Rediscovering the True Purpose of the Church
Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we embark on a new series titled "Rediscovering Why We Exist: Real Church." The focus is on understanding the true identity and purpose of the church, not just as a collection of activities but as a spiritual community. Often, the church is defined by what it does, but our identity should shape our actions, not the other way around. We explored this concept through Paul's letter to the Ephesians, where he describes the church as a living, spiritual community. Paul reminds us that we were once dead in our sins, but through God's grace, we have been made alive in Christ. This transformation is not something we earned; it is a gift of grace.
The church is described using various metaphors: a body with Christ as the head, a household of faith, and a spiritual temple. These images emphasize that the church is a community of believers united by faith in Jesus. The term "church" itself comes from the Greek word "ekklesia," meaning a gathering or assembly, highlighting the importance of community and purpose.
The church is a physical expression of a spiritual reality. Just as baptism and communion are physical expressions of spiritual truths, the church exists to make the spiritual reality of God's kingdom visible in the world. Our purpose is to demonstrate the reality of God's kingdom through our lives and relationships. This is not just the mission of Grace Church but also the calling of each believer. We are to live in a way that reflects God's kingdom, whether in our marriages, parenting, or daily interactions.
The church is not a building or an event; it is a living, breathing community of believers. The concept of a universal church requires local expressions to make the spiritual reality tangible. Without the local church, the universal church lacks a physical presence in the world. Therefore, we must ask ourselves if we are truly part of God's people and how we are demonstrating the reality of God's kingdom through our involvement in the church.
Key Takeaways:
- The church's identity should shape its actions, not the other way around. Our identity as believers is rooted in being made alive in Christ through grace, not by our deeds. This foundational truth should guide how we live and serve as a church. [21:00]
- The church is a community of believers, described as a body, a household, and a spiritual temple. These metaphors emphasize unity and purpose, reminding us that we are part of something greater than ourselves. [24:49]
- The church is a physical expression of a spiritual reality. Just as baptism and communion symbolize spiritual truths, the church exists to make God's kingdom visible in the world. Our lives should reflect this reality. [28:37]
- Being part of the church means being part of God's people, not just attending services. It requires a personal relationship with Jesus and a commitment to live out the reality of God's kingdom in our daily lives. [35:35]
- The universal church finds its expression in local communities. Without the local church, the spiritual reality of the universal church lacks a tangible presence. Our involvement in the local church is crucial for demonstrating God's kingdom. [38:28]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:00] - Introduction to the Series
[06:30] - The Church's Identity Crisis
[10:00] - Understanding Our True Identity
[14:00] - Ephesians and the Church's Identity
[18:00] - Grace and Resurrection
[21:00] - Metaphors of the Church
[24:49] - The Church as a Community
[28:37] - Physical Expression of Spiritual Reality
[32:49] - The Church's Purpose
[35:35] - Being Part of God's People
[38:28] - The Role of Baptism
[42:00] - Demonstrating God's Kingdom
[46:00] - The Local Church's Importance
[50:00] - Closing Remarks and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 2:1-10
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
- 1 Peter 2:4-5
---
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:1-10, what transformation occurs in believers through God's grace? How does this passage describe our previous state and our new identity in Christ?
2. In the sermon, what metaphors are used to describe the church, and what do they signify about the church's identity and purpose? [24:49]
3. How does the sermon explain the term "ekklesia," and what significance does it have for understanding the church's role? [28:37]
4. What is the relationship between the universal church and the local church as described in the sermon? [32:49]
---
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "made alive in Christ" through grace challenge common perceptions of earning one's way into God's favor? [21:00]
2. What does it mean for the church to be a "physical expression of a spiritual reality," and how does this concept shape the church's mission? [28:37]
3. How do the metaphors of the body, household, and spiritual temple help us understand our roles and responsibilities within the church community? [24:49]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the local church is essential for making the spiritual reality of the universal church tangible? [32:49]
---
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal identity as a believer. How does understanding that you are "made alive in Christ" through grace influence your daily life and interactions with others? [21:00]
2. The sermon emphasizes the church as a community of believers. How can you actively contribute to fostering unity and purpose within your local church community? [24:49]
3. Consider the idea that the church is a "physical expression of a spiritual reality." What specific actions can you take to make God's kingdom visible in your personal relationships and community? [28:37]
4. How can you ensure that your involvement in the church is not just about attending services but about being an active part of God's people? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Jesus and the church community? [35:35]
5. The sermon discusses the importance of baptism as a public declaration of faith. If you haven't been baptized, what might be holding you back, and how can you take steps toward this important expression of your faith? [38:28]
6. Reflect on your role in demonstrating the reality of God's kingdom through your partnership at Grace Church. What specific contributions can you make to support the church's mission and community life? [38:28]
7. How can you challenge any preconceived notions you have about the church and allow scripture to guide your understanding of its purpose and your role within it? [52:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Identity Shapes Action
Our identity as believers is rooted in being made alive in Christ through grace, not by our deeds. This foundational truth should guide how we live and serve as a church. The church's identity should shape its actions, not the other way around. Understanding that our worth and purpose come from God's grace allows us to act out of love and gratitude rather than obligation or self-righteousness. This perspective shifts our focus from merely doing church activities to being a living expression of God's grace in the world. [21:00]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: In what ways can you let your identity in Christ shape your actions today, rather than letting your actions define your identity?
Day 2: Unity and Purpose in Community
The church is a community of believers, described as a body, a household, and a spiritual temple. These metaphors emphasize unity and purpose, reminding us that we are part of something greater than ourselves. As a body, we are interconnected and dependent on one another, with Christ as the head guiding us. As a household, we are a family bound by faith, supporting and nurturing each other. As a spiritual temple, we are a dwelling place for God's presence, collectively reflecting His glory. [24:49]
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity and purpose of your church community this week?
Day 3: Making the Spiritual Visible
The church is a physical expression of a spiritual reality. Just as baptism and communion symbolize spiritual truths, the church exists to make God's kingdom visible in the world. Our lives should reflect this reality, demonstrating the love, grace, and truth of God's kingdom in our interactions and relationships. This calling challenges us to live authentically, allowing the spiritual truths we believe to be evident in our daily lives. [28:37]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can make the spiritual reality of God's kingdom visible in your life today?
Day 4: Living as God's People
Being part of the church means being part of God's people, not just attending services. It requires a personal relationship with Jesus and a commitment to live out the reality of God's kingdom in our daily lives. This involves more than just participation in church activities; it calls for a transformation of heart and mind, aligning our lives with the values and mission of God's kingdom. [35:35]
1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Reflection: How can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus and live as part of God's people today?
Day 5: The Local Church's Role
The universal church finds its expression in local communities. Without the local church, the spiritual reality of the universal church lacks a tangible presence. Our involvement in the local church is crucial for demonstrating God's kingdom. By participating in the life of the local church, we contribute to its mission and help make the invisible kingdom of God visible in our communities. [38:28]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one way you can actively participate in your local church to help demonstrate God's kingdom this week?
Quotes
But today, we are back here. We are starting a new series entitled Rediscovering Why We Exist, Real Church. And you might say, why do we need to, you know, kind of tackle this topic? And I would say it's because the church of late, when I say church, I mean maybe Christianity in America more so than, I don't know, I'm familiar with around the world, evangelicalism here. The church, the identity of the church, has been defined by what the church does. [00:16:56] (41 seconds)
And that can be really, really unhealthy because when something changes in your life and you can't do that anymore or you're trying to reorient yourself, you can kind of go through an identity crisis. And many times, the church has done that. The church has defined, like, who are we? Well, we do this and we do this and we do this and we do that. So that's who we are. [00:17:50] (24 seconds)
Not of the church does this and this and this, but instead, what is it that God has created the church for? Why do we exist? And out of that understanding, determine what it is as a church that we should be doing. [00:19:01] (17 seconds)
And then notice this, all of us also lived among them at one time. Every now and then I'll talk to somebody and I'll ask them the story, tell me about your spiritual journey. When did you make the decision to follow Jesus? And the answer goes something like this, pastor, I've always been a Christian. Well, according to St. Paul, that can't be true. Because we were dead in our sins, and all of us lived among the dead at one time. [00:19:49] (38 seconds)
And so we see in the New Testament that there is an expansion of the people of God. In the Old Testament, the Jews are God's people. He has chosen them. There is people. And in the New Testament, that expands. And now everyone is invited to be a part of the people of God. All who place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ are now the new people of God. [00:22:54] (24 seconds)
And so we see here that we're a part of this idea, this dwelling place of God, right? What is a temple? The temple is where you go to meet God. And so we are a part of the church, which is the spiritual temple. We're a part of this story. Now, the word church itself comes from two Greek words. The first is ek, which means out of, and kaleo means to call. Now, it's not a Christian word. [00:25:31] (30 seconds)
The church is a physical expression of a spiritual reality. This is very common in Christianity. Let me illustrate. What is baptism? Baptism is a physical expression of a spiritual reality. The spiritual reality is you've made the decision to follow Jesus, but nobody can see that spiritual reality. So what? Jesus said you need to get baptized. And when you get baptized, you are demonstrating to the world a physical thing they can see, but you're just getting wet if you're not a follower of Jesus. [00:27:43] (38 seconds)
So, we, by that I mean Grace Church, we are to demonstrate the reality of God's kingdom to our community. Why does the church exist? The church exists to make the spiritual reality real. To make it something that cannot be seen, the spiritual reality, but you can see a church. You can see these people gathering together. And just so you know, this is not just the purpose of Grace Church. This is the purpose of your life. [00:30:36] (33 seconds)
The church is a living, spiritual community which requires relationship. It requires real people. This church is a living, spiritual community church, the only reason it is a church, this building only becomes a church because we are here. Otherwise, it's simply just a building. Can a building be a tool to demonstrate the reality of God's kingdom? Yes, but the building's just a building. [00:32:49] (32 seconds)
The idea of the universal church requires, it mandates a local church expression for it to have any meaning or value. Because without the local church, there is nothing that takes the spiritual and makes it real. I'm a part of the universal church. I don't typically like to use that phrase because it's really not in the Bible. And it can get people confused. I've had people tell me, oh, pastor, I'm a part of the universal church. [00:34:12] (32 seconds)
And this is the most important question you will ever answer in your life. It's not going to be where you go to church. I'm not asking if you were baptized or if you were raised religious. I am simply asking, are you a part of the people of God? Have you in faith responded to Jesus Christ, trusting him for the forgiveness of sin and choosing to become his disciple, his follower? If you haven't, that's the most important decision you could ever make. [00:36:59] (28 seconds)
And then for those of us that, for some of us it's been decades of going to church, it is so easy to get into the routine of just coming to an event. Instead of recognizing that church is not an event to attend, it is instead a relational demonstration of what is spiritually true. And so, Father, work in our hearts in these coming weeks. May we fulfill this incredible privilege of being your church. [00:45:19] (47 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?