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Presented, May 16, 2004

IS THE BIBLICAL PATTERN FOR THE CHURCH SUFFICIENT?

                It is no secret that within the religious world today the simple, Biblical pattern for the church has been lost.  While the work of the church in the New Testament was limited in its purpose and scope, today there are virtually no boundaries as to what the church is and what it can do.  We find churches engaged in businesses, secular education, entertainment, politics, recreation, social work and who knows what else?  The focus of far too many churches is no longer on spiritual, but rather social or benevolent.  While such works may be good, wholesome and even commanded within their proper sphere, the question arises: WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY?  

Sadly, far too many will readily admit there is little or no authority in the Bible for what they are doing but say that what they are doing is still acceptable because they have good intentions and they BELIEVE that is what God wants them to do.  Some even dismiss the Bible as being outdated and insufficient in today’s society.  They claim that their mission is to cater to “the whole man” meaning every aspect of his life. 

But is such pleasing to God?  Is He pleased when man changes His pattern to satisfy the demands of man?  Is the pattern of the New Testament for His church really sufficient to accomplish what He intended the church to be?  In our lesson tonight, we want examine this question and note what the consequences are if we say His pattern is NOT sufficient.

I.  God’s Simple Pattern

A.      The purpose of the church simply stated is: “The pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15)

B.       In all that the church does, it must keep that in mind.  Within God’s word we find the church engaged in supporting evangelism, limited benevolence to saints in need, the edification (or building up) of the saints and worshipping God.

C.       Within the pages of the New Testament we find local churches were always independent and autonomous in their work.  When there was cooperation, it was concurrent (meaning two or more churches doing the same thing at the same time while maintaining their independence – for example, in supporting Paul – there were occasions when more than one church supported him, yet they sent their support directly to him (2 Corinthians 11:8)

Much time could be spent developing each of these points and others, but my purpose today is to simply ask is God’s pattern sufficient?

II. The Elements of God’s Pattern

A.      God Planned the Church

a.        Ephesians 3:10-11 – the church was according to His eternal purpose.

b.       Old Testament prophecies attest to this fact – cf. Isaiah 2:2; Daniel 2:44; etc.

c.        The Tabernacle was a pattern of that church – Hebrews 8:1-5.  This passage tells us that as divine instructions were given concerning the tabernacle God had something else in mind, which is why He was so specific in His instructions.

d.       John the Baptist taught – Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand – Matthew 3:2

e.        Jesus taught it during His ministry – Matthew 4:17, 16:18, etc.

f.         Acts 2 records the fulfillment of that plan.

B.       It Has a divine purpose

a.        Ephesians 3:10 – The church IS the manifold wisdom of God.  It was a demonstration to principalities and powers in heavenly places of God’s wisdom.

b.       1 Timothy 3:15 – It is to support the truth (not make its own)

c.        It IS the saved (in its universal sense) (Acts 2:47)

d.       It always has been and is still spiritual in its nature –
John 18:36 – My kingdom is not of this world.
Romans 14:17 – the kingdom of God is NOT eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Luke 17:21 – Jesus said, “the kingdom is within you” 

C.       It is revealed by the Holy Spirit in God’s Perfect Revelation

a.        A study of divine inspiration shows that what God says is ALL that we need

b.       2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All writings inspired are profitable…make the man of God complete
Jude 3 – what was revealed in the first century WAS complete

c.        Romans 1:16-17 – within God’s word the righteousness of God is revealed

d.       2 Peter 1:3 – His divine power has given unto us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness.

e.        We have NO right to add to or take away from His word –
Galatians 1:6-9 – to him who does, let him be accursed
1 Corinthians 4:6 – we are “not to think beyond what is written”

f.         Even the apostles, who were guided by the Holy Spirit realized their boundaries – Galatians 1:10-12 – concerning Paul.
Consider Acts 15 where they were involved in resolving a conflict concerning circumcision.  As you study that chapter you find that the decisions they made were NOT their own opinions, but the work of the Holy Spirit through command, example and necessary conclusion.  In writing their decision they said, “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things…”

D.      It’s Function is Under Divine Supervision

a.        The church belongs to Jesus – it is HIS – Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23.

b.       As the HEAD of the church, we are the body.  Can the body operate independent of the head?  1 Corinthians 12:27 – describing the church at Corinth as a body, Paul showed how each part is important and needed (12:12-27).  But in all that we must never forget we are UNDER the head.

c.        Ephesians 5:22-24 – The church is subject to Christ as the wife is subject to the husband.  Note Paul’s main point in vs. 32, “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church”

d.       Matthew 28:18-20 – when His apostles were instructed to “make disciples” they were told they were told, “teaching them to observe all things…”

e.        1 Corinthians 3:9-11 – Christ is the ONLY foundation we can build on. Paul warns the brethren at Corinth to take heed how you build on that foundation.

These we can see some elements of God’s pattern for the church that show it to be sufficient (or adequate).  Yet man has continually rejected this pattern.  What are the consequences of rejecting this pattern?  Let us consider for a few moments some of these. 

III. When We Reject God’s Pattern

A.      We are saying God’s way is not sufficient.

a.        Can anyone deny that God’s way is best?  Would anyone DARE to challenge God’s ways?

b.       Jeremiah realized, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23)

c.        Solomon realized, “There is a way that seems right to man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25).

B.       We are saying His ways are flawed

a.        When man sets out to change the purpose of the church he is in essence finding fault with God’s purpose.  He is saying he knows better than God himself what is best

b.       In finding fault with the church you always find man applies human wisdom – Isaiah 55:8-9, God says His thoughts and ways are not the same as ours.  AND His ways are higher than ours.

c.        Paul noted in 1 Corinthians 1: 25 that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man.

d.       I would like to think that God knows what He is talking about as He set His pattern for the church.

C.       We reject His divine instructions –

a.        The big problem today in too many instances is that man simply rejects the inspired word of God as their final source of authority.  They simply don’t care what God’s word says.

b.       In Mark 7:6-9 – Notice esp. vs. 9, “All too well you reject the commandment of God.”

D.      We are saying we don’t need Jesus as our head

a.        Many churches proudly claim a founder other than Jesus.  And while they give lip service to Him, they actually put more weight on the doctrines of men.

b.       The problem with this is summed up in Acts 4:12 – “Nor is there salvation in any other name…”

E.       We are putting the desires of man above the desires of God –

a.        In every innovation that has been introduced since (and even during) the first century, it has always been to please men and not God.  Therein lies the problem.

b.       Paul even warned Timothy to preach the word because this would happen – 2 Timothy 4:2-4.

In conclusion: Let it be understood that in many instance mans intentions are noble and he BELIEVE what he is doing is pleasing to God.  But, while they may not intend for it to be so they are rejecting the all sufficient pattern that God has set forth to their own destruction.  Jesus said its not enough to call upon His name – you HAVE to do the will of God (Matthew 7:21-23).  Let us always resolve to keep the church of Christ here in Bellflower just that, THE CHURCH OF CHRIST!