Ephesians 4:15-16

In remembrance of me 1 Cor 11:23

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

THE CHURCH HAS A MISSION May seem impossible. Requires participation of each member. Requires each doing his/her part. Christians are left on this earth because we have a mission.

WHAT IS OUR MISSION? Evangelism Edification Benevolence

‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel EVANGELISM Jesus commissioned the apostles to evangelize. Mark 16:15-16 Acts 1:8 Acts 13:1-5 "And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’" ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel

Jesus commissioned the apostles to evangelize. Mark 16:15-16 Acts 1:8 Acts 13:1-5 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." You shall be witnesses to Me in all Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Jesus commissioned the apostles to evangelize. Mark 16:15-16 Acts 1:8 Acts 13:1-5 “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.” (verses 4-5) They preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews.

First century Christians felt personal responsibility to evangelize. Acts 8:1 Acts 8:4 “…At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

First century Christians felt personal responsibility to evangelize. Acts 8:1 Acts 8:4 “…At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. except the apostles.

First century Christians felt personal responsibility to evangelize. Acts 8:1 Acts 8:4 "Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. went everywhere preaching the word.”

First century Christians felt personal responsibility to evangelize. Acts 8:1 Acts 8:4 Acts 8:26-40 Philip taught not only the multitudes in Samaria, but also the Ethiopian eunuch. multitudes in Samaria, Ethiopian eunuch.

First century Christians felt personal responsibility to evangelize. Acts 8:1 Acts 8:4 Acts 8:26-40 Acts 2, 10:24-48 Peter not only taught multitudes on Pentecost day, he also taught Cornelius and his relatives. multitudes Cornelius and his Relatives.

First century Christians felt personal responsibility to evangelize. Acts 8:1 Acts 8:4 Acts 8:26-40 Acts 2, 10:24-48 Acts 16:30-35 Paul and Silas taught the jailer and his household. the jailer household.

First century Christians felt personal responsibility to evangelize. Acts 8:1 Acts 8:4 Acts 8:26-40 Acts 2, 10:24-48 Acts 16:30-35 Acts 20:20 “…and taught you publicly and from house to house…” Publicly and from house to house…”

We must feel personal responsibility to evangelize. We let our light shine. Matthew 5:16 “Let you light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We must feel personal responsibility to evangelize. Let our light shine Matthew 5:16 Use our God-given talents Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus commends those who used their talents but condemned the one who hid his talent.

We must feel personal responsibility to evangelize. Let our light shine Matthew 5:16 Use our God-given talents Matthew 25:14-30 Labor and bear fruit 1 Corinthians 15:58 John 15:8 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

We must feel personal responsibility to evangelize. Let our light shine Matthew 5:16 Use our God-given talents Matthew 25:14-30 Labor and bear fruit 1 Corinthians 15:58 John 15:8 “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” “By this My Father is glorified, bear much fruit;

Requires strict adherence to God’s way. God’s method of evangelism is preaching. 1 Corinthians 1:21 "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe." the foolishness of the message preached

Requires strict adherence to God’s way. God’s method of evangelism is preaching. 1 Corinthians 1:21 2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." “Preach the word!

Requires strict adherence to God’s way. God’s method of evangelism is preaching. 1 Corinthians 1:21 2 Timothy 5:2 Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." the gospel is the power of God to salvation

Requires strict adherence to God’s way. God’s method of evangelism is preaching. 1 Corinthians 1:21 2 Timothy 5:2 Romans 1:16 2 Thessalonians 2:14 "to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." called you by our gospel,

Requires strict adherence to God’s way. God’s method of evangelism is preaching. 1 Corinthians 1:21 2 Timothy 5:2 Romans 1:16 2 Thessalonians 2:14 Galatians 1:6-9 Must not turn to “a different gospel…” Must not “pervert the gospel of Christ…” Must not “preach any other gospel…” “a different gospel…” “Pervert the gospel of Christ…” “preach any other gospel…”

EDIFICATION Original Greek Words: “oikodome” (noun) - “The act of building (a home); this is used only figuratively in the N.T. in the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual growth (Rm. 14:19; 15:2; 1 Co. 14:3, 5, 12, 26) (Vine’s word studies). “oikodomeo” (verb) – “to build, whether literally, or figuratively… (Mt. 21:42; Mk. 12:10; Lk. 20:17; Ac. 4:11… is used metaphorically, in the sense of ‘edifying,’ promoting the spiritual growth and development of character of believers, by teaching or by example, suggesting such spiritual progress as the result of patient labor (Ac. 9:31; 1 Co. 14:4; 8:1; 10:23; 14:17; 1 Th. 5:11). (Vine’s word studies).

Building a house demands The blueprint. The right material. The right tools. The right builders. This is true of building up the church.

Building up the church demands The blueprint. The right material. The right tools. The right builders. The word of God contains the blueprint, materials, and tools for building up the church. Word of God

(Acts 20:32) "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." the word of His grace, is able to build you up

The word of God contains the blueprint, materials, and tools for building up the church. Those who are to use these tools are Christians.

Those who are to use these tools are Christians. The word of God contains the blueprint, materials, and tools for building up the church. Those who are to use these tools are Christians. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." edify one another,

Those who are to use these tools are Christians. The word of God contains the blueprint, materials, and tools for building up the church. Those who are to use these tools are Christians. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Romans 14:19 "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." one may edify another.”

The basic elements.

(Ephesians 4:15-16) "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

(Ephesians 4:15-16) "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." speaking the truth in love,

The basic elements. Speaking the truth in love.

Him who is the head; Christ; (Ephesians 4:15-16) "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." speaking the truth in love, Him who is the head; Christ;

The basic elements. Speaking the truth in love. Submitting to Christ as Head.

Him who is the head; Christ; the whole body, joined and knit (Ephesians 4:15-16) "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." speaking the truth in love, Him who is the head; Christ; the whole body, joined and knit together

The basic elements. Speaking the truth in love. Submitting to Christ as Head. Practicing unity.

Him who is the head; Christ; the whole body, joined and knit (Ephesians 4:15-16) "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." speaking the truth in love, Him who is the head; Christ; the whole body, joined and knit together

Him who is the head; Christ; the whole body, joined and knit together (Ephesians 4:15-16) "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." speaking the truth in love, Him who is the head; Christ; the whole body, joined and knit together what every joint supplies, every part does its share,

The basic elements. Speaking the truth in love. Submitting to Christ as Head. Practicing unity. Every member doing his/her part.

The basic elements. Speaking the truth in love. Submitting to Christ as Head. Practicing unity. Every member doing his/her part. CAUSES GROWTH IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

We are edified by… When and by what are we edified? Worshipping/studying together We are edified by… Working/serving together Facing trials together

Results? The body is strengthened (Col. 1:10-11). The ability of the church to reach the lost is multiplied (1 Tim. 2:2). The care we have for each other and for the lost builds (1 Cor. 12:24-26). We are mutually exhorted to faithfulness (Heb. 13:12-14; 10:24).

BENEVOLENCE Defined: “An inclination to perform kind, charitable acts…A kindly act…A gift given out of generosity.” (Webster)

God has always been concerned about the poor. Provisions were made for the poor under the law of Moses (Deut. 24:14-15; Lev. 23:21). Examples in the New Testament: Acts 2:44-45 “sold their possessions” Acts 6 – Men appointed to take care of the widows. Various congregations sent aid to the saints in Judea. (Acts 11:27-30; Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 16:15).

The church is admonished to be benevolent. “do good to all” (Galatians 6:10) “visit orphans and widows” (James 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:16) We are not to help: Those who refuse to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH Three areas: Evangelism Edification Benevolence The mission of the church is not… To entertain. Have fun and games. Sponsor ball teams, exercise or diet classes. Build gymnasiums. To cure all the social ills and injustices in the world.

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH Three areas: Evangelism Edification Benevolence NOT IMPOSSIBLE! “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:18)