And one day we will, along with Christ, even judge angels at the second coming (1 Cor 6:3). Humbling himself and becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross—was the ultimate descent of Christ. There he bore hell itself, enduring God’s wrath for our sins. Psalm 68:18 says that God “received” gifts from men instead of giving them—this may refer to Egypt giving gifts to Israel as they left for the wilderness. In Philippians 3:8-11, he said: What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. We can try to do it all in our own strength, but only God can build a church through His Son, Jesus. So how do you find your gifts? Jesus said, “I will build My church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (Matthew 16:18). And He is building His church. 2. John Stott shares a helpful story about a congregation he visited in the US. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. To this Jesus says in verse 17-18, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Abraham’s Bosom), where the righteous dwelled, and across from it was a place of torment. We should not feel insecure, fearful, or incompetent as we minister, for Christ gives us his very own power and authority to build his church. God’s plan is not just to build the church through the ministry of gifted leaders, but also through the ministry of every member. Believers have been raised with Christ, and his authority goes with them as they minister. How does it grow? …upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. However, it is possible for a person to be gifted in teaching but not in pastoring. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. In fact, communication took place between the two places, as seen by the rich man communicating with Abraham about Lazarus in Christ’s story in Luke 16:19-31. Even in spite of our sins and our shortcomings God allows us to be part of His church. The Bible Teacher’s Guide, Ephesians: Understanding God’s Purpose for the Church, Conquering kings (or generals) commonly brought back captured enemies as slaves, which might picture Christ making a public spectacle of Satan and his demons. 11 Stott, J. R. W. (1979). How the Church Is Built. God builds his church through the service of gifted members. In 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, he added. Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (pp. Opportunity to partner with us? He’s building His church and no one will stop Him! He himself is the foundation, the corner stone (1 Pet 2:7), and we are the building blocks that He uses. God builds his church through the ministry of gifted members. Change ). 158–159). (Ephesians 4:12-13). Thank you, Lord, for your victory! As mentioned, Paul says the body grows “as each part does its work” (Eph 4:16). God’s new society: the message of Ephesians (p. 168). 22 After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. All rights reserved. First, the church belongs to Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul talks about the gifts of singleness and marriage. 16 Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. If there is no love, people are pushed away. Jesus had just arrived with the disciples at Caesarea Philippi, about 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee. Interpretation Question: What is Paul referring to when he says Christ descended to “the lower, earthly regions”? Ephesians 5:25-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. They say that Paul is simply referring to Christ’s ultimate humiliation on the cross, as taught in Philippians 2:6-11: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. We must work to heal any division that tries to destroy the body or keep it from growing. Next came the following line: ‘Ministers: the entire congregation’. Our condemning and hurtful comments directed at the church are addressed to the bride of our Savior. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. God empowers us with grace—unmerited favor—to build his church. On the Day of Pentecost, a great multitude were saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. Since Christ’s ascension, he rules the universe as king, far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion. This happens through the saving of lost people. The church is founded upon the great Spiritual truth Peter confessed in those passages of Scripture that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Application Question: How should believers apply the reality of Christ’s authority over the universe and his ultimate rule? Here are some verses that speak of the Lord building His church be sending forth His Body, His disciples to speak His word to hearts He has prepared to hear. 16:18). Next, Paul describes the gifts that the ascended Christ distributes. Interpretation Question: How do these leaders help the church grow? “As long as you love Jesus,” many in our culture say, “You’re good!” Really? However, it is clear that the authors do not mean these lists to be exhaustive. 3. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. God’s new society: the message of Ephesians (pp. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? Bible verses related to Church Building from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance - Sort By Book Order 1 Peter 2:5 - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. There are, of course, no modern day prophets in this sense of the word. Introduction It is little wonder that the church was a mystery to the Old Testament saints.8 Who could ever imagine that God could dwell among His people as Jesus promised and as Paul describes? As we get our family dressed, fight through traffic and get a good seat, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that we aren’t just going to church; we are the church. Colossians 2:15 says, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”. He is faithfully gathering the living stones together and is assembling them into a beautiful structure of gold, silver, and precious stones (I Peter 2:4-9; I Corinthians 3:9-17). Peter (Petros, masc.) Godly leaders help the church come to a unity of faith by opposing wrong doctrine. ... And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, ... to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. The fact that Paul calls these leaders “gifts” reminds us to not overly exalt them. Therefore, I believe it is good to both desire and pray for spiritual gifts. Some were saying, “I am of Paul,” and others, “I am of Apollos.” Paul responded, “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? The church is not a stagnant organization just trying to survive in this crazy world that is so often set in opposition to it. We will learn, not from human tradition or opinion but directly from God's Word, how we can distinguish "the church of the living God" (1 Timothy 3:15) from They had to have seen the risen Christ so they could bear witness of him (Acts 1:22). Why are spiritual infants so prone to strongholds and false teaching? However, there are prophets in a secondary sense. In these pages we examine the fruits Jesus and His apostles said would identify His Church. Christ is building his church, and we need to find out how he is building it so we can partner with him. The first view is that Jesus was declaring that Peter would be the “rock” on which He would build His church. Bible verses about Church Is Not A Building. 6 Stott, J. R. W. (1979). Even in spite of our sins and our shortcomings God allows us to be part of His church. He chose twelve men to be His Apostles, including Peter, James, and John. But his declaration about Messiah’s person led to a declaration of Messiah’s program. A crowd has been listening to Jesus teach on a remote hillside, and the nearest Chick-Fil-A is still 2,000 years away. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. How can we apply this truth in our daily lives and ministries? 1. Jesus in Matthew 16, “I will build my church.” Jesus in Matthew 28, “Go and make disciples.” Both are true. The establishment of clergy and laymen has greatly hurt the church. ( Log Out /  Along with the prophets, they built the foundation of the church (Eph 2:20) by writing the New Testament and teaching its doctrines. So then, no more boasting about men! That is how much God loves us. The fact that Paul calls these leaders “gifts” reminds us to be thankful for them. But there’s one thing that Jesus is doing today that we don't think enough about. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Ps 127:1). Galatians 6:6 says, “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.” Of course we should make sure that their financial needs are met, for Jesus says, “A worker is worthy of his wages” (Matt 10:10, cf. Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. “‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6). We all agree we want to be part of the Church the Lord Jesus Christ is building. Because of this change in Greek words, many conservative scholars believe that Jesus is now building His church on Himself. Ephesians 4:13 says, “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Romans 8:29 says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” God saved the church to conform it to the likeness of his Son, and he predestined believers for this purpose, even before time. All emphases in Scripture quotations and commentators’ quotations have been added. Chicago: Moody Press. He established His Church, taught His gospel, and performed many miracles. Gifted leaders help the church to become more like Christ. Christ says, “On this rock, I will build my church.” God is building his church today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. As Warren Wiersbe wrote: “Each time someone comes to faith in Christ, another stone is quarried from the pit of sin and cemented by grace into the building.” Wow! It is exciting to see Jesus Christ building His church in this way and to have the privilege of playing some part in the building process. They typically feel very comfortable around unbelievers, and are often gifted at answering questions that are hindering these people from coming to the Lord. But if we build according to Christ’s principles, we get what God can build—a church that the gates of hades will not prevail against. 1 Tim 4:14, 2 Tim 1:6). Q. As Warren Wiersbe wrote: “Each time someone comes to faith in Christ, another stone is quarried from the pit of sin and cemented by grace into the building.” Wow! 7 Stott, J. R. W. (1979). This is a faith lived … When a person uses this gift, it only builds him up unless it is interpreted. God uses the evangelist to bring people to Christ, and he uses the church to disciple these new believers. Leave the man-made Religious System that is now called the church and quit saying that it doesn’t work. When Christ ascended to heaven—conquering death, sin, and Satan in his resurrection—he distributed gifts of grace to his people. I Will Build My Church —Christ the Founder of the church. Jesus' prophecy that the church will be His witness "to the ends of the earth" will come true (Acts 1:8). to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Soon after he died and arose from the dead, he did exactly that —He built his church, and he has been building it ever since. And he won’t stop until it’s time for him to return again to establish permanent, forever peace on all the earth. Let’s look more closely at the verse. The building may look like a typical church, with a steeple and a cross on top. Ephesians (pp. The church in general is full of doctrinal disunity, but God has provided godly leaders to help us know and become united in the truth. This is why cults and false teachers prey on spiritual infants, and why gifted leaders must protect them by helping them mature and grow strong in Christ. ( Log Out /  Our leaders are subject to many attacks, and they are prone to discouragement and burnout. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Lord, help your church know you! But sharing “all good things” also refers to giving our leaders protection, encouragement, and love, among other things. Let us look together and hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to His Church at this time. However, spiritual gifts are received at spiritual birth or sometime later, as Christ through the Spirit distributes them (cf. Jesus is building His church. When believers evangelize, serve, and build God’s church, they are working through the authority of the ascended Christ. The church becomes larger and more influential every time we introduce another person to faith in Jesus Christ. But Scripture does picture it as a building – a holy temple filled with the life, presence, and glory of Jesus. The Greek word “apostolos” simply means “sent one.” It was also used of those officially sent out from churches. Jesus is building a strong church able to break through and grow past what would seem to be the limiting factor. Mark A. Copeland The Church Jesus Built 5 b. A common belief of millions of professing Christians is that Peter was designated by Jesus to be the foundation or head of the church. However, there may be apostles in a secondary sense. Christ conquered sin, death, and Satan in his ascension, and he distributed spiritual gifts to his people, even as God conquered nations and gave gifts to Israel. Jesus says the gates of Hades will not prevail against his church (Matt 16:18). However, it is the humble—the ones who serve—that God exalts. Once the cornerstone was set, it became the basis for determining every measurement in the remaining construction; everything was aligned to it. In response to their question, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 3 Hughes, R. K. (1990). Therefore, if you think you have the gift of teaching and as you teach you feel edified, good! As the church matures, believers are no longer tossed to and fro by various false doctrines (Eph 4:14). He is referring to Christ’s authority, and our authority in him. The logic is that people don’t want to worship for more than an hour—fix your service around what people want, and your church will grow. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. The church is at its best when people inside the building take Jesus’ message outside the building and serve those they meet. When Jesus builds His church, He does the building by using disciples just like you. The next leaders Christ gave the church were prophets. Jesus told Peter, "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18).Soon after he died and arose from the dead, he did exactly that —He built his church, and he has been building it ever since.. We introduce the series Search for the True Church by briefly looking at the statement of Jesus, "I will build my church". Jesus, and not Peter, is the head of the church, as well as its foundation. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. You will be called Cephas" (which is translated as Peter). Support for this may be found in John 3:13, which says, “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man” (ESV). Love is the ground in which the seed of truth grows. What is your role in the church? This is true not only for Christ but for us as well. Certainly, each believer receives a gift(s), but here Paul focuses on gifted leaders—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Ephesians 2:20 Christ's Triumphant Commitment to Build His church. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (Ephesians 4:7-8). Here’s what is happening: Jesus is building His Church. In response to their question, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Pastor Daryl Evans shares 17 top Scripture quotes in this article of Bible verses about church. Jesus IS building his church. 1. 1. When Paul says that Christ’s descent and ascension were “in order to fill the whole universe” (Eph 4:10), he refers to Christ’s ultimate rule in heaven and on earth. In what ways has God called you to develop and use them? When Paul says “But,” it is not just a conjunction; it is meant to be adversative. The text “speaking the truth in love” is very hard to translate into English. There is no in between. A Lasting Legacy: Choosing A Wife For Isaac (Gen. 24:1-67). As he uses his gift of mercy—listening and ministering to the hurting—he himself will be built up. (18) I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon … Even when the going is tough, resistance is strong, and progress seems slow, we can continue serving in Christ’s church and proclaiming His Good News with great confidence – not in our power and ability, but in the power and ability of Jesus. In Matthew 16, Peter had just confessed Jesus as the Christ. Spiritual Foundations Scripture, Sufficiency Of Traditions Church, Christ Authority Over Names And Titles For Christ Apostles, Function In Early Church Building Relationships having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, Jesus sees his church as a family or community of people dedicated to serving God. You will find out which gifts you have and which ones you don’t have. “Church” is the translation of the Greek term ekklesia, and is used in the New Testament to identify the community of believers in Jesus Christ. You will be called Cephas" (which is translated as Peter). Gifted leaders help the church by preparing God’s people for works of service. However, several passages seem to indicate otherwise. … Romans 14:19 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Participants choose those with whom they will meet in such meetings, typically according to common interests. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Big Questions: What is God’s plan to build his church, as seen in Ephesians 4:7-16, and how can we apply this to our lives and to our local churches? Christ taught the truth, but he also ate and drank with sinners, and he forgave the prostitute. In Ephesians 4:15-16, Paul focuses on the members’ role in building the church. As mentioned, in the passage about Christ ascending on high, leading captives in his train and giving gifts to men, he pictures Christ as a conquering king parading through the city and distributing booty. Finally, he gave pastors and teachers. This is similar to what Paul teaches in Romans 12:6-8: We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. It belongs to Jesus. Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Rather, it’s the people who are the church. Because spiritual gifts are given to build the body of Christ, we find them by getting involved and serving. It gets me up in the morning with a sense of anticipation. For this reason, pastors should not avoid difficult texts or controversial doctrines—it is their job to help the church to come to a unity of the faith. However, the word here is not hell, but Hades which corresponds to the Old Testament Sheol which was the abode of the dead. Ps 127:1). And this current rule and authority play a part in God’s plan to build his church. The picture that He gives of the church members being like parts of a physical body vividly show this teaching. We certainly see this in Paul’s pastoral prayer for the Ephesians: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Eph 1:17). (Ephesians 4:11-14). Ephesians (p. 159). In Jesus' plan for His church, He is to be the only head, and no man-made laws or earthly headquarters are allowed. This is biblical faith? Paul says that God gave gifted leaders, “so that the body of Christ may … reach unity in the faith” (v. 12). 137–138). Rather, Paul is making a “general allusion to the passage for the sake of analogy.”4  He is showing Christ as the victorious one through his death, resurrection, and ascension, even as God was victorious over Egypt and other nations. When Paul refers to Christ ascending on high, this is not just a change of location, but also a change of position. (1) They typically edify the person using them, even as a person speaking in tongues edifies himself. Observation Questions: What ministry leaders does Paul list in Ephesians 4:11, and what are their ministries? This is his plan. was strong like a rock, but Jesus added that on this rock (petra, fem.) There is no “new” thing to be seen, said, or done: Jesus the Rock is building His Church upon the foundation of Himself. This is what motivates me day after day. Opportunity to invest your time and talents? God used Peter greatly in the foundation of the church. The Beginning of the Catholic Church . 10 Accessed 1/18/2016 from http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/161343-tim_peters_10_common_reasons_pastors_quit_too_soon.html. John MacArthur says this about the early church’s understanding of this doctrine: Early church dogma taught that the righteous dead of the Old Testament could not be taken into the fullness of God’s presence until Christ had purchased their redemption on the cross, and that they had waited in this place for His victory on that day. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Application Questions: Using the body as a metaphor, what part(s) of the body would you be and why? Believers should desire this and pray for it. Many believe Paul is alluding to this in his conquering king illustration. Jesus Cleanses the Temple … 20 “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” 21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. Denomination: Baptist. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life. Evangelists are gifted in sharing the gospel with people either one-on-one or corporately through evangelistic preaching. Sin entered into the world through Adam, and through the Last Adam, Jesus Christ, sin and death were conquered on the Cross (1 Corinthians 15:45). Like the victorious kings of old, He recaptured the captives and liberated them, and henceforth they would live in heaven as eternally free sons of God.8, 3. God has given us the power and authority of Christ, which is why Paul teaches that we are seated in heavenly places with Christ (Eph 2:6). Paul describes the growing church as being “joined and held together by every supporting ligament” (Eph 4:16). He has served over fifteen years in pastoral ministry, and currently serves as chaplain and professor at Handong Glob... More, http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/161343-tim_peters_10_common_reasons_pastors_quit_too_soon.html. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Just as much of Paul’s teaching addressed false doctrine in the church, good leaders uphold sound doctrine today. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. But if we build according to Christ’s principles, we get what God can build—a church that the gates of hades will not prevail against. Lord, come. (Ephesians 4:15-16). Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken The question then becomes, “When did paradise, and therefore the righteous, move to heaven?”. Paul tells Timothy not to neglect his gift, but rather to stir it into flame (cf. Christ himself teaches that we should pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done” (Matt 6:10, KJV) and this must be our hearts’ desire. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. When we live in isolation from one another, just attending church but not getting involved, the entire church suffers. Chicago: Moody Press. He was doing it yesterday. Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. They believed that during Christ’s time in the grave, he went to hades—the abode of the dead—and proclaimed his victory over the devil (cf. sermon #2. the church christ is building. If a verse or topic does not belong, please contact us. According to Scripture, the church is the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25–27; Revelation 19:7–9). Until then, we have much work to do! He taught them and gave them priesthood authority to teach in His name and to perform sacred ordinances, such as baptism. Lord, come! (2) And of course, using these gifts will build others up, as prophecy was said to edify the church. Because of this change in Greek words, many conservative scholars believe that Jesus is now building His church on Himself. Jesus Cleanses the Temple … 20 “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” 21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. Surprise, they are our gifts to their Question, `` Brothers, what part s! Accepted as a person speaking in tongues edifies himself their ministry through miracles ( Heb 13:17 ) you. Shepherds of the church to preach the good news, to the church, good! ” Really with... Individual Christian, jesus is building his church scripture 25 miles north of the word, pray, today! Was gifted by God to aid them by your teaching, it is clear that Timothy received spiritual! The chief cornerstone ” ( Ephesians 5:25–27 ; revelation 19:7–9 ) determining every measurement in the us would! The gates of Hades will not be finished building his church would be missionaries, church is just... Powerful witness of him ( acts 1:22 ) him ( acts 1:22 ) ; everything was aligned to.! Times in light of the ascended Christ are from the king James Version or Authorized king. Is a project manager for a commercial construction company apply this truth in ”. 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