The Essential Role of the Church in Believers' Lives

 

Summary

The church is a divine institution, a pillar and buttress of truth, designed by God to be a community where believers can grow in grace and serve Him. Despite its imperfections, the church remains essential for our spiritual well-being. God has chosen the church as the means through which His manifold wisdom is made known to the world. It is not good for us to be alone; we are called to be part of the church, Christ's body, which is the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

The necessity of the church is underscored by the teachings of early church leaders like Cyprian, who famously stated, "He who will not have the church as his mother, will not have God as his Father." This sentiment is echoed in the Westminster Confession of Faith, which emphasizes that ordinarily, there is no salvation outside the church. The church is where the means of grace are ministered, where we are built up in faith, and where we are connected to Christ.

Paul, in his letter to Timothy, highlights the nature of the church using three images: the household of God, the church of the living God, and a pillar and buttress of the truth. The church as a household implies a family where members care for one another, provide for one another, and love one another. It is a place of connection and responsibility. The church as the church of the living God emphasizes the importance of gathering for worship, meeting with the living God, and experiencing His presence. Lastly, the church as a pillar and buttress of the truth signifies its role in supporting and teaching the truth, amidst a world filled with lies.

The church must not become a mere club, theater, or temple. It should not be a place of mere social gathering, entertainment, or superficial reverence. Instead, it should be a place where the truth is central, where the gospel is preached and heard, and where believers are built up in faith. We must be committed to being part of a real church, one that honors Christ and fulfills its divine purpose.

Key Takeaways:

- The church is essential for spiritual growth and well-being. It is not merely a social institution but a divine community where believers are built up in faith and connected to Christ. The church is where the manifold wisdom of God is made known to the world. [03:54]

- The church is a family, a household of God, where members care for, provide for, and love one another. It is a place of connection and responsibility, where believers are bound together in Christ. [16:19]

- Gathering for worship is crucial. The church is the church of the living God, where believers meet with God, hear His Word, and respond in prayer and praise. It is not a place for mere entertainment or emotional experiences. [20:06]

- The church is a pillar and buttress of the truth, a place where the truth is taught and learned. It is essential for believers to be grounded in truth amidst a world filled with lies and deception. [22:36]

- We must be committed to being part of a real church, one that honors Christ and fulfills its divine purpose. The church is where the gospel is preached and heard, and where believers are built up in faith. [26:36]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - Introduction to the Church
[01:22] - Challenges and Flaws of the Church
[03:09] - The Necessity of the Church
[04:35] - Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 3:14-16
[06:04] - Apostolic Prescriptions for Church Behavior
[07:32] - Cyprian's Perspective on the Church
[09:24] - Historical Confessions on Church Necessity
[11:00] - The Church as a Gathering of the Saved
[12:35] - The Church as a Place of Blessing
[14:12] - The Nature of the Church
[16:19] - The Church as a Family
[20:06] - The Church of the Living God
[22:36] - The Church as a Pillar of Truth
[26:36] - The Importance of Preaching and Hearing
[31:03] - Dangers of Church as Theater or Temple
[36:47] - Pursuing the True Church
[38:28] - Summary of Godliness and True Religion
[43:09] - Standing Firm in the Church
[43:57] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1 Timothy 3:14-16

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the three images Paul uses to describe the church in 1 Timothy 3:15, and what do they signify? [14:52]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the church being described as "the household of God"? [16:19]

3. How does the sermon explain the role of the church as a "pillar and buttress of the truth"? [22:36]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the necessity of gathering for worship in the church of the living God? [20:06]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret Cyprian's statement, "He who will not have the church as his mother, will not have God as his Father"? What implications does this have for the necessity of the church? [08:23]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church can become corrupted into a mere club, theater, or temple? How does this affect its divine purpose? [31:03]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the Word and the church? Why is it important to understand this relationship correctly? [22:36]

4. What does the sermon imply about the role of truth in the church, and how does this relate to the challenges of living in a world filled with lies? [24:08]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own experience with the church. Do you see it as a family where members care for and love one another? If not, what steps can you take to foster a more familial atmosphere in your church community? [16:19]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of gathering for worship. How can you prioritize attending church gatherings, and what changes might you need to make in your schedule to do so? [20:06]

3. Consider the idea of the church as a "pillar and buttress of the truth." How can you contribute to ensuring that your church remains a place where truth is taught and learned? [22:36]

4. The sermon warns against the church becoming a place of mere entertainment or emotional experiences. How can you ensure that your focus during church services remains on worshiping God rather than seeking personal gratification? [31:03]

5. Reflect on the necessity of being part of a real church that honors Christ. Are there any changes you need to make in your commitment to your church community to align with this vision? [36:47]

6. The sermon discusses the importance of the church in making the manifold wisdom of God known to the world. How can you actively participate in this mission within your church? [03:54]

7. How can you support your church leaders in their roles, ensuring that the church fulfills its divine purpose as described in the sermon? [44:49]

Devotional

Day 1: The Church as a Divine Community
The church is not just a social institution but a divine community where believers are nurtured in faith and connected to Christ. It is through the church that God's manifold wisdom is revealed to the world. Despite its imperfections, the church remains essential for spiritual growth and well-being. The church is a place where believers can grow in grace, serve God, and be part of a community that supports and encourages them in their faith journey. The church is where the means of grace are ministered, and where believers are built up in faith. [03:54]

Ephesians 3:10-11 (ESV): "So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community to help reveal God's wisdom to the world around you?


Day 2: The Church as a Family
The church is described as a household of God, a family where members care for, provide for, and love one another. It is a place of connection and responsibility, where believers are bound together in Christ. Being part of the church means being part of a family that supports and encourages each other in their faith journey. This familial aspect of the church emphasizes the importance of relationships and community within the body of Christ. It is a place where believers can find support, encouragement, and accountability as they grow in their faith. [16:19]

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: In what ways can you contribute to the sense of family and community within your church this week?


Day 3: The Church of the Living God
Gathering for worship is crucial as the church is the church of the living God, where believers meet with God, hear His Word, and respond in prayer and praise. It is not a place for mere entertainment or emotional experiences, but a place where believers can encounter the living God and experience His presence. Worship is central to the life of the church, and it is through worship that believers are drawn closer to God and to one another. The church is a place where believers can come together to worship God, hear His Word, and be transformed by His presence. [20:06]

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: How can you prioritize gathering for worship and encourage others to do the same in your church community?


Day 4: The Church as a Pillar of Truth
The church is a pillar and buttress of the truth, a place where the truth is taught and learned. It is essential for believers to be grounded in truth amidst a world filled with lies and deception. The church plays a vital role in supporting and teaching the truth, and it is through the church that believers can be equipped to discern truth from falsehood. The church is a place where the gospel is preached and heard, and where believers are built up in faith. It is important for believers to be committed to being part of a church that honors Christ and fulfills its divine purpose. [22:36]

1 Timothy 3:15 (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."

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that you are being grounded in truth through your involvement in your church?


Day 5: Commitment to a Real Church
We must be committed to being part of a real church, one that honors Christ and fulfills its divine purpose. The church is where the gospel is preached and heard, and where believers are built up in faith. It is important for believers to be part of a church that is not just a social club or a place of entertainment, but a place where the truth is central and where believers can grow in their faith. Being part of a real church means being committed to the mission and purpose of the church, and being actively involved in the life of the church. [26:36]

Colossians 1:18 (ESV): "And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."

Reflection: How can you deepen your commitment to your church and its mission in the coming weeks?

Quotes


God does not want us to be alone. He made that point in creation, "It is not good that man should be alone," and He makes that point in re-creation. It is not good for us to be alone. It is not right for us to be alone. It is not God's plan for us to be alone. [00:02:54]

The church, Christ's body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Wow! That's the greatness of the church. And then, in Ephesians, Paul talks about the purpose of the church, that through the church, the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the world. God has a purpose for the church. [00:03:54]

Cyprian, in the North African city of Carthage who declared famously, "He who will not have God, he who will not have the church as his mother, will not have God as his Father." Even more famously he said, "Outside the church, there is no salvation." Hmm. What do you think about that? [00:08:11]

The Belgic Confession, even better, says, thank you, those of you who laughed. Article 28, "We believe that since this holy assembly and congregation is a gathering of those who are saved, and there is no salvation apart from it, no one ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself, regardless of his status or condition, but all people are obliged to join and unite with it." [00:10:27]

The church is a weekly place of blessing, the weekly place of encouragement, the weekly place of comfort, the weekly place of fellowship, the weekly place of upbuilding. Now, it may also be the weekly place of challenge. It may also be the weekly place of a major confrontation, but it's intended to be a blessing from the Lord. [00:12:25]

Families are people who are bound together and who care for one another, who provide for one another, who love one another. Is that what the church is for us in our experience? I had a friend who had been in church for a number of years and was sick and at home for a couple of months. No one from the church noticed she wasn't there. [00:16:39]

We are a body and a family and a connectedness. And in a world of such alienation, in a culture with so much family breakdown, how important it is that the church be a family. And therefore, provide a place, particularly, for people who may not have much connection to earthly families, but can find in the family of God, a place of love and care and connection. [00:19:24]

I think it's very purposeful that Paul says, "The church of the living God," we gather to meet with the living God. I think that may be one of the hardest things to help Reformed people keep clearly in their minds as they worship, that they are not just sitting there looking at the speaker, they are not just there looking at the pastor, but they are meeting with the living God. [00:21:02]

The church is the place where the truth is supported. That's what this image says. The church is the place where the truth is supported, the pillar and buttress, the pillar and help of the truth. The church is a place where the truth is taught and learned. So, it's important the church be a family, it's important that the church be a gathering, but it's also important that the church be the place of truth where truth is growing. [00:23:32]

Calvin famously defined the church as the place where the gospel is preached and heard. You can have a preaching station, but it is not a church. In a preaching station, the gospel can be preached, but it may not be heard. That brings me, of course, Aimee Semple McPherson. Thank you. Sister Aimee used to take a chair out on the street corner, and she would stand up on the chair, and she would close her eyes and raise her hands to heaven and pray. [00:26:25]

The church is where the truth is taught and heard. And just as the ministers must faithfully teach it, the congregation must faithfully hear it and embrace it and receive it. The church must be founded on the truth. And just as these three images that Paul presents, help us to see what the church is, we can see by some reflection, I think, how churches are tempted to depart from what the apostle is picturing for us in these words. [00:27:25]

Do you want to stand firm for Christ? You must stand firm in the church. You can't do it alone. You must stand firm in the church, which is the family of God, the gathering of God, the school of God, so that we will experience all of that blessedness of drawing ever closer to Christ and being part of His glory. [00:43:18]

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Transcript
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