Sermon Tone Analysis

Marks of the Church

Last week we talked about the Great Commission being our purpose.

But, we are not called to fulfill the Great Commission by ourselves.

God in His infinite wisdom has called out the CHURCH.

Last week we talked about the Great Commission being our purpose.

But, we are not called to fulfill the Great Commission by ourselves.

God in His infinite wisdom has called out the CHURCH.

Before we can identify the “Marks of the Church”, let us look at what a biblically faithful community of believers look like, what they are to do and why the Church is so important to Christ.

Uses of the term Church:

Local Church

- ekklesia, a specific gathering of believers in some locality.

The Greek term represents God’s people distinguished from others, “ek” out and “kletos” called”; congregation, assembly,

House Church

- - many local churches met in houses.

Collection of Churches

—-3- churches of a region

Universal Church

- the whole body of Christ.

Definition of Church

In the early 1500’s, the church was defined, characterized by two basic thoughts:

Place where the Word of God is preached

Where sacraments are correctly taught and administered

This was helpful, but not enough—totally inward focus.

There are many definitions or descriptions of CHURCH:

(Baptist Faith and Message)

-“New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes.

In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord.

Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons.

While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.

The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believes from every tribe, and tongue, and people and nation.

A local church is an indispensable gathering of professing believers in Christ who, under leadership , are organized to pursue its mission through its functions to accomplish its purpose.

(Malphurs, A New Kind of Church)

(Malphurs, A New Kind of Church)

Church Covenant

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus

Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of, and use of, intoxicating drinks as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

Indispensable— we are God’s only divinely sanctioned institution to reach the world for Christ.

Membership is important!

At the time of salvation, believers are first “called unto he fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord”

Membership is important!

At the time of salvation, believers are first “called unto he fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (, )

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This fellowship or participation with Christ constitutes the believer a member of the universal church in the sense of the spiritual reality of the unity of the Spirit in the Body of Christ.

This fellowship or participation with Christ constitutes the believer a member of the universal church in the sense of the spiritual reality of the unity of the Spirit in the Body of Christ.

Church fellowship is one way God has ordained for the believer both to give himself to the Lord and to fellow believers.

and to get from them that which is necessary for Spiritual edification.

The gifts of the Spirit given to each member for the good of all are best expressed when met together.

Marks of the Church

Believers Only Membership

The membership is made up of ONLY those who confess Christ as Savior and Lord and whose life gives evidence of the conversion.

We are a community of confessing sinners who covenant together under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

The membership is made up of ONLY those who confess Christ as Savior and Lord and whose life gives evidence of the conversion.

We are a community of confessing sinners who covenant together under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Membership in a New Testament Church is a privilege, not a right!

There are requirements and expectations.

Believers Only Baptism

New Testament baptism involves a believer being immersed, publicly identifying with Christ and the Church.

New Testament baptism involves a believer being immersed, publicly identifying with Christ and the Church.

Biblical Accountability

- as believers, we are not free to roam and live as we like.

We are to be held accountable.

Another word we use is “discipline”.

Historically, Christians have viewed church discipline as an essential mark of the Church.

Bible Based Ministry

Preaching must be biblical in content, expositional and theological, practical and applicable.

Biblical Leadership

- The Bible is clear that the church will have pastors, elders and deacons, who are appointed by the congregation.

The focus is never on the specifics of the number, but the focus is on the qualification.

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Instead of searching for leaders with secular qualifications, we are to search for people of character, reputation, ability to handle the Word of God and display the Fruit of the Spirit in their lives.

Instead of searching for leaders with secular qualifications, we are to search for people of character, reputation, ability to handle the Word of God and display the Fruit of the Spirit in their lives.

Faithful Mission and Ministry

We should fulfill the Great Commission by doing missions, evangelizing the lost and making disciples.

Healthy Biblical Theology

Theology allows us to glorify God with our mind and obey the commandments.

Healthy churches produce and foster a positive theological agenda.

Healthy churches teach biblical doctrine and proclaim biblical doctrine.

Healthy churches produce and foster a positive theological agenda.

Healthy churches teach biblical doctrine and proclaim biblical doctrine.

Marks of the Church Member

(Thom Rainer- I Am A Church Member)

I want to get out of the Cheap Seats and go with the Church—therefore:

I Will Be a Functioning Member

As a member, we are all necessary for the whole.

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We are different but we still work together

We are different but we still work together

Everything we say and do is based on a Biblical Foundation of Love-1Cor13

To be a member of a club, you pay your dues, and people serve you.

To be a biblical member of the Church, give abundantly and serve others.

Biblical members are Functioning members!

I Will Be a Unifying Member

Once a Christian, you are part of the Church, but when you commit to be a part of the local church, God expects you to be a “unifying presence”.

Once a Christian, you are part of the Church, but when you commit to be a part of the local church, God expects you to be a “unifying presence”.

Once a Christian, you are part of the Church, but when you commit to be a part of the local church, God expects you to be a “unifying presence”.

Unity is important—READ

As a church member, you are to be a source of unity, never a divisive force.

You are to love your fellow members unconditionally.