"The Sound Church"
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: I have titled the sermon this morning “the sound church.” No, not because we live near the sound, but rather, as we continue to do exist and do ministry as the church, what does it mean to be sound? Paul tells Titus in his letter to him in chapter 2, verse 1, that he is supposed to teach sound doctrine. What does “sound” mean? Essentially, it means “healthy.” And that is the really the best term I think we should strive for as the church. When everyone loves the word “success,” we should be looking to be “healthy.” Titus was to give “healthy” doctrine, doctrine that informs and nourishes and provokes the body.
CTS: The sound church ensures that it fulfills the biblical call to worship, disciple, and serve.
Today, I want us to look at these three calls of the church from Scripture and frame it within our own local congregations of covenant believers.
I. Worship (Acts 2:42-47, Col 3:16)
I. Worship (Acts 2:42-47, Col 3:16)
The first thing we see the church do in the Bible is that is regularly gathers for worship. The assumption of the NT is that believers are part of a community of believers, called out ones, of a local area to worship. It started in Jerusalem, but as Christianity spread, we know that the whole universal church can’t meet in one place as of this moment (we will one day). Therefore, local churches were planted and started. These local churches would fulfill the call to worship. Worship is not limited to singing. Acts 2:42-47 describe clearly what the early church did, and really, what all churches are called to do.
A. Devoted to the Word
A. Devoted to the Word
Simply put, they were devoted to the apostles teaching. The apostles were directly taught by Jesus, therefore, they were teaching God’s Word. We now have that in what we call the Scriptures. The Holy Bible which we hold in our hands is God’s holy, inspired, completely authoritative, and innerrant word. The first aspect of the worshiping church is that it devotes itself to the Word. It preaches, teaches, and disciples with it. Everything it does revolves around the Word. Anything less is useless and unfounded. The church isn’t built on business acumen or secular principles, but on the very Word of God.
The Word defines our worship, defining our preaching, our singing, our ministries, our evangelism, and our discipleship. Without this foundation, the church will crumble.
B. Devoted to Fellowship
B. Devoted to Fellowship
The church is also called to fellowship with one another. This isn’t just a mere shaking of hands and saying hi to one another on Sunday morning, but an investment into the life of one another. The description here in this text is that the attended worship gathering together but also went into one another’s homes. They sold and helped one another. They loved one another. They lived life together. Small ways that we encourage that fellowship within the body is through times of meals together. If you think that our Sunday morning coffee is just about having coffee, you missed the point. The point is to gather and enjoy one another’s fellowship outside of Sunday School and morning worship. Those hours are primarily taken up with prayer, teaching, preaching, and singing. If you think that five minutes before service is enough to truly fellowship with one another, then we need to rethink what fellowship is.
Fellowship is investment, support, prayer, and getting into the trenches with one another. Its community. I’ll go ahead and say it, but the people closest to one another in the world outside of your own family unit in your home should be the church. Accountability, support, prayer, enjoyment of one another’s company, and willingness to help one another in every circumstance defines the call of Jesus to love, and that all people will know who we are because of that love.
C. Devoted to the Ordinances
C. Devoted to the Ordinances
Worship is also defined by our commitment and devotion to the two ordinances of the church. Both are foundational to our discipleship. One is the beginning of our discipleship while the other is a sustaining of our discipleship.
To worship means we are making disciples and baptizing them. This means our worship is defined by our evangelism and by our discipleship of people. It is in essence the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Sharing the Gospel with our own children, our family members, our neighbors, our co-workers, our community, our town, our state, our nation, our world.
To worship also means we are sustaining our faith through the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. I know that many Baptists are trying to be careful not to become capital C Catholic, but we must view the Lord’s Supper as a continued means of grace for us. That doesn’t mean we get more saved because of the Lord’s Supper. No, this means we gather together around the table, remembering what Christ has done, accepting his continuing grace towards us, renewing ourselves in covenant with him and one another as a body. Grace is evident in the Lord’s Supper, and it is do be done regularly. What that looks like for each church different, but the early church did it every time they met! It is good to do it with regularity.
D. Devoted to Prayer
D. Devoted to Prayer
To worship is also to pray, for prayer is our humble submission and acknowledgment that only God can do what needs to be done according to His will. Prayer is putting everything into his hands, asking him to use us and transform us to be his people. God’s people were called to pray and rely on God alone, not their own ingenuity and their own power. Our power is weak and unable to carry out the plans of God. Only God’s power through us can sustain us and allow us to be faithful to His mission. Your kingdom come, your will be done.
So, church, do we pray? Do we pray individually? Do we pray corporately? A church that lacks prayer lacks the power of God upon them. If you want to see churches that are biblically faithful and doing God’s work of discipleship and reaching the world are those that are committed to the act of prayer. If someone were to say to me, “man, that church prays a lot during service” I would be estactic. That shouldn’t be a knock against us, it should be seen as a compliment. Do we pray church? Or do we rely on ourselves for everything?
E. Devoted to Praise
E. Devoted to Praise
It says that the church praised God. That praise is often seen in a number of ways. Colossians tells us this in chapter 3, verse 16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Praise is defined by the Word. Every sermon, every prayer, every song. It points to Jesus and His Gospel. So, our praises of song, music, lyrics, should be Word-centered, pointing to God and His praiseworthy works and attributes. Gospel-centered, theologically rich songs. Our praises don’t belong to us, to streets of gold, to any nation within the gathered body of believers. Our praise belongs to God alone, who has delivered us from the domain of darkness in to the kingdom of His Son. Sing about His goodness, His holiness, His mercy, His grace, His love, His power, His omniscience, His salvation, His work.
Application: I end on this that this is where we primarily see most of what goes on here happens on the regularly gathering of God’s people on Sunday mornings. That’s why when I lay forth a vision for the church, I view it in three blocks of time. These three blocks are often intertwined. You have many that are serving and discipling on Sunday morning. But overall, we are all WORSHIPING on Sunday morning together. Make it a habit. Make it a priority.
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.
II. Disciple (Titus 2:1-10)
II. Disciple (Titus 2:1-10)
The second call of the church is to disciple. Again, reiterating the command of Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We are called to be disciplemakers. This includes evangelism and reaching lost people with the Gospel. It is a call to show them what it means to follow Christ. We also are to be doing this in the life of the church, for one another. Titus was commanded to teach sound doctrine. That sound doctrine not only acknowledges knowledge of God, but also obedience as well to those doctrines. They have real world implications.
ONE COMMENTATOR SAYS:
The purpose of theological study should be to increase our knowledge of God. However, the ultimate goal of increasing our knowledge of God should be Christian lives characterized by growth in obedience to God’s revealed will.
A sound church is one that makes discipleship its top priority, for that is the mission that Jesus set his church on. He exampled this himself in his own ministry, calling 12 men and others to be followers of him.
Older men and women: The generations are called to disciple the younger. We don’t have any indication of what age one makes an older man or woman, but we are going to make the assumption that at least they are one of spiritual maturity. Most likely men and women who raised children, or those that are in the midst of raising teenagers that are about to leave the house. Spiritually mature Christians are needed in the church body, and are called specifically to the task of discipleship.
In Titus, these older men and women are to be first examples of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
The description of men is that they are to be self-controlled, have sound faith, love, and steadfast in that faith. In other words, older men are needed to have an impact in the life of young men and children, showing them what biblical manhood looks like. This doesn’t mean making sure they are big and tough, but first and foremost, that they are following Jesus. Better than teaching a young man to fish or hunt is to first show him how to follow Jesus through the Scriptures, through prayer, through the spiritual disciplines.
The description of women is likewise, that they would be examples. Reverent in their behavior, not slandering others. In Crete, where this church is, there is obviously an issue with slandering and irreverence in the church among women. Gossips and slave to much wine. Rather, they are instead to be positive examples of teaching what is good, loving and respecting their husbands and children in the home. Self-controlled, submissive, kind.
This is all that the word of God may not be reviled. We must be careful in our example, for if it is not a positive God-honoring life we lead, the young men and women around us will revile the Word for which we claim to stand on.
Younger men and women: This then implies that these younger men and women will begin living lives through watching the example of the older generation and then also being taught as well. It’s not enough to just be an example. It requires investment of time and teaching in the life of these young people. They need to be taught how to read the Bible, how to study it, how to pray, how to fast, how to hear the Word well, and see what true worship looks like in the life of individuals who love Jesus, and also the whole church. Whether you know it or not, the young people know how a church acts and operates. You may think gossip and slander go unnoticed, but these kids and teenagers are smarter than we make them out to be. They know. I’ve watched young people ask me if I’m ok just because I was having a hard Sunday. They know. And if a church is so caught up fighting over petty disagreements and dis-unified, they will know. And that will inform their view of church the rest of their lives.
Church, we must be discipling across generational lines, one another, young and old. We all have room to grow. How are we going to lay forth a path of discipleship for everyone? As you can see, we have attempted to do that. I pray it continues to grow. Are you part of a Sunday School class? Are you part of a discipleship class? (Yes I know those classes may see a little hard, but Christianity and learning how to walk after Jesus is not easy. It requires work and study in the power of the Spirit). Are we investing in the life of one another, in discipling relationships? I’ve done that the last two years here. I’m about to release the men I’ve discipled to go do the same themselves.
III. Serve (John 13:12-17, 1 Cor 12:12-20)
III. Serve (John 13:12-17, 1 Cor 12:12-20)
The third and final area is that of service. Jesus makes it very clear that the example He gives himself by washing the feet of His disciples is one that we are called to emulate. What does that scene show? That as Jesus humbled himself to serve one another, we are to do the same, no matter how dirty or how messy it gets. You are not above serving anyone else in this world or in the church.
So, the covenant of the member of each church entails that we will serve Jesus by serving in the body of Christ. No one is above their master, who is Jesus. Do you think you are too good to serve food, sit with kids, clean a bathroom, open a door for someone? Then you are not like Jesus. As the famous quote goes “No one looks more like Jesus than when they are serving.”
And whether we realize it or not, and I know I’ve made a big deal of this, especially as we walked through Ephesians…every person is called to serve in the body of Christ. Every member. Look, you aren’t done. I don’t care how old or young you are. Every person is called, if they are covenant members, to serve Jesus through His church.
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
To be a faithful member of the body of Christ means you are involved. That goes beyond warming a pew on a Sunday. It involves you using how God has gifted you to serve Him and fulfil the Great Commission.
Application: This third block is going to be a time where we dedicate ourselves to serving. We are laying a foundation of this service on Wednesday nights. You’ll see what that looks like tonight in our family meeting. All three brought forth in distinct ways. Worship, Disciple, and Serve!
The Why and the Results: Titus 2:11-14
The Why and the Results: Titus 2:11-14
Why? Because of the grace of God, the Gospel. This salvation we have received is not meant just for us and our church, but for everyone. All people. This is how we point people to Jesus, by worshiping him faithfully, discipling, and serving Him.
Results? Grace not only saves us, but trains us. Grace doesn’t end at salvation, it is only its beginning. We are called to be examples and to be example makers by making disciples who look like Jesus. Jesus loving, Scripture loving, prayer loving, and growing Christians. The results are what Jesus desires to make us: His people, redeemed from lawlessness, to purify us to be his church, zealous for good works. And that includes ALL OF US.
Until? Until the second coming of Christ, the fullness of hope and grace, the glory of Jesus as he rules and reigns. We worship, we disciple, we serve until Jesus comes again, zealous and committed until Jesus returns or he calls us home. John Stott says:
The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus b. The Epiphany of Glory (2:13–14)
in Jesus Christ there has been an epiphany of God’s grace, and there is going to be an epiphany of his glory. That is, the best way to live now, in this present age, is to learn to do spiritually what is impossible physically, namely to look in opposite directions at the same time. We need both to look back and remember the epiphany of grace (whose purpose was to redeem us from all evil and to purify for God a people of his own), and also to look forward and anticipate the epiphany of glory (whose purpose will be to perfect at his second coming the salvation he began at his first).
Conclusion: I’d like to conclude with this. This is something that I’ve put together for all new members of the church. I think that this is something that not only new members should be expected to do, but everyone one of us. This is what we call a church covenant. It would be good to remind ourselves of this every year and covenant together these things:
Expectations as Members (Church Covenant)
a. I will worship the one true God with other Macedonia Baptist church members for as long as I am physically able (Hebrews 10:24-25; Romans 12:1). The goal of my regular weekly worship is to give God glory (Romans 11:36; Hebrews 13:15).
b. I will grow spiritually through regular involvement in groups and classes at Macedonia Baptist Church in addition to regular personal devotional times. I understand the purpose of these groups and classes is building community with other believers and holding each other accountable (Acts 2:44-47; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
c. I will serve Christ through the mission work of Macedonia Baptist Church. I am created to serve others through good works (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10). I am commanded by God to make disciples of every nation, tribe, people and language through the local church (Matthew 28:16-20; Revelation 7:9). I will support the church’s mission to go to the ends of the earth to share the gospel (Acts 1:8).
d. I will give to God abundantly and joyfully, recognizing God as the owner of all things (Proverbs 3:9; Psalm 24:1). Giving my tithe and time to God brings me closer to Him (Malachi 3:10; Matthew 6:19-24).
e. I will seek unity with other church members. I recognize God’s design for the church is unity in diversity, and I will put the interests of others above my personal preferences (Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Peter 3:8-9). I will guard the reputation of the church and submit to discipline for any sin problems in my life (Matthew 18:15-20).
f. I will pray for and follow the leadership of Macedonia Baptist Church (Hebrews 13:17-18). I will pray privately and with the church corporately. I will pray for people to accept Christ, and I will pray for more disciples to grow.
g. I will sacrifice by serving first, following the servant model of Jesus Christ (Mark 10:45). I will make my attitude that of Christ and through humility make the gospel my priority (Philippians 2:5-11).