SF010 - LET THE CHURCH BE THE CHURCH (Matthew 16 13-20
Matthew 16:13-20
Introduction
One year ago this week this body of believers gathered to establish a New Testament Church.
In the earliest days of this fellowship we determined to seek to build this church upon the foundation that Christ has set in His Word.
The foundation that is based on God’s Word and His gospel. I could not agree with Charles Spurgeon more when he states:
“Some preachers evidently do not believe that the Lord is with their gospel, because, in order to attract and save sinners, their gospel is insufficient, and they have to add to it inventions of men. Plain gospel preaching must be supplemented, — so they think. If the gospel must be a failure unless we attract the people by some extraneous method, it is a poor business. If your gospel cannot bring the people to hear you, and if, when they come, your gospel will not impress and convert them, well, then, give it up. If you are not conscious of a supernatural power and presence with the Word of the Lord, let it alone.”[1]
In the text before us Jesus emphatically says that He will build His church. As with all of God’s blessing He has given us certain means, avenues that He has ordained through which we receive and experience His blessings.
Dr. Mark Dever in his book The Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, sets forth these means God has ordained to grow and prosper His church. Based on Dever’s list I have developed today’s message.
1A. A New Testament Church Will Preach The Word (2 Timothy 3:14-4:4)
The centerpiece of the church must be the preaching of the Word of God, because of:
1B. The nature of God’s Word (3:15a)
Ø Paul calls the Scriptures the “sacred writings” (3:15) - “ta hera. grammata”
Ø Paul calls the Scriptures “inspired” (3:16)
2B. The necessity of God’s Word (3:15b, 17) - “Profitable” (ophelimos) useful
Ø The Word of God is necessary because it is the means of the new birth (3:15b)
Ø The Word of God is necessary because it teaches us about God and how to live.
Ø The Word of God is necessary because it exposes our sin.
Ø The Word of God is necessary because it sets us straight.
Ø The Word of God is necessary because it trains us in righteousness.
3B. The neglect of God’s Word (4:1-4)
Ø The seriousness of the preacher’s commission (4:1)
Ø The subject of the preacher’s commission (4:2a)
Ø The scope of the preacher’s commission (4:2b)
Ø There is no “off season” for preaching.
Ø The urgency of the preacher’s commission (4:3-4)
2A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Theology
Eleven facts about the God of the Bible…
1B. The God of the Bible is an all-knowing God – Omniscient (Psalm 139:4)
2B. The God of the Bible is an ever-present God – Omnipresent (Psalm 139:8)
3B. The God of the Bible is an all –powerful God – Omnipotent (Job 42:2)
4B. The God of the Bible is a never changing God – Immutable (Hebrews 13:8)
5B. The God of the Bible is a self–existent God – Eternal (Psalm 90:2)
6B. The God of the Bible is a limitless God – Infinite (Job 11:7-8)
7B. The God of the Bible is a creating God (Hebrews 12:1-3)
8B. The God of the Bible is a holy God (Psalm 5:4)
9A. The God of the Bible is a loving God (1 John 4:8)
10B. The God of the Bible is a just God (Job 34:12)
11B. The God of the Bible is a sovereign God (Psalm 135:5-6)
3A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Understanding Of The Gospel
1B. The gospel tells us that salvation is the result of God’s grace.
Ø Heaven is a free gift. (Romans 6:23)
Ø Heaven is not earned or deserved. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
2B. The gospel is honest about man’s condition.
Ø Man is a sinner. (Romans 3:23)
Ø Man cannot save himself. (Matthew 5:48)
3B. The gospel recognizes God’s uniqueness.
Ø God is merciful (1 John 4:8b)
Ø God is just (Exodus 34:7)
4B. The gospel presents Christ as God’s only answer to man’s sin.
Ø Who He is—Christ is the infinite God-Man. (John 1:1, 14)
Ø What He did—Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and to purchase a place in heaven for us. (Isaiah 53:6)
5B. The gospel teaches us that saving faith is the key to heaven.
Ø Saving faith is not mere intellectual assent. (James 2:19)
Ø Saving faith is not mere temporal faith.
Ø Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life (Acts 16:31)
4A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Understanding of Conversion (John 3:1-8)
1B. Why is the new birth needed?
Because of the nature of man (3:1-3)
Ø Nicodemus was a good man by man’s standards (3:1)
Ø Nicodemus was a sincere man (3:2)
Ø Nicodemus was a lost man (3:3)
Because of the nature of the new birth (3:3)
Ø From cover to cover the Bible declares that human beings must change.
Ø If we do not change, we will not be saved: no peace with God, no hope for eternal life, but only wrath and fury (Romans 2:8).
2B. What is the new birth?
Ø The new birth is spiritual, not physical (3:4-6)
Ø The new birth is supernatural not natural (3:7-13)
Ø The new birth is the result of God, by the Holy Spirit and through His Word, calling men to Himself and unto saving faith. (Romans 10:8-17)
5A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism (Acts 1:8)
1B. Who should evangelize? – “But you…”
Ø The people are the evangelists in the Bible.
2B. How should we evangelize? – “You shall be my witnesses…”
Ø We must tell people that if they repent and believe they will be saved—but it will be costly.
Ø We must tell people with urgency that if they repent and believe they will be saved.
Ø Use the Bible as your primary source of the gospel. (Isaiah 55:11)
Ø We must live in such a way as to validate our witness. (Matthew 5:16)
Ø We must pray, because salvation is the work of God.
3B. What is evangelism? – “You shall be my witnesses”
Ø Evangelism is sharing the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.
4B. Why should we evangelize? – “to the remotest part of the earth.”
Ø We evangelize in order to be obedient to the Great Commission (1 Corinthians 9:16-17)
Ø We evangelize because we love the lost. (John 3:15; Matthew 9:36; Romans 10:1)
Ø We evangelize because we desire to see God glorified.
6A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Understanding Of Church Membership
1B. What is a Church?
Ø A church is a fellowship. (Acts 2:42)
Ø A church is a family. (1 Peter 3:8)
Ø A church is a body. (1 Corinthians 12:27; Colossians 1:18)
Ø A church is a flock. (John 10:14; 21:16))
2B. Why should you join a church?
Ø A Biblical reason: Christ is committed to the church (Ephesians 5:25)
Ø A cultural reason: It is an antidote to our society
Ø A practical reason: It defines who can be counted on (Ephesians 2:19)
Ø A personal reason: It demonstrates our faith and produces spiritual growth (John 14:21)
Ø A theological reason: It glorifies God (1 Peter 2:12)
7A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Understanding of Church Discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1-13)
1B. The need for discipline (5:1-2a)
Ø The nature of the sin (5:1)
Ø The neglect of the church (5:2a)
2B. The method of discipline (5:2b-5)
Ø Church discipline is to be practiced with care (5:2b-3; Matthew 18:15-17)
Ø Church discipline is an expression of love. (5:4)
Ø Church discipline is designed to redeem. (5:5)
3B. The purpose of discipline (5:6-13)
Ø Church discipline is for the repentance, reconciliation, and spiritual growth of the individual disciplined. (Galatians 6:1-2)
Ø Church discipline is for the instruction in righteousness and good of other Christians. (5:11, 13; 1 Timothy 5:20)
Ø Church discipline is for the purity of the church as a whole. (5:6; Ephesians 5:27)
Ø Church discipline is for the good of our corporate witness to non-Christians. (9-10, 12)
Ø Church discipline is supremely for the glory of God by reflecting His holy character. (1 Peter 1:15-16)
8A. A Church With A Biblical Understanding Of Church Leadership (1 Peter 5:1-3)
1B.. Jesus Christ is the head of His Church.
Ø The church is a theocracy, not a democracy. (Colossians 1:18)
2B. The congregation - the role of the members.
Ø All the members of Christ’s body are priests and ministers. (1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 4:12)
Ø Under Christ, the local congregation is the final authority in the church.
3B. Deacons – The servant–ministers of the church
Ø Deacons are to promote peace (Acts 6:1).
Ø Deacons are to provide physical ministry (Acts 6:2-3).
Ø Deacons are to promote church growth (Acts 6:7).
Ø Deacons are to assist the elders (Acts 6:3).
4B. Elders – The servant-leaders of the church
Ø The Scripture clearly teaches the plurality of elders. (Acts 14:23, 15:2, 20:17; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1)
Ø Elders are to feed the church - teach/preach/pray (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 5:17; Acts 6:2; James 5:14)
Ø Elders are to lead the church – govern (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:17)
Ø Elders are to protect the church – guard (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2)
9A. A New Testament Church Has A Concern For Discipleship And Growth
Two kinds of growth in are mentioned in the Bible, numerical growth, and spiritual growth.
1B. Numerical growth
Ø From the beginning, numerical growth was commanded by God. (Genesis 1:22)
Ø Numerical growth among God's people is a sign of God's blessing. (Jeremiah 29:6; Psalm 92:12-13)
Ø Numerical growth of the kingdom of heaven is expected. (Isaiah 9:7)
Ø Numerical growth in the church is normal. (Acts 6:7; 12:24; 13:49; 19:20)
2B. Spiritual growth
Ø Every Christian is to grow spiritually. (Ephesians 4:15-16)
Ø Spiritual growth is a result of God’s work in our lives. (Colossians 2:19; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
Ø Spiritual growth requires our participation. (2 Peter 3:18; 1:5-8; 1 Peter 2:1-5)
Application
1A. A New Testament Church Will Preach The Word (2 Timothy 3:14-4:4)
1B. The nature of God’s Word (3:15a)
2B. The necessity of God’s Word (3:15b, 17) - “Profitable” (ophelimos) useful
3B. The _______________ of God’s Word (4:1-4)
2A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Theology
1B. God is an all-_____________ God (Psalm 139:4)
2B. God is an ever-___________ God (Psalm 139:8)
3B. God is an all –____________ God (Job 42:2)
4B. God is a never ____________ God (Hebrews 13:8)
5B. God is a self–_____________ God (Psalm 90:2)
6B. God is a _________________ God (Job 11:7-8)
7B. God is a creating God (Hebrews 12:1-3)
8B. God is a __________ God (Psalm 5:4)
9A. God is a __________ God (1 John 4:8)
10B. God is a __________ God (Job 34:12)
11B. God is a sovereign God (Psalm 135:5-6)
3A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Understanding Of The Gospel
1B. The gospel tells us that salvation is the result of God’s _____.
2B. The gospel is honest about man’s _______________.
3B. The gospel recognizes God’s ___________________.
4B. The gospel presents Christ as God’s ____________ answer to man’s sin.
5B. The gospel teaches us that saving faith is the key to heaven.
4A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Understanding of Conversion (John 3:1-8)
1B. _________________ is the new birth needed?
2B. _________________ is the new birth?
5A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism (Acts 1:8)
1B. ________________ should evangelize?
2B. ________________ should we evangelize?
3B. _________________ is evangelism?
4B. _________________ should we evangelize?
6A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Understanding Of Church Membership
1B. __________________ is a Church?
2B. ________________ should you join a church?
7A. A New Testament Church Has A Biblical Understanding of Church Discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1-13)
1B. The ________________ for discipline (5:1-2a)
2B. The _________________ of discipline (5:2b-5)
3B. The _________________ of discipline (5:6-13)
8A. A Church With A Biblical Understanding Of Church Leadership (1 Peter 5:1-3)
1B.. Jesus Christ is the _________ of His Church.
2B. The ____________ - the role of the members.
3B. _____________ – The servant–ministers of the church
4B. ______________ – The servant-leaders of the church
9A. A New Testament Church Has A Concern For Discipleship And Growth
1B. _______________________ growth
2B. ________________________ growth
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[1] C.H. Spurgeon, The Charles H. Spurgeon Library Volume One, An All Around Ministry: Addresses to Ministers and Students. (Ages Digital Library) 250.