October 30, 2011

A foundation is the basis upon which something stands or is supported. Houses are built on a cement foundation. The cement foundation holds up the house. Without a good, solid foundation the house will fall.

Saint Cyprian of Carthage was converted in 246 AD and was made bishop of Carthage in 248. He was martyred in 258 AD. He said, “You cannot have God for your Father unless you have the Church for your Mother.” This is a very interesting statement and I’m not sure what all Cyprian meant by it. But on one level I agree with it, especially in light of the book of Ephesians. Two Wednesdays ago I woke up around 3:30 AM and began thinking about Ephesians. As I reflected on the letter as a whole a thought began to take shape in my mind which led to this message.

The church of Jesus Christ is built on the foundation of the Apostles and it’s corner stone is Christ. But the church is also a foundation upon which believers stand. So before we move on to talk about husbands and wives, let me say this morning that the church of Jesus Christ provides the foundation for living the Christian life.

 

I. THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST. Eph.1:22-23

In Ephesians one Paul has this wonderful doxology to God, which highlights Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We read about how believers are chosen in Christ to be holy and blameless. We read about how we are adopted as sons of God through Jesus Christ. We read about redemption and the forgiveness of sins graciously given by God through Christ. We read about how all things in heaven and earth will be brought together under the rule of Christ. Then we read about how we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, who’s indwelling guarantees our inheritance in Christ. Verses 3-14 are a prologue to the rest of the letter, showing us how Christ is Lord over all.

In v.15-23 Paul prays for the believers. He prays that believers may know God’s incomparably great power. It’s the same power that God exerted in raising Christ from the dead. But look specifically at v.22-23. This is what I want us to think about.

Why did God appoint Christ to be head over everything? According to v.22 it was for the church, which is his body. Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, but where is he exercising his lordship the most? It appears to me to be in his church, his body.

We talk a great deal about Christ being the Lord of our lives, and he is. 1Pt.3:15 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” Christ is my Lord and if you know him he is your Lord. But those who know Christ are part of his body, part of his church. We cannot embrace Christ as Lord of our lives, without embracing Christ as Lord of his church. And we cannot embrace Christ as Lord of his church unless we are part of his church. Followers of Christ are honored and privileged to participate in his church. If we would rather not participate we have rejected a major expression of his lordship. If you reject his body, are you not rejecting Him?

These are strong words. You may be wondering who I am talking to. Well, I’m talking to any believer who has a casual relationship with the local church. For many believers today, the local church is often on the periphery of their lives. In fact the church is often less important than school, work, sports and entertainment. I’m arguing from Ephesians that the church must be central to our lives because Christ is Lord of the church. If you believe that God has brought you to this local church, then I’m suggesting that the church ought to have a central place in your life.

 

II. THE CHURCH IS THE CENTER OF GOD’S WORK IN THE WORLD. Eph.2-3

In Eph.2:1-10 we read about how everyone is dead in their transgressions and sins, but that God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. But beginning with v.11 Paul starts to clarify who exactly has been made alive in Christ. He tells us that it is both Jews and Gentiles.

Look at Eph.2:14-16. In dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus established a new way to God. Jews no longer had sole claim to God. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Because of Christ, Jew and Gentile are on equal footing. All must come to the Father through the son. So how is God reconciling ethnic hostility and division? It is through his body, the church. In Eph.3:6 we read, “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

Want to know what God is up to in the world? He is uniting all races and people groups in his church. This is why it is so inappropriate for any congregation to ignore or look down on any ethnic group. If you are a part of the church of Jesus Christ, and you harbor resentment or disdain for any ethnic group, you have not yet come to terms with the Lordship of Christ in his church. He welcomes anyone who comes to him. But more than that, all of us in the church must be part of God’s project of racial reconciliation. It doesn’t make any difference what color we might be or what language we speak, the love of Christ for all people must overflow from our lives.

Look at 3:10. What is God’s intent for the church? The church is to make known the manifold wisdom of God to the world and the heavenly realms. And in v.21 Paul writes, “and to [God] be glory in the church....” The church is the vehicle through which God is revealing himself in the world. The church is to take the gospel into the world. The church is to be salt and light in the world, bringing glory to God.

When Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthian believers, he was saddened by the division in the church. Christian people were taking sides, aligning themselves with Paul, Peter, Apollos, and even Christ. Believers were taking other believers to court. One man was actually sleeping with his step mother. Is this how we display the manifold wisdom of God? Brothers and sisters, I realize that we are all redeemed sinners. We all stumble in many ways. But I get the sense from Paul, that we are to exercise self-control so that we do not bring disgrace upon the church and the name of Jesus. There are professing believers who have a casual relationship with the local church because they are living a sinful life. Listen, if Christ is our life, as Paul writes in Col.3, then the church ought to be our life as well because Christ gave his life for his church. How we live and conduct our lives has bearing on how the glory of God is revealed in the world.

Now some of us have been serving together here for over 25 years. We have seen many people come and go. By in large my sense is that most people who come to this church find that we are welcoming and friendly. People can see that we are ethnically diverse. We have seen some meaningful outreach opportunities develop, but I believe we must step it up a bit. We need to challenge ourselves to embrace the local church for what it is. It is God’s showpiece to the world, to Forest Park, and surrounding communities. Each one of you has a part to play in the effectiveness of this church. Some of us are big picture people. We like to plan for the next five to ten years. Others of us are narrower in our vision. We are hands on kind of people, making sure that things get done. Both kinds of people are necessary for growth of the church. Opportunities are all around us. How can you best put your hand to the plow in promoting the gospel through the church? I love it when someone calls me and says, “I have an idea for how we can reach others. I’m even more delighted when they say, “I would like to do it. And it is even more wonderful when they are willing to go through the appropriate process for establishing new things in the church. In other words they are not lone rangers. They see that they are part of a church. Wherever we go and whatever we do, we do it as representatives of Christ and his church.

 

III. THE CHURCH IS THE CENTER OF GOD’S WORK IN YOUR LIFE. Eph.4-5

In Eph.4 through chapter 5:21 Paul gives many instructions to regulate the conduct of believers in the local church. I want to emphasize that all of Paul’s instructions have to do with being a part of the church. He’s assuming that believers are involved in the church.

Much of Paul’s instructions have to do with our personal attitudes and conduct. For example, in 4:1-3 he tells us to be humble, gentle, patient, and to bear with one another in love. He tells us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. Later in chapter four Paul tells us to be made new in the attitude of our minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. We are to speak the truth. We are to be kind and compassionate to each other, forgiving each other.

In 4:7-13 we read about spirituals gifts given to the church. Paul tells us that we are to be involved, doing works of service. Why? So that the body of Christ may be built up that we may all become mature in Christ. This all takes place in the church.

Now when we are born, we are born into some kind of family arrangement. And when we come into the world, we are not very civilized. We have to be civilized and domesticated. We have to learn how to live in relationship to others in our family and society. Our families are there to help us become civil and social people. We learn how to wash ourselves, and brush our teeth. We learn how to talk appropriately. For the most part, we learn what is right and wrong. Of course, not everyone has good teaching along these lines.

When we become followers of Christ, we start out as babies in Christ. The selfish thinking and ways of this world have dominated our character and conduct, so now, as those who have been born again, we must learn how to live as followers of Christ. We learn this in the church. We learn this as we hear the word of God taught and preached. We learn this as we rub shoulders with other believers. Some of us have had the privilege of growing up in committed Christian homes. That’s a great advantage. But the church is where the family of God helps and encourages one another in Christ

It’s only after Paul roots our lives in the church of Jesus Christ that he beings to talk about marriage, family, work, etc. We tend to put our own issues ahead of the church. Paul says, you own issues need to be informed and regulated by the body of Christ. In fact, as we will see next week, even marriage has much to do with Christ and his church.

Now there’s a lot wrong with any given local church. Because we are all at different places in our spiritual maturity, we are bound to say things and do things that will bring hurt to each other, just like in any family. This is why having a forgiving heart is so critical. God wants to use the church to help you become mature as a Christian. When you put yourself at odds with the local church, when you have a casual relationship with the local church, you hinder your own maturing in Christ. Is say this because God works through his church to bring us to maturity.

For the past year or so, I have been parking on Dixon Street when I come to work. A few weeks ago, I received a parking ticket. The sign says, 2 hour parking. So I paid the ticket. But as I reflected on this event, I realized that the reason I park on Dixon Street is because it is convenient. My office is on Dixon Street. When I have things to bring into the church, which is often, the Dixon Street entrance is convenient. That’s when it hit me. We have no real entrance to speak of on the south side of the church. The little door in the back is not at all convenient. And if you are a little older, it’s very inconvenient. But most of our parking is on the south side. And frankly, the future of our church is on the south side.

This realization has caused me to begin thinking that we have some important work to do. I’m thinking of phase two. I am realizing that phase two, is part of our work at the church. It is part of our being committed to the church. It’s not just about building a new entrance. It’s about our future ministry and outreach. Since the church is so central to God’s work in the world, since the church is so central to our spiritual growth and maturity in Christ, we must pay attention to the future vitality of this local church. If Christ is our life, and if we are in the family of God, then the church is our house where we learn about living for Christ.

I am beginning to sense an urgency to get this done. I believe it is the next step for us as a congregation. It represents our desire to see the work of God continue here on Harlem Ave. I believe with God’s help we can do it. And as we do it I believe it will be spiritually challenging and profitable for us. Amen