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What Is The Purpose of the Church?

1/26/2012

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What is the purpose of the church
_Have you ever wondered what the point of getting together as a church is? Is it because the Bible says we're supposed to go to church? Do we gather just to hear preaching that helps us stay on the “straight and narrow” and to have a place to pay tithes? Is it to have a positive social outlet?

For many years, I used Hebrews 10:25 as the catchall reason for why we should go to church:


_Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is...

I concluded that we should go to church because the Bible says to not be like those who've stopped assembling together. Hearing preaching, singing songs, etc., are helpful and important to the soul as well. But is that really what the purpose of church is all about?

For many Christians, church has been reduced to a weekly program. It's something we do rather than something we are. We're like spectators who go to movies or watch sporting events. We go, we watch and listen, then we go home. But this perspective is so far removed from what Christ had in mind it's almost laughable.

Let's revisit that verse in Hebrews and read it in context:

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(Hebrews 10:23-25)

The rest of the chapter talks about not falling away from God but believing to the saving of the soul. But do you see the important element of participation? The purpose of assembling together is to edify, encourage and even provoke each other to love and good works. Notice that the verse isn't specific to pastors, but every believer is to share the responsibility of provoking and exhorting each other, not just a select few. Does this describe your overall church experience? Many of us would be surprised to read this instruction from Paul...

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:26)

Part of the reason why people are leaving the static traditional church setting in favor of something more interactive and biblical is because people are hungry for purpose and spiritual fulfillment. They're tired of merely sitting on pews watching others perform without any invitation to contribute week after week. Christians are waking up to the reality of participatory fellowship. They want to see the power of God and to exercise the gifts that God has given them. Teachers want to teach. Prophets want to prophesy. Exhorters want to exhort and don't we all want to see miracles, signs and wonders like the early church did in the Book of Acts?

Let's take this a bit further. What's the point of encouraging one another on to love and to good works? Is it to feel good about ourselves or is there a deeper purpose?

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

We are to be salt and light to the flavorless, dark world we live in so people will see our good works and turn to God. Sinners don't care that we “go to church.” They want to see power! They want something real - not a ritual! They want to see the church that Jesus said the gates of hell won't prevail against! Where is that church???

What are we showing people? What is our witness to the world around us? Do our co-workers and neighbors see godly men and women who live their faith, heal the sick and speak the truth in love? Or do they see people who live just like they do except for a couple of hours on Sunday? Do we bring light into the room or does the room lighten when we leave?

What is the purpose of the church? To be the body of Christ! How did Christ act when he walked in the flesh? Consider this brief summation:

...God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)   May people say that about us!

Using a football game analogy, I liken the gathering of the church to the huddle. The church rallies around the Quarterback, Jesus Christ. We encourage each other on to the next play. Then we go back out onto the playing field of the world, full of the Holy Ghost and power, to be witnesses unto Christ.
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How To Start A Home Church

1/7/2012

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_Are you wondering how to start a home church? Starting a home church could be the right direction for you, but the process might be very different than what you expect. And I don't necessarily mean that in a positive way. It can be one of the most exciting, aggravating and heartbreaking journeys of your life.

_ 2011 for us here in Chandler, Arizona, was an interesting year of meeting new people, growing, adjusting, saying goodbye, and putting things in perspective. Let me share some of the things we've learned.

Fellowship, Or Lack Thereof...
One thing that most of us crave is wholesome church fellowship. But when a person or family leaves a traditional church setting, fellowship is often the first thing to stop, unless you're part of a group from the beginning. I know there are many people who've gone months, dare I say years, without finding others to fellowship with as a church. If you're going to start a home church, be prepared to go it alone for a while. It will require Stand Alone Faith.

Having Little In Common...
When you do find others who are interested in starting a home church, you might meet people with wildly different doctrinal views, unique perspectives, and different levels of spiritual maturity. It's also a possible to meet with others and discover that the only thing in common you share with them is an interest in home church – and little to nothing else.

What denominational churches have going for them is having some basic doctrines, worship styles, songs, etc., in common. But people who meet together independently, may have nothing in common. We come from all over the map (geographically and spiritually) and soon discover how different we really are. That can be intriguing, eye-opening, unsettling and even scary. But if we're willing to stick it out, stay in God's word while being open to other perspectives, and seek to understand and much as we want to be understood, we could form new and lasting bonds with others God has sent our way. Unfortunately, it's way too easy to break fellowship at the first signs of disagreement. That will hurt.

In my novel Parting Ways I write about what happens to a young, ambitious minister who can no longer follow the denominational teachings he grew up with. The only thing he could trust and stand on was the Bible. God leads him to a whole new understanding of church. Which leads me to pose this question:

                           Did Jesus command his disciples to start churches?

Have you found that in the scriptures? I haven't yet, but here's what I do read:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46-47)

I see a repeated pattern of preaching and teaching. Let's see what happened when the word is preached in the book of Acts...

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7)

Is it possible that our focus shouldn't be on staring a home church, but rather to seek opportunities to preach and teach the word? In other words, instead of putting a "Church Meeting Tonight - All Welcome" sign in our front yards, perhaps asking a co-worker or neighbor for a no-obligation, one-on-one Bible Study would be better. Paul often encouraged Timothy to preach the word and to take it a step further...

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Paul didn't tell Timothy to build buildings, start denominations or to plant churches. He instructed him to teach faithful men to teach. One-on-one will likely grow to one-on-two, or three. Then a whole family or two or three. Over time, a group - a church -  is gathering in a house, because the word was preached.

I hope to do more preaching and teaching in this new year, and be less concerned about starting a home church. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, not if or how we start a home church. I've come to the realization that church is a natural outgrowth of preaching and teaching. When God's word is preached, churches are the result.

Check out the Free Bible Studies Page for simple Bible Studies you can download and share with anyone!

Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
Home Church, Evangelism, and Winning Souls

Stand Alone Faith
Which Bible?
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What To Do About Guilt

1/2/2012

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_If you're wondering what to do about guilt, that kind of crippling guilt that ruins what otherwise would be a great day, then please keep reading. I know there are many of us who struggle getting past feelings of guilt.

I believe guilt is an important and helpful part of lives. Guilt let's us know that we have a properly functioning conscience. If we've done something or someone wrong, we should feel guilty. That kind of guilt motivates us to make things right with whomever we've hurt or trespassed against.
Consider the words of Jesus on what to do about guilt:


_Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. (Matthew 5:23-25)

Our God is a God of resolve, not of festering wounds and lingering guilt. He expects his children to make things right with those we've offended. Then he expects those offended to forgive the offender. Much easier said than done, but that's how we're supposed to act.


However, guilt stops being helpful when it continues to haunt us even after we've done all we can do to make things right. Like when a single bad memory hits us, and we become emotionally bottomed out for the rest of the day. It's really tough to be a blessing to others when we're drowning in our own swamp of negative feelings. That kind of recurring guilt is neither helpful or productive and here's something else: It's not from God.


Take a look at John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Life more abundantly does not include crippling guilt!

Jesus Christ came to bring deliverance to us captives. It's our lifelong enemy, the devil, that will use anything and everything to steal our joy and get us down and depressed. Bringing up past mistakes and blowing them way out of proportion is one of his most successful tactics. He'll use old memories against us to make us feel like failures.
But let's never forget: God Is Bigger Than Our Past Mistakes.

Here are a few suggestions for what to do about guilt:
  • Ask yourself if you've really done all you can do to make things right. If you haven't, then you need to. This guilt is still serving a purpose. If you have, then stand on that knowledge and let it go. Brush the mud off and move on!
  • Keep things in perspective. All of us can look back on some situation and wished we would have handled things differently. But we can't change the past. We can only learn from the past and do better next time. Don't be so down on yourself for not knowing then what you know now.
  • If you've made things right, and you can see things in perspective, but still get stuck on the ol' emotional roller coaster, then maybe it's a trick of the devil. Perhaps he's found a weakness in you and is pressing those tender wounds to take you out of the game. It's tough to rejoice when you're hurting, right?  It may be time to join the resistance! Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) Remind Satan that you've obeyed the word, you've done all you can do, and he can take his guilt trip somewhere else!
We might have to walk through this a few times till our emotions catch up with our head, but being free from soul sucking guilt is a real blessing that can be ours!

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
(John 8:36)
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    Patrick Sipperly

    Patrick Sipperly

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