THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH 5/31/09
1) DON'T CHANGE THE PLAN!
A. The church was NOT brought into existence by human will, wisdom or authority.
B. It's part of a divine plan with a divine arrangement and a divine purpose. The church is simply a part of
God's eternal plan. Eph 3: 8 - 11 Eternal in nature.
C. Just as an architect draws a pattern/design to a project, so God is the architect of the church.
1. The wisdom of an architect is seen in the quality and function of the finished product, likewise the
wisdom of Jehovah is seen in the church.
2. The divine planning and will of the Father must not be overlooked. Examples..
a. Moses and the tabernacle - there was a pattern to be followed Exodus 25: 9 - 40
b. Noah was given a pattern for the ark - and was saved Gen 7:1-5, 1 Pet 3:20, Heb 11:7
c. God gave a pattern for bearing the ark - Ex 25:14
1. David made a mistake and corrected it - 1 Chron 15: 11-15, Uzzah lost his 2 Sam 6:3
d. Israel departed from the pattern - Acts 7: 37-44
e. The application is for the church - Heb 8: 1-5, 1 Corinthians 3: 9-17
f. Some say that the bible tells us what to do and not how to do it. That is FALSE.
D. Built by Christ in harmony with God's purpose and plan Mt 16: 18 " I will build my church"
Built according to the pattern - Heb 8: 1-5
E. Who rules? Christ - All authority belongs to Him in this age Mt 28: 18-20, He Is the head - Eph 1: 18-23
2) THERE IS A PLAN THAT ACCOMPLISHES GOD'S PURPOSE - Eph 4;11
A. Apostles and Prophets - Theirs was the work of divine revelation-making known the will of God.
B. Evangelists - they propogated the gospel
C. Pastors and Teachers - they worked within the congregation. the pastors, bishops and elders are
all the same - pastors here "poimenas" - feed or shepherd Acts 20:28. Divine wisdom has given this
arrangement through which the church is to accomplish its divine mission.
D. In the early church there were those who were charged with the performance of these tasks by being
given "gifts" to make it possible for them to function according to divne will until the completion of
revelation. Eph 4: 8-13
3) THERE IS A DIVINE PROGRAM OF WORK/ACTIVITY IN THE CHURCH - Eph 4:12
A. "For the perfecting of the Saints" - "katartismon" - explain (proper parts in order for proper function)
B. "For the work of the ministry" - "diakinoia" to serve. Also in 2 Corinthians 9:1, 11:18. Deacon.
Any service rendered in behalf of anyone needing help both in a physical or spiritual sense.
C. "Unto the building up of the body" - "oikodomeo" - (verb) Mt 16:18 Paul uses it in the sense of plant.
Establish in a new area, increase the borders by the preaching of the gospel. A primary work of the
church is evangelizing the world with the gospel.
4) WHAT IS NOT THE DIVINE PROGRAM OF WORK/ACTIVITY IN THE CHURCH
A. Not social - Christianity is not a "social religion". The church is not a "social institution" It did NOT
undertake social reform or social equality. Christianity made a better person at every level of life.
Where is the center of social activity? The home...1 Cor 11: 20-22 Good comes from Christians
associating and eating together, but it's through individual Christian activity and not church activity.
B. Not the business to serve as a guide in recreational activity.
C. The business of the church is not business. Money making is not the function of the church. There's
a divine pattern for raising the funds necessary. I Cor 16: 1-2
D. Not a court or school of domestic relations - quote "Whatever the Bible teaches should be taught
whenever and wherever it is needed by any christian and by the church. But parent education,
psychology, pedagogy, sociology and such related subjects that are not taught in the Word of God
are not the task of the church."
E. Secular education
F. Political issues