The Visible and Invisible Church: Understanding Our Faith

 

Summary

The privilege of gathering together to explore the profound biblical doctrine of the church is a significant opportunity. In today's world, the doctrine of the church is often overlooked, especially among Evangelical Christians who hold a high view of Scripture and the work of God's grace. This neglect is not due to a lack of heritage but rather a downplaying of its importance. The focus on the church, particularly the distinction between its visible and invisible aspects, is crucial for understanding its biblical foundation and practical implications in the Christian life.

The doctrine of the invisible church emphasizes the sovereignty of the Spirit in the church's existence. Unlike the Roman Catholic view that equates the church's presence with the bishop, the reformers asserted that where the Spirit is, there is the church. This doctrine protects the essential truth that the Spirit of God brings the church into being. By examining key biblical passages, such as Matthew 16 and Ephesians 1, we see that the church is designed to display God's glory visibly. This visibility is crucial because it manifests God's reconciliation of humanity through Christ.

However, the church on Earth is never perfect, and thus, there is always an aspect of it that remains invisible. The invisible church comprises all of God's chosen people across all ages and places, past, present, and future. This aspect is not something we can see with human eyes, as we cannot discern the true faith in others' hearts or see the saints who have gone before us. The visible church, on the other hand, consists of those who profess faith in Christ and participate in the means of grace.

The distinction between the visible and invisible church is not meant to undermine the importance of the visible church. Instead, it highlights the reality that mere association with the church does not guarantee the inward work of the Holy Spirit. The visible church is imperfect, filled with sinners, and subject to error. Yet, it remains the ordinary means through which God grows believers. The church is a means to an end, utterly dependent on the Spirit for its work. Understanding this distinction helps us appreciate the church's role and our dependence on the Spirit for true spiritual growth.

Key Takeaways:

- The doctrine of the invisible church emphasizes the Spirit's sovereignty in the church's existence, contrasting with the Roman Catholic view that equates the church's presence with ecclesiastical authority. This doctrine protects the essential truth that the Spirit of God brings the church into being. [02:30]

- The church is designed to display God's glory visibly, manifesting God's reconciliation of humanity through Christ. This visibility is crucial for the church's role as a testament to God's grace and mercy. [10:25]

- The invisible church comprises all of God's chosen people across all ages and places, past, present, and future. This aspect is not something we can see with human eyes, as we cannot discern the true faith in others' hearts. [16:15]

- The visible church is imperfect, filled with sinners, and subject to error. Yet, it remains the ordinary means through which God grows believers, emphasizing the importance of local church involvement and the means of grace. [27:02]

- The church is a means to an end, utterly dependent on the Spirit for its work. Understanding the distinction between the visible and invisible church helps us appreciate the church's role and our dependence on the Spirit for true spiritual growth. [49:36]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - The Neglected Doctrine of the Church
[01:18] - The Importance of the Invisible Church
[02:30] - Protecting the Spirit's Sovereignty
[03:24] - Biblical Foundations of the Church
[04:23] - Visible and Invisible Church Distinction
[06:05] - Ephesians 1: God's Eternal Purpose
[08:59] - Displaying God's Glory
[10:25] - The Church's Visible Manifestation
[13:35] - Defining Invisible and Visible Church
[16:15] - The Invisible Church: All God's Chosen
[19:11] - Challenges to the Distinction
[22:19] - Apostle John's Insight
[27:02] - Importance of the Visible Church
[31:28] - Local Church Involvement
[43:55] - The Church's Dependence on the Spirit
[50:42] - Embracing the Invisible Church Doctrine

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 16:13-19
2. Ephesians 1:9-14
3. 1 John 2:18-19

---

Observation Questions:

1. In Matthew 16:13-19, what does Jesus say about the foundation of the church, and how does this relate to the visible and invisible aspects of the church? [05:24]

2. According to Ephesians 1:9-14, what is God's eternal purpose for the church, and how is this purpose visibly manifested? [07:52]

3. How does 1 John 2:18-19 illustrate the distinction between the visible and invisible church? What does this passage reveal about those who leave the church? [22:19]

4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the existence and growth of the church, as discussed in the sermon? [49:36]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the doctrine of the invisible church emphasize the sovereignty of the Spirit in the church's existence, and why is this important for our understanding of the church? [02:30]

2. In what ways does the visible church serve as a testament to God's grace and mercy, according to the sermon? How does this align with the biblical passages discussed? [10:25]

3. The sermon mentions that the visible church is imperfect and filled with sinners. How does this reality affect our expectations and involvement in the local church? [27:02]

4. How does understanding the distinction between the visible and invisible church help us appreciate our dependence on the Spirit for true spiritual growth? [49:36]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own involvement in the local church. How can you contribute to its role as a visible manifestation of God's glory? What specific actions can you take this week? [10:25]

2. The sermon highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in the church's existence. How can you cultivate a greater dependence on the Spirit in your personal spiritual growth? [49:36]

3. Consider the imperfections of the visible church. How can you approach these imperfections with grace and patience, while still striving for personal and communal growth? [27:02]

4. How can you discern the true faith in your own heart and in the hearts of others, given that the invisible church is not something we can see with human eyes? [16:15]

5. The sermon discusses the importance of local church involvement. What steps can you take to deepen your commitment to your local church community? [31:28]

6. Reflect on a time when you may have been critical of the church. How can you shift your perspective to focus on its role as a means through which God grows believers? [27:02]

7. Identify one way you can support the church's mission to display God's glory. How can you actively participate in this mission in your daily life? [10:25]

Devotional

Day 1: The Spirit's Sovereignty in the Church's Existence
The doctrine of the invisible church emphasizes the sovereignty of the Spirit in the church's existence, contrasting with the Roman Catholic view that equates the church's presence with ecclesiastical authority. This doctrine protects the essential truth that the Spirit of God brings the church into being. The reformers asserted that where the Spirit is, there is the church, highlighting the Spirit's role in the church's formation and sustenance. This understanding shifts the focus from human authority to divine presence, ensuring that the church remains a spiritual entity rather than merely an institutional one. [02:30]

"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." (1 Corinthians 12:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you become more aware of the Spirit's presence in your daily life and in your church community today?


Day 2: The Church as a Visible Display of God's Glory
The church is designed to display God's glory visibly, manifesting God's reconciliation of humanity through Christ. This visibility is crucial for the church's role as a testament to God's grace and mercy. The church serves as a living witness to the transformative power of the gospel, showcasing the unity and love that God intends for His people. By living out the gospel in community, the church becomes a beacon of hope and a tangible expression of God's kingdom on Earth. [10:25]

"So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 3:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to your church's role as a visible display of God's glory in your community today?


Day 3: The Invisible Church: God's Chosen Across All Ages
The invisible church comprises all of God's chosen people across all ages and places, past, present, and future. This aspect is not something we can see with human eyes, as we cannot discern the true faith in others' hearts. The invisible church transcends time and space, uniting believers in a spiritual fellowship that is not bound by earthly limitations. This understanding reminds us of the vastness of God's kingdom and the continuity of His work throughout history. [16:15]

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)

Reflection: Consider the legacy of faith in your own life. How can you honor and continue this legacy in your daily walk with God?


Day 4: The Imperfect Yet Essential Visible Church
The visible church is imperfect, filled with sinners, and subject to error. Yet, it remains the ordinary means through which God grows believers, emphasizing the importance of local church involvement and the means of grace. Despite its imperfections, the visible church is where believers gather to worship, learn, and serve together, providing a context for spiritual growth and accountability. Understanding the church's imperfections helps us extend grace to one another and remain committed to the community God has placed us in. [27:02]

"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." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your involvement in your local church and support its mission despite its imperfections?


Day 5: Dependence on the Spirit for True Spiritual Growth
The church is a means to an end, utterly dependent on the Spirit for its work. Understanding the distinction between the visible and invisible church helps us appreciate the church's role and our dependence on the Spirit for true spiritual growth. The Spirit empowers and guides the church, ensuring that its efforts align with God's purposes. By relying on the Spirit, believers can experience genuine transformation and contribute to the church's mission in meaningful ways. [49:36]

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Spirit's power rather than your own strength? How can you begin to make this shift today?

Quotes

The doctrine of the invisibility of the church protects the sovereignty of the spirit in our understanding of the church. One of the things that you will remember Dr. Sproul telling you last night is that over against the Roman Catholic teaching of the church wherein it was said where there is a bishop there is the church, the reformers said where the spirit is, there is the church. [00:02:38]

The church is designed to display God's glory visibly, manifesting God's reconciliation of humanity through Christ. This visibility is crucial because it manifests God's reconciliation of humanity through Christ. However, the church on Earth is never perfect, and thus, there is always an aspect of it that remains invisible. [00:09:59]

The invisible church comprises all of God's chosen people across all ages and places, past, present, and future. This aspect is not something we can see with human eyes, as we cannot discern the true faith in others' hearts or see the saints who have gone before us. [00:16:00]

The visible church is imperfect, filled with sinners, and subject to error. Yet, it remains the ordinary means through which God grows believers, emphasizing the importance of local church involvement and the means of grace. [00:27:02]

The church is a means to an end, utterly dependent on the Spirit for its work. Understanding the distinction between the visible and invisible church helps us appreciate the church's role and our dependence on the Spirit for true spiritual growth. [00:49:36]

The visible church, considered in its visible aspect or from the standpoint of its visibility, especially as we consider it under the gospel under the New Covenant, not under the shadows and forms of the old Covenant but under the New Covenant, consists of all those throughout the world that profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Avail themselves of the appointed means of Grace. [00:17:59]

The church is never ever going to be perfect in this world, and my friends, I've known many a Christian on a quest for the perfect local church. You know, it's very easy to love the invisible Church in its abstraction and not have a patience and a love for the visible church. [00:30:05]

The church is a hospital where sick Sinners get well. It's not perfect; it's not perfected, and because of its imperfection, because of our fallenness, its visibility is always to some degree compromised. The doctrine of the invisible Church reminds us that, my friends, that's actually encouraging because if the visible Church were perfect, then none of us could be in the visible church. [00:47:30]

The invisible church is the community of all True Believers in all ages. The visible church is the community that professes belief in the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world and in all ages, together with their children. Now, why is this designation of invisible and visible so important, and what is its basis? [00:43:15]

The church can never ever do its work apart from the spirit. The church is always utterly dependent upon the spirit, and those who want to over-identify the visible and the invisible Church always do so by downplaying this Divine Supernatural spiritual aspect of the church. [00:49:20]

The church is a means that God uses for an end. God uses the church, God uses his ordinances, God uses the ordinary means of Grace, the ministry of the word, the sacraments, and prayer to grow us, but only the spirit can give return. [00:48:44]

The church must always be in a posture of utter dependence upon the holy spirit, and there is nothing put within the realm of our power to do which can be done of Eternal good to the people of God or to those who are not the people of God being called to Christ apart from the work of the holy spirit. [00:50:21]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Apr 16, 2015. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?