The Divine Purpose and Identity of the Church

Devotional

Day 1: The Church as a Divine Creation

The church is not a product of human effort or imagination but a divine creation established by Jesus Christ. It is through the church that God works in the world, uniting believers in Christ and equipping them for service. Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church," signifying that the church belongs to Him and is the means by which He accomplishes His mission on earth. This mission is carried out by His Spirit through His people for His glory. The church is a living organism, the body of Christ, through which God manifests His presence and power in the world. [01:04:35]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in the mission of the church this week, recognizing it as a divine creation and not just a human institution?

Day 2: Unity in Diversity

The church is one, despite outward divisions, united under one head, Jesus Christ, and sharing a common mission and purpose. This unity is a reflection of the unity between the Father and the Son and serves as a testimony to the world of the truth of the gospel. While there may be different denominations and expressions of faith, the true church is unified in its mission to proclaim the gospel and serve the world. This unity is not uniformity but a harmonious diversity that reflects the multifaceted wisdom of God. [01:22:39]

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (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. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the unity of the church, celebrating diversity while focusing on the common mission in Christ?

Day 3: The Call to Holiness

The church is holy, set apart by God and progressively sanctified through the work of the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to grow in holiness through the means of grace, such as the preaching of the word, the sacraments, and pastoral care. This holiness is not about perfection but about being set apart for God's purposes and growing in Christlikeness. As members of the church, believers are called to live lives that reflect the character of God and bear witness to His transforming power. [01:29:09]

1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to grow in holiness and reflect God's character in your daily life?

Day 4: The Universality of the Church

The church is catholic, meaning it is universal and encompasses all believers throughout history and across the globe. This universality is a reflection of the unity of all believers in Christ and the shared mission of proclaiming the gospel to the world. The church transcends cultural, racial, and geographical boundaries, uniting believers in a common faith and purpose. This global community of faith is a testament to the power of the gospel to bring people together from every tribe, tongue, and nation. [01:33:02]

Revelation 7:9-10 (ESV): "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'"

Reflection: How can you embrace the universality of the church in your interactions with believers from different backgrounds and cultures?

Day 5: Faithfulness to Apostolic Teaching

The church is apostolic, founded on the teachings of the apostles and continuing to proclaim the gospel as revealed in Scripture. The church does not reinvent the teachings of Jesus but faithfully proclaims them to the world. This faithfulness to apostolic teaching ensures that the church remains grounded in the truth of the gospel and is able to effectively carry out its mission. Believers are called to hold fast to the teachings of Scripture and to pass them on to future generations, ensuring the continuity of the faith. [01:37:54]

2 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding of apostolic teaching and share it with others in your community?

Sermon Summary

The church is a profound and essential institution, not merely a relic of the past or a gathering of like-minded individuals. It is the body of Christ, a living organism through which God works in the world. The church is not a human invention but a divine creation, established by Jesus Christ himself. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares, "I will build my church," emphasizing that the church belongs to Him and is the means by which He accomplishes His mission on earth. This mission is carried out by His Spirit through His people for His glory.

The church is described as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. These attributes are not just theological concepts but realities that define the church's identity and mission. The church is one because it is united under one head, Jesus Christ. Despite outward divisions, the true church is unified in its mission and purpose. It is holy, set apart by God and progressively sanctified through the work of the Holy Spirit. The church is catholic, meaning it is universal, encompassing all believers throughout history and across the globe. It is also apostolic, founded on the teachings of the apostles and continuing to proclaim the gospel as revealed in Scripture.

The church is not merely a building or an institution but a community of believers who are called out by God and united in Christ. It is a place where believers gather to worship, grow in faith, and carry out the mission of God in the world. The church is a reflection of the kingdom of God, a foretaste of the glory to come when all believers will worship together in the presence of God.

Key Takeaways

1. The church is not a human invention but a divine creation, established by Jesus Christ to carry out His mission on earth. It is through the church that God works in the world, and it is the means by which believers are united in Christ and equipped for service. [64:35]
2. The church is one, despite outward divisions. It is united under one head, Jesus Christ, and shares a common mission and purpose. This unity is a reflection of the unity between the Father and the Son and is a testimony to the world of the truth of the gospel. [82:39]
3. The church is holy, set apart by God and progressively sanctified through the work of the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to grow in holiness through the means of grace, such as the preaching of the word, the sacraments, and pastoral care. [89:09]
4. The church is catholic, meaning it is universal and encompasses all believers throughout history and across the globe. This universality is a reflection of the unity of all believers in Christ and the shared mission of proclaiming the gospel to the world. [93:02]
5. The church is apostolic, founded on the teachings of the apostles and continuing to proclaim the gospel as revealed in Scripture. The church does not reinvent the teachings of Jesus but faithfully proclaims them to the world. [97:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[47:38] - Church Partnership Program
[50:15] - Introduction of Dr. John Tweedale
[51:54] - Doctrine of the Church
[52:38] - Historical Context of the Nicene Creed
[54:17] - Confession of Faith
[55:12] - The Church in Articles of Faith
[57:16] - Challenges Facing the Church
[58:01] - Calvin's View on the Church
[61:52] - What is the Church?
[63:54] - Jesus' Teaching on the Church
[65:15] - Importance of Matthew 16:18
[67:05] - The Church Belongs to Christ
[69:25] - The Church's Role and Identity
[73:11] - The Local and Universal Church
[77:04] - Metaphors for the Church
[79:17] - Attributes of the Church
[88:53] - The Church is Holy
[93:02] - The Church is Catholic
[97:33] - The Church is Apostolic
[99:58] - Conclusion and Prayer

Sermon Clips

The church is not merely a building or an institution but a community of believers who are called out by God and united in Christ. It is a place where believers gather to worship, grow in faith, and carry out the mission of God in the world. [01:16:05]

The church is one, despite outward divisions. It is united under one head, Jesus Christ, and shares a common mission and purpose. This unity is a reflection of the unity between the Father and the Son and is a testimony to the world of the truth of the gospel. [01:22:39]

The church is holy, set apart by God and progressively sanctified through the work of the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to grow in holiness through the means of grace, such as the preaching of the word, the sacraments, and pastoral care. [01:29:09]

The church is catholic, meaning it is universal and encompasses all believers throughout history and across the globe. This universality is a reflection of the unity of all believers in Christ and the shared mission of proclaiming the gospel to the world. [01:33:02]

The church is apostolic, founded on the teachings of the apostles and continuing to proclaim the gospel as revealed in Scripture. The church does not reinvent the teachings of Jesus but faithfully proclaims them to the world. [01:37:54]

The church belongs to Christ and is stamped with an impression that says, "property of Jesus Christ, king of kings and Lord of lords." The church is not owned by any other person or institution but is Christ's church. [01:07:05]

The church is a reflection of the kingdom of God, a foretaste of the glory to come when all believers will worship together in the presence of God. It is a community that is owned and operated by Jesus, and it is through the church that God works in the world. [01:09:25]

The church is a Congregation of Christ's disciples, an assembly of Blood-Bought Saints, a gathering of gospel-driven Saints who have been redeemed. It is a fellowship of those who are united to Christ, a Covenant Community. [01:17:04]

The church is described as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. These attributes are not just theological concepts but realities that define the church's identity and mission. [01:19:17]

The church is the means by which believers are united in Christ and equipped for service. It is through the church that God works in the world, and it is the means by which believers are united in Christ and equipped for service. [01:04:35]

The church is not a human invention but a divine creation, established by Jesus Christ to carry out His mission on earth. It is through the church that God works in the world, and it is the means by which believers are united in Christ and equipped for service. [01:03:54]

The church is a universal Society formed on the principle of an organic body having a head and members. This constitution proceeds on the ground of a covenant embracing the head and all of its members in a state of Union and community communion together. [01:33:02]

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