THE CHURCH

TEXT: Deut. 6:22-23; 1Cor.1:2

INTRODUCTION

As Christians, we all are familiar with the word or name “Church” We give different meanings to this word depending on our school of thought. Again, a few of us do not see or realize the need to be identified and committed to a local assembly for the purpose of worship and Pastoral oversight. In this series, we shall attempt to look at the subject from the scriptures with the hope of ordering our lives in accordance to the truths we shall glean.

WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

A. In the Old Testament – Exo.19:17, Num.1:16; 10:7; 20:10, Deut.18:16, Judg.20:2, Ikings 8:14
The Hebrew word used is KAHAL and it occurs about 70 times:
It means: To summon, an assembly or a congregation
i.e God’s people called together in order to listen to or act for God
i.e Called from their tents, vocations or preoccupations
e.g
‚ Abraham was called out of Ur of the Chaldeans i.e Modern Babylon –Gen.12:1, Heb.11:8
‚ Israel was called out of Egypt i.e Religion, life the world

They were called to be: become a peculiar treasure
– A chosen and a holy nation to God
– They were the church in the wilderness.

B. In the New Testament: – Math.16:18; 18:17; 1Cor.1:2; 10:32
The Greek word used is: EKKLESIA used over 150 times compound word from 2word viz EK – i.e. out of
Kaleo – i.e. To call
i.e. the called out ones
For e.g: The N.T. church is called one of every tribe and tongue IICor.6:14-18; Rev.5:9-10, 18:4
– Called out of Darkness into light – 1Pet.2:9
– Called to a new vocation (i.e a new way and standard of life) Eph.4:1
– Grk –Kleesis – i.e an invitation to feast or treat! Psm.23:4-5; Isa.25:6-9 (NIV)

B2. Being called out speaks of

‚ A belonging -1Pet 2:9-10, 1Cor. 6:19-20
‚ An availability
‚ Surrenderness -i.e nothing too important to be left for God
‚ An expectation -Prov. 23:18
‚ A readiness to act or obey
‚ A sense of family or community
‚ An act of faith – Heb. 11:6
‚ Called out of something i.e no room for laziness in the church –Ecc.9:10, 2Thess.3:10

C. THE NATURE OF THE CALL Confidence – Heb.10:35
‚ A calling that has Hope – Eph.4:4 -i.e Grk Elpis calling has Joyful expectation –Prov.23:18
‚ It is a High calling – Phil.3:14 –i.e Grk –Ano – calling designed to put us on Top i.e above or upward. Guarantees a change in position!
‚ It is a Holy calling – IITim.1:9-Grk Hagio- i.e set apart for God – 1Cor.1:2 (LB, TEV) i.e exclusively God’s
‚ It is a Heavenly calling – Heb.3:1-Grk Epouranios- of heavenly origin and nature i.e a taste of heaven (1Cor.15:48-49 (NIV)
‚ It is a calling to His kingdom and Eternal Glory – 1Pet.5:10, 1Thess.2:12

D. THE MAKE-UP OF THE CHURCH
i. The Lord Jesus Christ is the founder, originator and builder of His church. – Matt.16:18
ii. The church is the body of Christ and He is the Head – Eph.1:22-23; Col.2:19
iii. The church is made up of the universal body of believers i.e
‚ Saints Triumphant – Those dead and gone to heaven – Heb.12:22-23
‚ Saints Militant – Those alive and working out their salvation – Rev.1:11
iv. Entry into the body is through salvation: ICor.12:12-13, IICor.5:19,
v. He is the one that adds His church – John 6:44, Acts 2:47; 5:14; 11:24

E. FOUR (4) THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THE CHURCH
– Read Eph.2:19-22
i. Despite many denominations or local assembly, the church is one body – Eph.4:3-6
ii. The church is corporately consecrated to God, just like individual believers are so, she is Holy – Eph.2:21
iii. The church is CATHOLIC – i.e together she holds the full body of truth and fullness of faith – Col.1:18-19;2:8-10; 1John 2:20
iv. The church is APOSTOLIC and PROPHETIC – she is founded on the teachings of the Apostles –Eph.2:20

G. MEMBERSHIP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

Read: 1Cor.12:12-14; Eph.4:4-6
i. One cannot join the body of Christ i.e the church like joining a club.
Firstly, membership is spiritual. You are first added to the Lord before being added to the church.
The route to the addition is Repentance – Matt.3:2, 4:17, Acts 17:30
– Turning from sin
– Faith towards God
Upon being added to the Lord, He then adds you to the church as part of His building. You are given to a body of believers e.g Local church, fellowship e.t.c – 1Pet.2:5-9
Pls. note: God’s purpose is to build a House i.e a people for His habitation by the spirit. He does it in 2ways:

1. Multiplication i.e Evangelism
To build a natural house you do the following
Draw the plan – Eph.2:10;4:13
Get the building materials in place – 1Pet.2:5-9, Eph.2:20-22
This is done by evangelism – Matt.13:47;
Cutting to the required shape or size – Isa.51:1, Matt.28:19-20
– Appropriate Movement by the spirit – 1Cor.12:12-13; Rom.12:3-9
The five fold ministries are the stone masons – Eph.4:9-16

2. Assembling i.e Edification
A heap of stones don’t make a building
Matt.16:18 … Build my church…
Build – GRK – OIKODOMEO – To build as in a building, to be placed
To be put in order or to be arranged
– Cutting of individual stones to size and to fit
Heb.10:25, 1Cor.11:17-20, 33-34
Things that Edify – 1Thess.5:11, 1Cor.14:26;
The word – Acts.20:32, Matt.7:24-27
The worship – Heb.13:15-16; 1Pet.2:5
The prayer – Jude 20, 1Cor.14:3-5
Fellowship – 1Cor.14:26, Eph.4:12-16
Exercise – Matt.28:19-20
Five fold Ministry gifts – Eph.2:20-22;4:11-12

H. CHOOSING A LOCAL ASSEMBLY
i. The salvation experience i.e where you got born again
ii. By invitation and subsequent conviction to stay
iii. Coming to know that the set man is God’s servant for your life
iv. Availability of good quality word, prayers and worship
v. Your church must add value to your life
vi. Availability of opportunity for exercise
vii. Your church must be earthly useful and relevant while focusing on heaven and its propagation.

I. WHY DO MANY PEOPLE REJECT PRACTICAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP?
Many believers reject any form of church membership. Various reasons may be mentioned, some of which are as follows:
i. Fear of being hurt, having been hurt by other shepherds (Ezekiel 34; Jeremiah 23; John 10)
ii. Fear of legalism, and threats
iii. Do not believe it is scriptural, as to belong to the church.
iv. Do not have a submissive spirit.
v. Desire to be self-governing, self-directing, lawless, do it alone, independent, “Jesus and me, I need nobody else”, attitude.
vi. Do not want to support a church financially with tithes or offerings.
vii. Do not desire to come under correction, discipline or protection (CF.1Corinthians 5)
viii. Do not want to be committed to anything local or visible assembly
ix. Do not want to be responsible and accountable to anyone.

J. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BLESSINGS OF PRACTICAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP?
i. Security in the family of God. Everyone needs a sense of security
ii. Fellowship – a sense of belonging, company of God’s people
iii. Protection from wolves (Hebrews 13:7, 17; Acts 20:28-32)
iv. Spiritual food and nourishment from the word of God
v. Discipline, correction and adjustment where necessary (I Corinthians 5:13)
vi. Ministry of life, healing and health by the members of the body (James 5:14).
vii. The Communion Table – Life of the risen Lord.
viii. Love, care and concern is a practical way by the oversight ministries (Ephesians 4:9-16).
ix. Support of the ministries and the church by tithes and offerings and the blessings of an open heavens (Malachi 3:8-11)
Pls Note: One cannot expect to receive all the blessings and benefits of the Lord’s church when one is not willing to be committed to the responsibilities of membership! Membership may be transferred to other Local Churches if a person moves geographically.

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Apostle (DR.) Udoh

Pastor at The Father's House Ministry

Apostle (DR.) Richard Udoh is the senior pastor of The Father's house Ministry, a fast growing gospel church. A passionate preacher & a prolific writer. He also authors The Father's Menu, a power packed monthly daily devotional book.

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