I Will Build My Church
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I. THE LORD IS BUILDING HIS CHURCH
1. Jesus made His promise in Mt 16:18
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
a. Certainly this promise pertains to the “establishment” of the church
b. But I believe we have good reason to say that Jesus is still building His church
2. As the “head” of the body, the church (Ep 1:22,23 ), we should not be surprised to see that
22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
He is very much involved in the “expansion” of the church!
3. In fact, in nearly every example of conversion recorded in the book of Acts, the Lord worked in some way to create the opportunity for the person to hear the gospel...
EXAMPLES OF THE LORD’S INVOLVEMENT...
1. The Lord waited until thousands were gathered in Jerusalem to pour out the Spirit and let Peter preach the first gospel sermon - Ac 2
2. Philip was sent toward Gaza where he would meet the Ethiopian eunuch - Ac 8:26-28
3. The Lord saw to it that Saul and Ananias would get together - Ac 9:10-18
4. Likewise, it was the Lord who saw to it that Cornelius would have an opportunity to hear the gospel from Peter - Ac 10
5. The evangelization of Europe (beginning with the conversion of Lydia and the Philippian jailor) occurred after the “Macedonian Call” led Paul and his companions in that direction - Ac 16
1 Co 3:9-11
9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
2. The purpose of these “gifts” (offices, if you will) is defined by Paul in Eph 4:12...
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
a. “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry”
b. “for the edifying of the body of Christ”
3. “Equipping The Saints For Ministry”, then, is an important function of those who serve as
evangelists, pastors, and teachers...
a. Indeed, it is a major reason why we assemble together - cf. He 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
b. Titus, a young preacher, was instructed by Paul time and again to work toward this end:
1) “Remind them...to be ready for every good work” - Ti 3:1
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
2) “...these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in
God should be careful to maintain good works.” - Ti 3:8
8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
3) “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that
they may not be unfruitful.” - Ti 3:14
14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
4. As a minister of the gospel of Christ...
a. I certainly have a responsibility in the area of evangelism - cf. 2 Ti 4:5
5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
b. But if I am to “fulfill my ministry”, I must think in terms beyond my own personal work as an
evangelist
c. I must also give thought to how I can contribute toward “equipping the saints for ministry”
Today I hope to Point out the “necessity” for a church to focus on “equipping the saints for ministry” I want to emphasize the “need” for a congregation to be concerned about equipping its members for service. For unless we appreciate the necessity, we are not likely to possess the motivation required to carry through with the challenge we face.
C. THE WONDERFUL PROVIDENCE OF GOD...
1. Granted, the above examples are in keeping with the miraculous events surrounding the establishment of the Lord’s church
2. However, I propose that they illustrate a principle that is just as valid for us today...
a. The Lord knows the hearts of all men, and still seeks those who are seeking Him - cf. 2 Chr 16:9
9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”
b. He will make sure that those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” will somehow be “filled” - cf. Mt 5:6
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
3. This is where the providence of God comes in...
a. If someone, somewhere, is seeking to do God’s will (as was the eunuch, Cornelius, and Lydia)...
b. ...the Lord will give the one seeking truth an opportunity to come across one prepared
to do the teaching
4. Thus Paul viewed those who taught others as “God’s fellow-workers” - 1 Co 3:5-9
5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
a. They are simply servants through whom the Lord gave opportunity
b. It is God who is giving the increase
[So the Lord is very much involved in the “expansion” of His church, and can do much through His providential workings in the affairs of men. Of course, how useful “we” can be to the Lord in His providence is dependent upon our willingness to prepare and be available for service...]
II. THE LORD “OPENS DOORS” FOR THOSE PREPARED TO SERVE
A. THE SCRIPTURES OFTEN SPEAK OF “AN OPEN DOOR”...
1. Some doors the Lord opened...
a. An “open door” for Paul at Ephesus - 1 Co 16:9
9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
b. Another “open door” at Troas (though not fully utilized by Paul) - 2 Co 2:12-13
12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.
2. But doors are opened only when people are prepared to be used by the Lord - Re 3:8
8 “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
B. IF WE DESIRE TO HAVE DOORS OPENED, WE MUST PREPARE
OURSELVES...
1. To be useful to the Master, we must be prepared for every good work - cf. 2 Ti 2:20-22
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2. This applies to congregations as well as individuals...
a. Individuals must prepare themselves to be able to teach, or to lead souls to those ready to teach
b. Congregations must be ready to assimilate new converts into the family of God where they can be nurtured during a vital stage of their new life in Christ
3. What if we as individuals and as a congregation are not prepared?
a. Can we really expect the Lord to use us in His providence?
1) Who can He use to teach?
2) Who can He use to encourage?
3) Who can He use to serve?
b. Can we really expect Him to “open a door” for a congregation if it is made up of uncaring, and therefore unprepared, Christians?
CONCLUSION
1. So there is “The Providential Necessity” for us to be concerned about “Equipping The Saints For Ministry”...
a. If we wish to be a “light” for the Lord in our community, we must develop our ability to “shine”
b. If we wish to be “salt” that He can use, we must develop our “flavor”
Dear brother or sister, are you doing what you can to make yourself “useful to the Master”?