The Purpose of the Church

Stephen Russell

Invite Sunday • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

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Introduction

The world has many conceptions of what the church ought to be about.

In many minds it boils down to the notion that the church ought to be a wholesome civic organization that is available to help the poor and oppressed.

When churches fail to provide such services, then some wonder “what are you even here for?”

Or when churches do provide such services, folks get angry when they try to offer any element of preaching along with that.

Do we need to be more thoughtful and helpful in what we are providing for the world, or is that even our purpose?

What is the purpose of the church?

The Kingdom

The church is Israel fulfilled (Rom. 9:1; Gal. 3:28-29).

To become part of the church is to become a citizen of that kingdom (Eph. 2:19; 1 Pet. 2:9).

Local churches are embassies of that kingdom (1 Cor. 1:2).

This is something that is already here (Rev. 1:6, 9)

A kingdom has a king, a people, a law, and a territory.

Life in the Kingdom

The work of the church is focused on the church (1 Cor. 12:26-28).

We are not trying to create a kingdom, we are striving to proclaim and be the kingdom (1 Tim. 3:15).

One of the most compelling proclamations of the kingdom is the love we share (Jn. 13:34-35).

This is not the same as our general love for all (Lk. 14:26; Gen 29:31).

We care for fellow citizens in a way that is exclusive (Heb. 6:10; 1 Cor. 16:1, 15).

The kingdom that is our type offered particular blessings INSIDE the kingdom (Isa. 9:13-17).

This is meant to be a compelling vision to those outside of the kingdom (Matt. 5:14).

What About the World?

We aren’t trying to regulate the world (1 Cor. 5:9-13).

We live with honor and respect toward the kingdoms of this world (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:17).

But we are not trying to reform the kingdoms of this world (Dan. 2:44).

We aren’t trying to control or even reform these institutions.

We couldn’t if we tried.

Jesus nor his apostles even tried.

When Israel tried to be like the other nations, they only became smaller and weaker versions of them.

God’s kingdom does not reform the other kingdoms, it crushes them. Not with more powerful versions of the armies they fight with, but by victory in a battle those kingdoms cannot even engage with.

Our conduct toward the world should be full of honor, wisdom, and courtesy (Col. 4:5-6; Gal. 6:10; Tit. 3:2).

But we are not the same (Jas. 4:4; 2 Cor. 6:15-17).

Is our purpose too small (Isa. 49:6)?

Conclusion

To those who are already a part of the church, let us focus on our true citizenship and live as servants who bring glory to our king.

This world is full of sadness, frustration, and disappointment.

The church doesn’t come along and offer to make that better, it invites you to join what has already been made better.

Would you set down the unbearable weight of making this world a better place and seek first the kingdom whose king has already conquered our greatest enemy.

Many say that it would be great if we could just have a king and just ruler.

There is one, but He comes offering to be your king not demanding. He conquers by His love, not by overwhelming you with His force. He is the king who knocks, and every subject of His, are His because they desire to be so. Do you?