The Church: A Journey of Faith and Unity
Summary
In our journey through the series "The Church Is," we delve into the rich tapestry of the church's identity, exploring its historical roots, global and missional reach, regional and local presence, and personal significance. The church is not merely an institution; it is the living, breathing body of Christ, a community of believers called to embody His love and truth in the world.
The church's history is a testament to God's faithfulness. From the moment Jesus declared that He would build His church on the rock of Peter's confession, the gates of Hades have not prevailed against it. The church began with a divine explosion of growth at Pentecost, where 3,000 souls were added in a single day. This nascent community devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, setting a pattern for us to follow.
As the church expanded, it faced the challenge of maintaining doctrinal purity and unity. The early church fathers, councils, and creeds played pivotal roles in safeguarding the gospel message. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD was particularly significant, producing the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian belief that continues to unite believers across denominational lines.
The canon of Scripture, our Bible, was meticulously discerned through numerous councils. The guiding principles for inclusion were apostolic authorship or connection, widespread acceptance among believers, doctrinal consistency, and evidence of high moral and spiritual values indicative of the Holy Spirit's inspiration.
Despite the church's efforts to maintain unity, history reveals fractures and splits, such as the Great Schism of 1054 and the Protestant Reformation in 1517. These events led to the proliferation of denominations, each with its unique emphases and interpretations of Christian faith and practice. Yet, amidst this diversity, the core of the gospel remains unchanged.
The church's story is one of both triumph and failure, of divine grace working through flawed humanity. We are reminded that the church is Christ's bride, and He has remained faithful to her throughout history. As we look to the future, we pray for a renewed commitment to the essentials of our faith and a striving for unity within the body of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The church's inception at Pentecost set a foundational model for Christian community, emphasizing the importance of teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This model serves as a blueprint for our gatherings, reminding us that the essence of church life is rooted in these practices. [37:08]
- The Nicene Creed stands as a unifying declaration of our faith, transcending time and denominational divides. It encapsulates the core truths of Christianity, affirming the deity of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of resurrection. This Creed should be the litmus test for our beliefs and a rallying point for all who call themselves followers of Christ. [50:06]
- The painstaking process of canonization demonstrates the church's commitment to doctrinal purity and the authority of Scripture. The Bible we have today is the result of careful deliberation and the Holy Spirit's guidance, ensuring that what we read and teach aligns with the apostolic witness and the character of God. [56:50]
- Historical schisms within the church, while regrettable, often arose from a desire to correct abuses and return to biblical faithfulness. These moments of division should drive us to examine our own hearts and practices, seeking always to align with Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. [01:02:04]
- The church's history, with all its complexities and imperfections, ultimately points us to the faithfulness of Jesus. He has worked through generations of believers to advance His kingdom, and He continues to do so today. Our response should be one of humility, gratitude, and a commitment to live out the gospel in unity and love. [01:06:12]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 16:15-18 (NIV)
> "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
2. Acts 2:41-47 (NIV)
> Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
3. Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV)
> Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus say to Peter about the foundation of the church in Matthew 16:15-18?
2. According to Acts 2:41-47, what were the key practices of the early church community?
3. What does Ephesians 4:3-6 emphasize about the nature of the church and its unity?
4. How did the early church handle the rapid growth and the addition of new believers? ([37:08])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is Peter's confession in Matthew 16:15-18 significant for the identity and mission of the church?
2. How do the practices described in Acts 2:41-47 serve as a model for modern church communities?
3. What challenges might arise in striving for the unity described in Ephesians 4:3-6, and how can they be addressed?
4. How does the historical development of the church, including councils and creeds, reflect the church's commitment to doctrinal purity and unity? ([46:07])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42), which of these practices do you feel most connected to, and which do you feel you need to grow in? How can you take a step to grow in that area this week?
2. The Nicene Creed serves as a unifying declaration of faith. How familiar are you with the Creed, and how might regularly reflecting on its truths impact your faith and unity with other believers? ([50:06])
3. Considering the church's history of schisms and reforms, what steps can you take to promote unity within your local church community, even amidst differences? ([01:02:04])
4. The early church was marked by radical generosity and communal living (Acts 2:44-45). How can you practice generosity in your own life, and what specific actions can you take to support those in need within your community?
5. Reflect on the idea that the church is the "living, breathing body of Christ" (sermon summary). How does this perspective change the way you view your role and participation in the church?
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of doctrinal purity and the authority of Scripture. How can you ensure that your personal study and understanding of the Bible align with these principles? ([56:50])
7. In what ways can you contribute to the church's mission of embodying Christ's love and truth in the world, both locally and globally? What specific actions can you take this week to live out this mission?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Pentecostal Blueprint
The inception of the church at Pentecost established a model for Christian community that has endured through the centuries. This model, characterized by devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, serves as a timeless blueprint for church life. It is a reminder that the essence of being the church is rooted in these communal practices, which foster spiritual growth and unity among believers. The early church's commitment to these elements created a strong foundation that allowed the message of Christ to spread rapidly and effectively. Today, this same model calls for a personal and collective commitment to these practices, ensuring that the church remains a vibrant and transformative community.
Acts 2:42-47 ESV
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Reflection: How can you more actively engage in the four foundational practices of the early church in your current faith community? [37:08]
Day 2: Uniting Under Core Christian Truths
The Nicene Creed, born out of the Council of Nicaea, stands as a testament to the unity that can be found in the core truths of the Christian faith. This Creed transcends denominational boundaries and historical divides, encapsulating the essential beliefs about the deity of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of resurrection. It serves as a litmus test for orthodoxy and a rallying point for all who profess to follow Jesus. In a world where beliefs are often subjective and fluid, the Nicene Creed anchors the church in the foundational truths that have been passed down through generations of faithful believers.
1 Timothy 3:15-16 ESV
"If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding of the Nicene Creed and its significance for your personal faith and the unity of the church? [50:06]
Day 3: Valuing the Authority of Scripture
The canonization of Scripture was a meticulous process guided by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that the Bible we have today is rooted in apostolic witness and reflects the character of God. The principles of apostolic authorship, widespread acceptance, doctrinal consistency, and spiritual value were paramount in discerning the books that would comprise the Bible. This commitment to doctrinal purity and the authority of Scripture is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, providing a firm foundation for teaching and living out the gospel.
2 Peter 1:20-21 ESV
"Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: How does the knowledge of the careful and Spirit-led process of canonization impact your trust in the Scriptures and your approach to studying them? [56:50]
Day 4: Learning from Historical Schisms
The church's history is marked by moments of division, often arising from a desire to address abuses and restore biblical faithfulness. While these schisms are regrettable, they also serve as a call to self-examination and a return to the core tenets of the faith. The desire for reform and purity should always be balanced with a commitment to unity and love within the body of Christ. Reflecting on these historical events can inspire believers to seek alignment with Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit in their own lives and communities.
Jude 1:17-19 ESV
"But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, 'In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.' It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit."
Reflection: What steps can you take to promote unity in your local church while also upholding the truth of the gospel? [01:02:04]
Day 5: Celebrating Christ's Faithfulness to His Church
The church, with all its complexities and imperfections, stands as a testament to the enduring faithfulness of Jesus. He has worked through generations of believers to advance His kingdom and continues to do so today. This history encourages humility, gratitude, and a commitment to live out the gospel in unity and love. As the bride of Christ, the church is called to reflect His grace and truth to the world, trusting in His faithfulness to sustain and lead her through every season.
Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the church's mission of embodying Christ's love and truth in the world, starting with your own community? [01:06:12]
Quotes
"The church is Jesus's plan A, right? So the church is important, and you're here, right? So obviously church is important to you on some level, otherwise why would you be here, right?" [29:47](Download | Download)
"Jesus is building up his people for himself and for his purposes, his eklesia. So the church is a gathering of people; it's not a building. It's an assembly of people who are following Jesus, remaining faithful to his teaching." [35:46](Download | Download)
"Jesus is the one who's building his church. Jesus is the power. He's the one who has the ability to heal, to break sin, to redeem, to convict, to raise up, to save. Apart from Christ, we are just a gathering of people." [33:44](Download | Download)
"The church fathers kept the gospel message central and tried to say we are called to remain united. Now they did remain united for several hundred years, but there's an asterisk to that because the more people you add, the more problems you have." [45:27](Download | Download)
"The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD was particularly significant, producing the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian belief that continues to unite believers across denominational lines." [49:23](Download | Download)
"The painstaking process of canonization demonstrates the church's commitment to doctrinal purity and the authority of Scripture. The Bible we have today is the result of careful deliberation and the Holy Spirit's guidance." [56:50](Download | Download)
"Despite the church's efforts to maintain unity, history reveals fractures and splits, such as the Great Schism of 1054 and the Protestant Reformation in 1517. These events led to the proliferation of denominations." [01:00:39](Download | Download)
"Even in the midst of our mess, we can look back and say Jesus is with us. He's with us in church history. It matters because we see the foundations on which we stand." [01:06:58](Download | Download)
"I pray that we would be a people, an eklesia of Christ, who seeks to remain faithful to Jesus' teaching and strive for unity within his church." [01:07:41](Download | Download)
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