A Biblical Mission

Introduction:

How could one define church Biblically? “Church” is often used by people speaking of various religious organizations. “Church” means different things to different people. Biblically: “church" refers to an assembly of Christians gathered for worship; a company of Christians. Christians are a body of people who have been called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:4-10). Ours is a Biblical Mission. Today…we will talk about the biblical mission of this church.

I. Our mission is to teach God’s plan of salvation.

A.     Lk. 19:10 – churches mission needs to be – seek, save the lost!

B.     We believe that all persons must come to an understanding of the necessity of obedience to God.

1.     Heb. 5:8-9 – Christ is the author of salvation to all who obey Him.

a)     We seek to take advantage of God’s grace that has been so richly bestowed upon us!

2.     Acts 2:47 – when we obey the Lord – He adds us to His church.

3.     Scriptures show us how to be saved.

a)     Jhn. 8:24 – belief – belief = that Jesus = the Messiah!

1)   Lk. 13:3 – repentance - literally – to change one’s mind

2)   Rom 10:9-10 – confession that Jesus is the Christ.

b)     Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21 – baptism is necessary to obey the Lord!

II. Our mission is to train people to be like Jesus.

A.     Lk. 6:40 – this goes pas being a student.

1.     We want to help people conform their lives to principles of Christian living.

B.     Romans 12:1-2 – we are in the midst of a transformation process.

C.     Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:12-14 – we have put off the old man of sin.

D.    Gal. 5:22-23 – over time, the fruit of the spirit will be seen in our lives.

III. Our mission is to proclaim Christ.

A.     1 Peter 2:9-10

1.     We are to proclaim His excellencies How?

B.     Done in 2 ways.

1.     We can tell others about Him – 1 Peter 2:10

2.     We proclaim Christ by the way we live – Matthew 5:14-16.

Conclusion:

A.      The church you read about in the NT does exist today!

B.      Is denominationalism the answer?

1.     Pattern suggests that it is not.

2.     Eph. 4:4-6 – NT only knows one church w/one doctrine w/one head – Jesus

3.     1 Cor. 1:10-13; 3:1-4 – division & carnal attitudes are not part of God’s way of doing things.

C.      What are you looking for in a church?

D.     The 1st century church is in the 21st century!  YOU can be a part!

1.     1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:38