Sermon Tone Analysis

What is a church?

What is not a church?

What is church for?

What is church not for?

Why have church?

How do you justify having church?

What is its reason for existence?

What is its settled determination, the ultimate justification for being?

These are the kinds of questions which, when answered, lead to understanding about the purpose of church.[1]Charles

Tidwell, Church Administration: Effective Leadership for Ministry (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 1985), 59.

Meaning of the word “church”

The English word church translates the Greek word ekklesia, which means “the called-out ones,” or “assembly.”

It was used prior to the New Testament to designate the assembly of citizens of a self-governing Greek city.

Charles Tidwell says, “In this sense an ekklesia was a local assembly operating through democratic processes under the laws of the Empire.”

It was also used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, to translate the Hebrew word qahal, “referring to the nation of Israel assembled before God and under his direct theocratic rule

congregation;

assembly.”

The term also was used to refer to other assemblies.

Evil counsel

Civil Affairs

War

Millard Erickson says, “ the word church has two senses.

On the one hand, it denotes all believers in Christ at all times and places.

This is the universal sense.”

Millard Erickson says, “More frequently, church refers to a group of believers in a given geographical locality.”

Unity of the Church

4 approaches to unity

Spiritual unity

Mutual unity

Conciliar unity

Organic unity

The church is one in essence, because it is founded on one gospel, united to one Lord and indwelt by one Spirit.

Its unity is under constant threat because of the tendency to division that is inherent in fallen humanity, and needs to be continually maintained and actively expressed in fellowship.

The church is one

See also 1Co 12:12,20; Eph 4:25

The church transcends all barriers

Regardless of gender

Regardless of age

Regardless of social status

Regardless of ethnicity

See also Jn 10:16; Ac 10:28-29,47; 15:8-9; Gal 3:28; Eph 2:14-16; 3:6

The great divide threatening the first Christians was between Jew and Gentile, but the church was able to unite the two into one body in Christ.

The church’s unity reflects the unity within the Trinity Eph 4:4-6 “4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

The unity of the church is built around the persons of the Trinity: one Spirit, one Lord, one Father.

See also Jn 17:11; Ro 3:29-30; 10:12-13; Gal 3:27-28

The church’s unity is the work of the Trinity Eph 2:16-18 See also Jn 11:52; Ac 10:45-47; 1Co 12:13; Eph 2:22; 4:3

The purpose of the church’s unity

To lead others to faith

Jn 17:23 See also Jn 17:21

To lead believers to maturity

The nature of the church’s unity

Emphasis is placed on an inner unity of mind and spirit rather than external uniformity.

See also 2Co 13:11; Php 1:27; Col 2:2

Appeals for unity in the church

Eph 4:3 See also Ro 12:10; 15:5,7; 1Co 12:25; Col 3:14; 1Pe 3:8

The church’s unity is expressed in fellowship

Fellowship with God

1 Co 1:9 See also 2Co 13:14; Php 2:1; 2Pe 1:4; 1Jn 1:3,6-7

Fellowship expressed by meeting together

Ac 2:46 See also Ac 2:1,42; 5:12; 6:2; 1Co 14:26; Heb 10:25

Fellowship expressed through sharing resources Ac 2:44-45 See also Ac 4:32,34-37; 11:27-30; Ro 15:26; 1Co 16:1-2; 2Co 8:2-5,13-14; 9:13; Php 4:14-18

Fellowship through suffering Rev 1:9 See also Ro 8:17; 2Co 1:7; Php 3:10; 4:14; Heb 10:33-34; 13:3

Fellowship through shared spiritual blessings 1Co 9:23 See also Ro 11:17; Php 1:7; 2Th 2:14; 1Pe 5:1; Jude 3

Specific actions which express fellowship and unity in the church

Sharing in the Lord’s Supper

1Co 10:16-17 See also Ac 2:46; 20:7; 1Co 11:33

Baptism as an expression of unity

Eph 4:4-6 See also 1Co 12:13

Extending hospitality Ac 28:7; Ro 12:13; 16:23; 1Ti 5:10; Tit 1:8; 1Pe 4:9; 3Jn 8

Greeting one another Ac 18:27; Ro 16:3-16; 1Co 16:19-20; Col 4:10; Phm 17

Welcoming former opponents Ac 9:26-27; Gal 2:9; 2Co 2:5-8 Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).

NT images of the church

The body of Christ

See also 1 Co 12:12; 1 Co 12:27; Eph 3:6; Eph 5:23; Col 1:18; Col 1:24; Col 2:19; Col 3:15

God’s building or temple

See also 1 Co 3:10; 2 Co 6:16; Eph 2:21–22; Heb 3:6; Heb 10:21; 1 Pe 2:5

A plant or vine

See also Ro 11:17–24; 1 Co 3:6–8

Jesus Christ’s flock

See also Mt 25:33; Lk 12:32; Ac 20:28–29; 1 Pe 5:2–4

The bride of Christ

See also Eph 5:25–27; Eph 5:31–32; Re 19:7; Re 22:17

God’s household or family

See also Jn 8:35–36; Ga 6:10; Eph 3:15; 1 Ti 3:15; Heb 2:11; 1 Pe 2:17; 1 Pe 4:17

NT descriptions of the church

Emphasizing continuity with the OT church

Abraham’s offspring:

Ro 4:16; Ga 3:7; Ga 3:29

The people of God:

Ro 9:25; 2 Co 6:16; Heb 13:12; 1 Pe 2:9–10

The new Jerusalem:

Ga 4:26; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12; Re 21:2; Re 21:9–10

Ga 6:16 the Israel of God

Emphasizing God’s call and authority in the church

Sons of God

Mt 5:9; Jn 1:12; Ro 8:15–16; 2 Co 6:18; Ga 3:26; Ga 4:5–6; 1 Jn 3:10

The elect:

Mt 24:22; Ro 11:7; 2 Ti 2:10; 1 Pe 1:1

Heirs of God and God’s inheritance

Ga 3:29; Ga 4:7; Tt 3:7; Heb 1:14; Heb 6:17; 1 Pe 1:4