New Church Blueprints Tab #5 “Falling In Love With The Church”

“When he really met Jesus, Paul dramatically changed his attitude toward the church.” Paul’s Change of Attitude

“On that day (Stephen’s death) a great persecution broke out against the church...Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.” Acts 8:2-3

“Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples...He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’” Acts 9:1,4

“’Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’” Acts 9:6

Paul’s experience in meeting Jesus led him to this attitude- changing conclusion: “Any wrong I do to the church, in God’s eyes I do to Jesus.” Jesus & the Church are One

“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…” Ephesians 3:10

“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word…” Ephesians 5:25-26

“…to present her to himself as a radiant church without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:27

“After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church -- for we are members of his body.” Ephesians 5:29-30

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:31-32

I. Understanding Our Culture A. Many are highly skeptical of organized religion. B. George Gallup says over 40 million Americans have faith without fellowship.

C. Our call as church leaders is to teach our generation it is God’s will that they embrace, fall in love with, and give themselves up for that imperfect group of people Christ gave Himself up for-- the Church!

II. Understanding God’s Solution A. The solution for this “culture” problem regarding commitment to Christ’s Church, as for any problem within the church, is correct teaching from the word of God. (Matt 22:29)

“You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” -- Jesus Matthew 22:29

B. Both Jesus and God are perfect. The Church, the physical expression of Jesus in the world today, is not perfect! It is important that we teach, this is NOT a surprise nor a discouragement to God!

C. Jesus knew His church would be imperfect when He planted and refocused the very first one in Jerusalem! 1. The treasurer was stealing. (John 12:6) 2. One of them betrayed Him. (Luke 22:47-48) 3. When needed, they all slept. (Matt 26:40) 4. The “board” deserted Him...(Matt 26:55-56) 5. The key leader disowned Him.(Matt 26:75)

D. If this happened to Jesus as the leader, we can certainly expect there will be many kinds of problems that every new or refocused church will have because of imperfect people.

E. Yet even though they hurt Him, Christ gave Himself up for this group of imperfect people! His Church! (Ephesians 5:26)

F. He did so because He knew THE ONLY WAY that local churches would become healthy all over the world, is by people following His example and giving themselves up for the Church.

III. Understanding Christ’s Sacrifice A. Salvation is an individual choice we make, but God’s Word teaches that Jesus sacrificed Himself for more than just my individual sin.

B. Jesus died for the Church, for He realized that only as I, as a Christian, walk in harmony with God’s Church, can I be “made holy and blameless” by God’s word as I should. (Ephesians 5:26-27)

C. When I fall in love with the Church, I am falling in love with the institution God has chosen to bring salvation to the world, and the vehicle God has chosen to use to prepare me to meet Him!

D. “His intent was that now, through the Church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…” (Ephesians 3:10)