Understanding the Church: Unity, Presence, and Purpose
Summary
In this sermon, I explored the Apostle Paul's approach to addressing the issues within the Corinthian church, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 14. Rather than focusing solely on the specific problem of speaking in tongues, Paul elevates the discussion to consider the broader context of the church's life and purpose. This method reveals a profound insight: many of our troubles stem from an inadequate understanding of the nature of the Christian Church. Paul consistently addresses the problems in Corinth by reminding them of their identity as a church, an organic unity, rather than a mere collection of individuals.
Throughout the epistle, Paul tackles various issues, such as divisions over favorite preachers, tolerance of sin, and disputes over spiritual gifts, by emphasizing the church's nature as the body of Christ. He argues that the church should be characterized by unity, discipline, and a focus on edification. The presence of God among the congregation is the defining feature of a true church, and this presence is evidenced by life, power, order, and understanding.
Paul's approach is a call to the modern church to reassess its identity and purpose. The church is not merely a social club or a place for political activism; it is a gathering where the presence of the Living God is manifest. This presence should lead to conviction of sin, transformation, and a testimony that God is truly among us. The church's mission is to evangelize and edify, providing a beacon of light and truth in a world filled with confusion and ignorance.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding the Church's Nature: The church is not just a collection of individuals but an organic unity, the body of Christ. This understanding is crucial for addressing internal conflicts and divisions. Recognizing our interconnectedness helps us to act with love and consideration for one another, fostering unity and peace. [05:15]
2. The Presence of God: The defining characteristic of a true church is the presence of the Living God. This presence brings life, power, and transformation, distinguishing the church from any other gathering. It is this divine presence that convicts, converts, and comforts those who enter. [24:59]
3. Life and Power: Where God is present, there is life and power. This vitality should be evident in the church's worship and witness, drawing people in and transforming lives. A church devoid of life and energy fails to reflect the reality of God's presence. [27:14]
4. Order and Discipline: While life and power are essential, they must be accompanied by order and discipline. God is not the author of confusion, and a well-ordered church reflects His nature. This balance ensures that the church remains a place of peace and edification. [37:50]
5. Edification and Understanding: The church's mission includes teaching and edifying its members, providing them with the knowledge and understanding necessary to live out their faith. In a world filled with ignorance and confusion, the church must be a beacon of truth and light. [43:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 14
- [01:15] - The Problem of Speaking in Tongues
- [02:23] - Paul's Method of Addressing Problems
- [03:19] - Divisions Over Preachers
- [05:49] - Tolerance of Sin in the Church
- [07:46] - Issues of Marriage and Family
- [08:17] - Eating Meat Offered to Idols
- [12:27] - Spiritual Gifts and Church Unity
- [15:34] - The Church's True Purpose
- [20:52] - Misconceptions About the Church
- [24:59] - The Presence of God in the Church
- [27:14] - Life and Power as Evidence of God's Presence
- [37:50] - The Importance of Order and Discipline
- [43:14] - Edification and Understanding in the Church
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 1 Corinthians 14:23-25
- 1 Corinthians 12:27
- John 13:34-35
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul suggest might happen if an unbeliever enters a church where everyone is speaking in tongues? ([00:09])
2. How does Paul describe the church in 1 Corinthians 12:27, and what metaphor does he use to explain its nature? ([14:00])
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the issues that were causing division in the Corinthian church? ([04:33])
4. What does the presence of God in a church lead to, according to the sermon? ([24:59])
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the church as an "organic unity" rather than a collection of individuals help address internal conflicts? ([05:15])
2. In what ways does the presence of God distinguish a church from other gatherings or social clubs? ([24:59])
3. How does Paul’s approach to addressing issues in the Corinthian church serve as a model for modern churches dealing with internal problems? ([02:23])
4. What role does order and discipline play in a church that is full of life and power? ([37:50])
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your understanding of the church. Do you see it more as a social gathering or as a place where the presence of God is manifest? How might this perspective affect your involvement in church activities? ([20:52])
2. Consider a time when you felt the presence of God in a church setting. What were the circumstances, and how did it impact your faith journey? ([24:59])
3. How can you contribute to the unity and edification of your church community? Are there specific actions you can take to foster a sense of organic unity? ([05:15])
4. In what ways can you help ensure that your church is a place of order and discipline, without stifling the life and power of the Spirit? ([37:50])
5. Think about a person in your life who might be curious about faith. How can you engage them in a conversation that reflects the life and power of God’s presence in your church? ([24:59])
6. How can you personally ensure that your church experience is not just a routine but a genuine encounter with God? What changes might you need to make in your approach to worship? ([24:59])
7. Identify one area in your church where you see a need for more teaching and edification. How can you be a part of addressing this need? ([43:14])
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as an Organic Unity
The church is not merely a gathering of individuals but an organic unity, the body of Christ. This understanding is crucial for addressing internal conflicts and divisions. Recognizing our interconnectedness helps us to act with love and consideration for one another, fostering unity and peace. When we see ourselves as part of a larger whole, we are more likely to prioritize the well-being of the community over personal preferences. This perspective encourages us to work together harmoniously, reflecting the unity that is found in Christ. [05:15]
"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." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a recent conflict or disagreement within your church community. How can you approach this situation with a mindset of unity and interconnectedness, seeking the well-being of the whole body of Christ?
Day 2: The Defining Presence of God
The defining characteristic of a true church is the presence of the Living God. This presence brings life, power, and transformation, distinguishing the church from any other gathering. It is this divine presence that convicts, converts, and comforts those who enter. When God is truly among us, His presence is evident in the vitality and energy of the church's worship and witness. A church that lacks this life and power fails to reflect the reality of God's presence. [24:59]
"And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people." (Leviticus 26:12, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your personal experience of God's presence in your church. How can you contribute to creating an environment where His presence is more evident and transformative?
Day 3: Life and Power in the Church
Where God is present, there is life and power. This vitality should be evident in the church's worship and witness, drawing people in and transforming lives. A church devoid of life and energy fails to reflect the reality of God's presence. The presence of God should lead to conviction of sin, transformation, and a testimony that God is truly among us. This life and power are not just for the benefit of the church members but also serve as a beacon to the world, demonstrating the reality of God's kingdom. [27:14]
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in your church's worship and witness to ensure that the life and power of God are evident to all who encounter your community?
Day 4: Order and Discipline Reflect God's Nature
While life and power are essential, they must be accompanied by order and discipline. God is not the author of confusion, and a well-ordered church reflects His nature. This balance ensures that the church remains a place of peace and edification. Order and discipline help maintain focus on the church's mission and prevent distractions that can lead to division and chaos. By embracing these principles, the church can create an environment where spiritual growth and transformation can flourish. [37:50]
"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:33, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your church or personal life where order and discipline are lacking. What steps can you take to bring about greater alignment with God's nature of peace and order?
Day 5: Edification and Understanding as the Church's Mission
The church's mission includes teaching and edifying its members, providing them with the knowledge and understanding necessary to live out their faith. In a world filled with ignorance and confusion, the church must be a beacon of truth and light. By prioritizing edification and understanding, the church equips its members to navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and grace. This mission extends beyond the church walls, as believers are called to share the truth and light of the gospel with the world. [43:14]
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively engage in the teaching and edification opportunities within your church to grow in your understanding and ability to live out your faith?
Quotes
Now here you notice what the greater puzzle does is this he takes this particular problem but instead of concentrating solely on the problem he lifts it up and puts it into the context of the life of the whole church and thereby he leads us to the great secret of his method of facing and dealing with every kind of problem. [00:02:55]
He says you are tolerating this men in the membership of your church because you don't dwell as were the churches a church he says is not a mere gathering or collection of individuals a church is a kind of organic unity it's like a lump or a mess of dough and you put just a speck of leaven into that and because of the character of the dough and the leaven this little speck will pollute the entire mess. [00:07:05]
He says take heed lest by any means this Liberty of yours is addressing the stronger people here becomes a stumbling block to them that are weak he says through thy knowledge shall I weak brother perish for whom Christ died and then he sums it up wherefore if meat make my brother to offend I will eat no flesh while the world standeth lest I make my brother to offend. [00:10:09]
The church he says is like a loaf it's not a mere addition of particular members it's this organic vital unity it's like a loaf of bread now he says you're violating that and you must realize anew the nature of the church and so we come to these three great chapters 12 13 and 14 in which he takes up perhaps what was the greatest problem of all namely the problem of these spiritual gifts. [00:12:01]
Now says Paul realize the body is not a collection of fingers and hems and various parts stuck together no no it's an organic unity it's one and every part is necessary and the gifts are given to the body and they're all to be used whether great or small spectacular or ordinary doesn't matter they are all to be used to the glory of the head the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:14:52]
The real problem today is the doctrine of the nature of the church this is where we've gone wrong and all our troubles are the result of this initial and central failure and so you see in this 14th chapter when he does deal it a little bit more extensively with a particular question of speaking in tongues he again reverts to his favorite method he lifts it up and he puts it into the context of the church. [00:15:34]
The defining characteristic of a true church is the presence of the Living God. This presence brings life, power, and transformation, distinguishing the church from any other gathering. It is this divine presence that convicts, converts, and comforts those who enter. [00:24:59]
The first proof always of the presence of God is life and power and energy and vigor wherever God is there is life God is the author of all being God is the creator of the whole universe God said that the be light and there was light power he sustains it all by the word of his power. [00:26:07]
The power of God is always a controlled power it is an ordered power that's why you get design and order and arrangement and that's why you get the laws of nature great power but ordered and discipline and this is the characteristic of God always in every realm in the spiritual as well as in the other. [00:38:25]
The church is here to give understanding my dear friends we need to come back to this I'm told repeatedly by ministers at the present time that people no longer want preaching they say they don't want a sermon that's lost more than quarter hour or twenty minutes they say we can't take it we can't stand it they want more music they want more entertainment they want some display. [00:43:14]
The church's mission includes teaching and edifying its members, providing them with the knowledge and understanding necessary to live out their faith. In a world filled with ignorance and confusion, the church must be a beacon of truth and light. [00:43:14]
The final way of putting it is this it's this stranger who comes in who really tests whether we're a church or not how does he do it well he says says personally does it like this if all prophesy and there come in one that believeth not or one unlearned if you're a true Church what happens he is convinced of all he is judged of all. [00:46:22]
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