1. Part 2 – Purpose of the Church
Christ’s Church
Part 2 – Purpose of the Church

2. Christ’s Church – Purpose
Luke 19:1-10 records Jesus’ interaction with a tax-gatherer named Zaccheus
After approaching the tree which Zaccheus had climbed, Jesus told him to come down, saying, “for today I must stay at your house” (Luke 19:5)
Some of the crowd couldn’t believe that Jesus would eat with such a sinner
Christ’s Church – Purpose

3. Christ’s Church – Purpose
Jesus responded that salvation had come to Zaccheus’ house, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10)
Jesus came to seek and save the lost
That is why He died – see 1 Corinthians 15:3,4
Jesus was put to death, so He has left this mission to us
Christ’s Church – Purpose

4. Christ’s Church – Purpose
Jesus said in John 14:12, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father”
The works that Jesus came to do were to seek and to save the lost
Those who believe in Jesus can do even greater works than Christ did!
Christ’s Church – Purpose

5. Christ’s Church – Purpose
Jesus had only 3 ½ years for His earthly ministry
The Christian may have 50 or more
Thus He gave a commission to His apostles, which applies to all of us
Read Matthew 28:19-20
Christ’s Church – Purpose

6. Christ’s Church – Purpose
In one short set of instructions Jesus gave us the program that will work for any Christian in any culture Go
Make disciples
Immerse them into the name of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit
Continue to teach them
Christ’s Church – Purpose

7. Christ’s Church – Purpose
If every Christian will set himself to carrying out the Lord’s instructions, the church will accomplish its task of seeking and saving the lost
The final words of the Great Commission make it clear that this mission is for every disciple, not just for the apostles
“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”
Christ’s Church – Purpose

8. Christ’s Church – Purpose
Jesus obviously anticipated that His marching orders would be carried out after the death of the apostles by all the disciples of Christ
As the apostle Paul said, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
The responsibility for evangelism is right where it belongs – on us
Christ’s Church – Purpose

9. Christ’s Church – Purpose
When it comes to carrying out the work of seeking and saving the lost, the Christian finds that he needs help
God has supplied this help in church leadership – read Ephesians 4:11-16
The work of the church leadership is to equip the saints for the work of service
The purpose of equipping the saints is so that the body might be built up
Christ’s Church – Purpose

10. Christ’s Church – Purpose
There are two ways in which the body can be built up
The first kind of building is in internal strength
Just as a building can be strengthened by reinforcing walls, so the church can be internally strengthened by edifying the saints
The second way in which the body can be built up is by an increase in numbers
Without this increase, the body loses its enthusiasm and its sense of direction
Without this increase, the body dies for lack of “replacement cells”
Christ’s Church – Purpose

11. Christ’s Church – Purpose
The emphasis is on seeking and saving the lost, causing the “growth of the body”
Summary
Jesus came to seek and save the lost
Upon His physical death, He left the church to carry on His work
It is the function of the church leadership to provide the edification for the body to carry out its appointed task
Christ’s Church – Purpose

12. Part 3 – Organization of the Church
Christ’s Church
Part 3 – Organization of the Church