. Christ didn’t ascend into heaven, a bunch of dudes were sitting around and said, maybe we should meet and sing songs and read.
- Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
- Here’s an argument I constantly make- historical biblical Christianity is consistent throughout the ages. Abortion, sexuality, morality, decisions, etc. Consistent. Gathering, separate, worshipping, public declarations consistent. Jesus didn’t destroy gathering, he took it over!
- Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
- He’s over this house and his house! Its his! It belongs to him! We are if we HOLD FAST
- Its why we take it so seriously! We don’t want to be flippant or dismissive.
- Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock… to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
- Since Christ paid for this church with his blood, how then should we conduct ourselves in it?
- It’s why it bothers me with lateness, disruptions, disrespect, ‘fun time’, etc. ITS HIS
- The Church was established by Christ, how should we treat her? It belongs to him!
- College- into shoes- roommate lent out- came back dirty. Just shoes. But people do church
3. We believe in the church because it’s the center of God’s redemptive plan
- The church is CENTRAL to what God does on this earth. He works through people, yes, but God’s plan of redemption is the Church. Bring them in, save them, sanctify them prepare for heaven
- It’s the pillar of truth! 1 Ti 3:15 I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
- More and more we see the church as the center of truth for society. We’re the only institution pushing back on the false deceptive narratives of the day- I don’t bang on transgenders every week bc I’m trying to be mean- its because the world is INNUDATING you with it. Contrast
- We gather and proclaim! Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
- When we gather and we preach Jesus Christ and him crucified we’re shaking the gates of Hell- we’re proclaiming to the lost and every devil in hell that Christ reigns supreme, that their days are numbered, that Christ will return to redeem us and that we will not bow down
- Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
- The Church is the people of God! God established Israel for himself and the church is the Israel of God Galatians 6:16 peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
- Ephesians 5:25-27 Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her… that He might present her to Himself a glorious church.
- This is God’s plan! The redemptive work of the church that we are walking out together is being done by the Holy Spirit so that we can be sanctified, but its for him, and by him and to him!
- Its like a garden. A Gardener (which I am not) prepares, plants, grows, harvests and eats
- The plants are not developed for the plants themselves, but for the gardener. His purposes!
- He is the vine! We are the branches! Apart from him we can do nothing!
4. We believe in the church because that’s where we worship and gather.
- Biblical worship is publicly gathered communal worship. Always has been.
- You can worship on your own, for sure, but God demands communal worship and its been our historical tradition for thousands of years. The people of God always gather to worship together
- In the tabernacle, in the temple, in the synagogue and in the church. Public.
- We’re called to not forsake- Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another… not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some.
- We’re called to be steadfast Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
- We’re called to come together. 1 Cor 14:26 Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue… Let all things be done for edification.
- We’re called to assemble- Ps 22:22 I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You. Ps 35:18 I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people. Ephesians 5:19-20 Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
5. We believe in the church because that’s where gifts are given
- 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
- 1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
- Your gifting is not for you! Its for the Church! God gave your gifting so that the church would be edified and built up and glorified! There’s a contingent of professional Christians who exploit and take advantage of the church for their own benefit. Not for the edification of the church!
- Ephesians 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be
- We believe that our gifts are for the church! We use them for HIM and the CHURCH.
6. We believe in the church because that’s where sanctification happens
- People who are stagnant and do not grow are those who do not commit to a local church
- We are called to bear with one another (Eph 4:2), submit to one another (Eph 5:21), confess your sins to one another (Jas 5:16), teach and admonish one another (Col 3:16), encourage one another daily (Heb 3:13), spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb 10:24), restore one another (Gal 6:1), bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2), forgive one another (Eph 4:32), and serve one another (Gal 5:13). AND THAT Is for the church and IN THE CHURCH
- Matthew 18:15 Moreover if your brother sins against you… tell it to the church.
- To whom do we tell if there is no church? The internet?
- Eph 5:25-27 Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her… that He might present her to Himself a glorious church.
7. We believe in the Church because that’s where we give our firstfruits to the Lord.
- The Local church thrives on the giving of its saints. It pays for meeting space, pastors and supplies. God doesn’t need your money- he’ll accomplish it without you for sure.
- 2 Cor 9:6-7 He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly… God loves a cheerful giver.
- Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
- 1 Cor 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside,
- Galatians 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
- We need to give to the storehouse! God uses it, and does something in us when we give!
8. We believe in the church because Jesus is coming back for his church.
- The Story of redemption is the story of the church- Christ is coming back for HIS CHURCH
- We believe in the church because scripture declares that it’s the CHURCH who is being saved
- Revelation 19:7-8 the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.
- Eph 5:25-27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church…Mat 24:30-31 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven… and He will send His angels… and they will gather together His elect. John 14:3 I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself.
- And so we worship. We give. We serve. We love. We defend. We wait expectantly.
- Christ is Lord over this house and we believe in it and await Christs return.
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