Jesus is building His church. Application Question: How do we find our spiritual gifts? How can we apply this truth in our daily lives and ministries? Topics and verses are auto-generated from user searches. There are at least three different views on this. Our leaders are subject to many attacks, and they are prone to discouragement and burnout. It literally means “assembly,” “congregation,” or “meeting.” It is worth mentioning that in the New Testament, no synagogue, temple, chapel, tabernacle, building or any other meeting place was ever called a “church.” Therefore, if you think you have the gift of teaching and as you teach you feel edified, good! Gifted leaders help the church come to a unity of the faith. They will be found inside and outside established churches. We’ve been entrusted with a stewardship responsibility within the church, but we do not own the church. Here are 8 ways to keep from being the church Jesus is building: 1. In the New Testament, it is clear that believers now live in heaven. If there are apostles today, they would be missionaries, church planters, ministry leaders, etc. However, it is possible for a person to be gifted in teaching but not in pastoring. Jesus appears to be using a play on words. No, the church is a growing, forward marching movement that ought to be exercising influence for Jesus Christ in this crazy world. This is true not only for Christ but for us as well. No officers may oversee more than one local church. Application Questions: Using the body as a metaphor, what part(s) of the body would you be and why? But, at his resurrection, he ascended to heaven to rule. 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. Ps 127:1). In the US, more than 1,700 pastors leave the ministry every month.10 If Satan had only one bullet, he would aim it at our spiritual leaders. In addition, Christ says we either gather with him or scatter (Matt 12:30). Scripture does not endorse a model where pastors and teachers are paid professionals who do all the work while the congregation does nothing. 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. 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. God’s new society: the message of Ephesians (pp. How is God calling you to fulfill it? In what ways can you better encourage the participation and unity of other members in your local church or ministry? 22 After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. He’s building His church and no one will stop Him! First Corinthians 14:4 says, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” I think we discern two characteristics of spiritual gifts from this verse. In this psalm, David depicts God “as marching in triumph before all Israel after the Exodus.”3 God not only conquered Egypt for Israel, but also the nations who attacked them in the wilderness. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. Scripture: Matthew 16:18. In addition, gates are not weapons of warfare but of containment. God authenticated their ministry through miracles (Heb 2:1-4, 2 Cor 12:12). He used Peter to build His church, He used the other apostles to build His church, and today He uses us. They include teaching, administration, mercy, exhortation, helps, tongues, faith, miracles, and giving, among others. In 1 Corinthians 12:31, Paul calls believers to “eagerly desire the greater gifts.” This statement wouldn’t make sense if there were no opportunity to receive greater gifts. When asked why they believe this, many will quote Matthew 16:18-19 as the answer, explaining that Jesus said Peter was the rock on which the church would be built. But sharing “all good things” also refers to giving our leaders protection, encouragement, and love, among other things. This is what motivates me day after day. When believers live out the truth, the church grows—and when they don’t, it dies. And he won’t stop until it’s time for him to return again to establish permanent, forever peace on all the earth. His hope was for the Ephesian congregations to know God more. It gets me up in the morning with a sense of anticipation. Paul describes them in 1 Corinthians 14:3 as speaking to people “for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.” They may at times be identified by addressing social sins and failures of God’s people, even as the Old Testament prophets did. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. However, there may be apostles in a secondary sense. 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". When that happens, their whole sphere of influence is opened up to the powerful witness of their changed life. However, if we only have love and not truth, then we have liberalism—a gross acceptance of sin. 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. In 2 Corinthians 12:2 and 4, Paul equates paradise with the third heaven. The establishment of clergy and laymen has greatly hurt the church. The Greek word “apostolos” simply means “sent one.” It was also used of those officially sent out from churches. 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. … First Corinthians 8:1 says, “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” Speaking the truth without love only pushes people away. So then, no more boasting about men! How does it grow? 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. This video is unavailable. 1. Evangelists are gifted in sharing the gospel with people either one-on-one or corporately through evangelistic preaching. In 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, he added. 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. Bible verses about Church Is Not A Building. “‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6). The reformers believed it referred to the incarnation.6 When Christ descended, he left heaven and came to earth as a man to die for the sins of the world. Q. 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 When a person uses this gift, it only builds him up unless it is interpreted. Since the foundation of the church is already built, there are no apostles in that sense today. However, when the church is not living out the truth, it hinders growth, pushing people away from God and one another. 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. 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). When the word “church” comes up in conversation, the first thing we think of is a building. 21:14). Only men” (1 Cor 3:5). The church is not a building. 12 Stott, J. R. W. (1979). However, there are prophets in a secondary sense. Here’s what is happening: Jesus is building His Church. Since Christ’s ascension, he rules the universe as king, far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion. Typically, spiritual gifts edify both the user and the receiver. The early church fathers believed it referred to Christ going to hades during his three days in the grave.7 Support for this is found in 1 Peter 3:18-19, a controversial passage: For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. 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 are two tests to determine them. Opportunity to partner with us? 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). 9 Stott, J. R. W. (1979). But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Paul describes the spiritually immature as infants, and like physical infants, they lack knowledge and discernment—making them vulnerable. (Ephesians 4:7-16 ). They train the church to evangelize, baptize, disciple, and serve in various other ways. Think about what this verse is saying – things that change our perspective on the church. God exalted his victorious Son above every power and principality in heaven and on earth, and this enables him, as the conquering King, to give gifts to believers. (Ephesians 4:8-10). Jesus Christ organized His Church: Gifted leaders help the church to become more like Christ. 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. Reply. Scripture quotations marked KJV or AKJV are from the King James Version or Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible. People are the building blocks. Therefore, Psalm 68 is not a prophecy about Christ. Such meetings are self-selecting ; the church is not. Further support is seen in Christ telling the thief on the cross that on that same day he would be with him in paradise (Luke 23:43). We must work to heal any division that tries to destroy the body or keep it from growing. We introduce the series Search for the True Church by briefly looking at the statement of Jesus, "I will build my church". He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison. They typically feel very comfortable around unbelievers, and are often gifted at answering questions that are hindering these people from coming to the Lord. God used Peter greatly in the foundation of the church. The Beginning of the Catholic Church . Christ descended to the depths of the earth in his death. He would build His church. Each believer receives a different grace from Christ. God often gives them insight into an individual’s life, a church, or even a nation in order to strengthen and encourage people. Gifted leaders help the church come to know Christ. 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. Ephesians 2:20 The devil and all the forces of hell will not be able to stop or defeat Christ’s church. However, spiritual gifts are received at spiritual birth or sometime later, as Christ through the Spirit distributes them (cf. We look at the contrasting fruits that identify those who are influenced by a different spirit and preach a different gospel. The whole church ministers to its members and to the world. Godly leaders help the church come to a unity of faith by opposing wrong doctrine. But, what is God’s plan for church growth? Ephesians 5:25-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. It was startling, but undeniably biblical.11, This is a biblical model of church ministry. This is similar to what Paul teaches in Romans 12:6-8: We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. The first view is that Jesus was declaring that Peter would be the “rock” on which He would build His church. 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. Understanding this passage in its original language, Greek, provides the key to understanding what Christ meant. However, as we compare the Old Testament passage with Paul’s quotation, there is a slight difference. This is an invitation for you to join Mercy Village Church in that work (in small or large ways or anything in between). Jesus isn’t saying that Peter is the foundation of the church; One was paradise (i.e. Just as much of Paul’s teaching addressed false doctrine in the church, good leaders uphold sound doctrine today. The first will be last and the last will be first (Matt 20:16). Jesus' prophecy that the church will be His witness "to the ends of the earth" will come true (Acts 1:8). Paul mentions the gift of teaching individually in 1 Corinthians 12, so he is probably referring to two separate gifts in Ephesians 4:11. God’s new society: the message of Ephesians (pp. “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. 158–159). It seems clear that Timothy received another spiritual gift after salvation. He had just left Magdala, which was on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, where he had just debated with the Pharisees and Sadducees who wanted him to produce a sign from heaven to verify Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. However, several passages seem to indicate otherwise. In many countries, churches meet in houses, as the early church did. Application Questions: What are your spiritual gifts? We live in a world system where everybody wants to be served, and nobody wants to serve others. Therefore, I believe it is good to both desire and pray for spiritual gifts. God uses the evangelist to bring people to Christ, and he uses the church to disciple these new believers. ( Log Out /  6 Stott, J. R. W. (1979). Why are spiritual infants so prone to strongholds and false teaching? Thank you, Lord, for your victory! Matthew 16:18b KJV 1. On the Day of Pentecost, a great multitude were saved by the Lord Jesus Christ.