The All-Sufficiency Of God's Church

Lesson 10

Our goal in this lesson is to understand that the church, as God gave it, is perfectly capable of performing the functions God gave it. It is impossible to have proper respect for Christ without having proper respect for the church he established. Sometimes, people who claim to be followers of Christ fail to understand the nature and purpose of the church. Let us see that the church is adequate to accomplish God’s purposes.

I.    THE CHURCH IN EPHESIANS (PAUL’S ESSAY ON THE CHURCH)

A.  At Least Eight Pictures Of The Church Are Presented.

1.   The fullness of Christ, Ephesians 1:22-23.

2.   The new creation of God, Ephesians 2:10.

3.   The body of the reconciled, Ephesians 2:11-16.

4.   A kingdom made up of fellow citizens. Ephesians 2:19.

5.   The household of God, Ephesians 2:19.

6.   A holy temple in the Lord, Ephesians 2:19-22.

7.   A depiction of God’s wisdom, Ephesians 3:1-13.

8.   The bride of Christ, Ephesians 5:23.

B.  Each Picture Emphasizes A Different Aspect Of The Church.

1.   Viewed as a whole, these depict the church as a relationship. They emphasize our fellowship with God and with one another.

a.  All that the church is illustrates the wisdom and planning of God.

b.  Is there anything that man could add, to what God has given to the church?

c.  If the church is the fullness of Christ, is there anything man can add to improve it?

2.   Since God planned the church, it must be true that the church is sufficient to accomplish the purposes for which God planned it.

a.  To believe otherwise is to repudiate the wisdom of God, 1 Corinthians 1:21-25; Acts 15:18; Romans 11:33-36.

b.  To improve on God’s plan, one would have to be wiser than God, Jeremiah 10:23; 1 Corinthians 3:19.

II.   TO DENY THE COMPLETENESS OF THE CHURCH IS TO DENY THE COMPLETENESS OF THE BIBLE.

A.  The Bible Makes Known All Of God’s Will Concerning Man’s Redemption.

1.   Nothing is lacking in God’s revelation, 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:3.

2.   Only by means of revelation, can we know what pleases God, 1 Corinthians 2:10-13.

3.   We must conclude then, that the church revealed by the Holy Spirit in the Bible, is sufficient to accomplish God’s purposes. If it is not, then the Bible is an incomplete revelation.

B.  Divine Revelation Always Sets Forth God’s Way And Must Be Respected.

1.   Departures from God’s revelation are forbidden, Galatians 1:6-12.

2.   The thoughts of men cannot compare with those of God, 1 Corinthians 4:6.

3.   The things that are written are the words of God, 1 Corinthians 14:37.

4.   A perfect revelation cannot set forth imperfect ways, nor can it present to us an imperfect and insufficient institution.  God’s way, revealed in God’s word, is sufficient to accomplish God’s purposes.

III.  GOD’S PURPOSES FOR THE CHURCH.

A.  The Church Is God’s Organization To Carry The Gospel To The World.

1.   It is the pillar and ground of the truth, 1 Timothy 3:15.

2.   It is to sound out the word of God, 1 Thessalonians 1:8.

3.   Did the first century church establish another organization to do this work?

B.  The Teaching Of The Word Of God By The Church Is Designed To Edify The People Of God.

1.   The teaching of the gospel builds up the saints, Acts 11:22-26, 20:32.

2.   All of the acts of worship should encourage and build us up, Hebrews 10:25.

3.   The functioning of elders, deacons, teachers, and others within the church is designed to strengthen the saints, Acts 20:28,32; 2 Timothy 2:2.

4.   Was it necessary for the first century church to establish another organization to do this work?

C.  The Church Is Designed To Care For Needy Saints.

1.   The widows at Jerusalem were assisted by the church, Acts 6:1-6.

2.   Many churches often sent assistance to a church that had many needy saints, Acts 11:27-30; Romans 15:25-27; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4.

3.   Did the first century church establish another organization to do this work?

Conclusion: God’s ways are not only sufficient, God’s ways are always best, Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 16:25; Isaiah 55:8,9. When we follow God’s way it indicates that we have faith and trust in him. Any departure from God’s way indicates unbelief on our part.

How would you answer the statements listed below?

1.   “Maybe the church is sufficient, but the organization of the church is not.”

2.   ‘The church needs an earthly headquarters so all of the congregations could be more closely united.”

3.   “A missionary society makes it much more efficient for the church to do its work.”

4.   “The church is not able to take care of its benevolent responsibilities, therefore we need to establish another organization to do this work.”

5.   “We find nothing wrong with one congregation overseeing the money and work of many congregations, as long as all agree to it.”

6.   “Overseers of a local church may establish and oversee any organization they may find necessary as they do the work God gave to the church.”

7.   “We find nothing wrong with a local congregation being involved in social and recreational activities as long as the leaders of the church have oversight of them.”

8.   “The church ought not to forget the homeless in the community.  The local congregation has a mission to feed and clothe and house the needy.”

 

Page last revised January 19, 2008 by Bob Sarrett.