Theme: We continue our “We Believe” series this week by considering the closely-related doctrines of the church and the kingdom. Here our focus shifts from “I” to “we,” from personal salvation to broader social dynamics that are also part of the Good News.
Theme: Part A: The Church - The reconciling passion of Christ, and the uniting impulses of the Holy Spirit, generate a very special, mysterious union amongst those who belong to Christ.
Theme: Part B: The Kingdom of God - And then Jesus goes on to invite all of us who are part of this community to join Him in a cause greater than ourselves - the kingdom of God. This can infuse our everyday lives and ordinary endeavors with purpose and eternal significance.
Outline:
Introduction - “We believe” - Latin term is “credo.” The early church confirmed with conviction that these things are true, lived differently because of it. Relationship is more eternal than anything else. We’re social creatures, always in relationship. An echo of the dynamic of love that exists eternally in God Himself. Connection rather than alienation.
PART A: THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
A gathered community of shared allegiance and purpose
1. The Nature of the Church: What it is - we fall into the trap of thinking of church as an institution or organization, which is just the scaffolding. It’s a gathering of people. A network of spiritual friends, incarnate network. 1 Corinthians 12:13, Matthew 6:9, 16:18
2. The Mission of the Church: What It Is to Do
A. Worship God - help people experience the transcendent
B. Edify its Members - build one another up
C. Proclaim and Model the Gospel - not just a herald of the Good News, but an embodiment of the Good News. How we do life together adds or subtracts from our credibility
D. Minister Grace to the World - do the things Jesus did. Healing, service, sacrifice, not just to get somebody to accept Christ.
E. The Significance of the Corporate Factor - none of these things were intended to be done just by ourselves. We do it better together, gifts are distributed, not stockpiled in one Super Christian
3. Keys to the Health and Growth of the Church
The Word is preached, heard, and obeyed
The ordinances are conscientiously practiced
A practice of prayer and the cultivation of real spirituality
Lovingly and firmly church discipline is practiced
Gifts of individuals are not squashed or suppressed (not locked up), but are released, affirmed, and encouraged. Everybody realizes it takes work to stay unified. Acts 2:42
4. Why the Church is Good News - Ephesians 4:16 - you don’t have to do everything. The church works best when every part does its work. There’s a freedom in this. How I’m wired is the biggest clue to my contribution
PART B: THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The benevolent reign of God, within which humanity flourishes and persons become fully alive.
Not squeezed. Matthew 13:44. The kingdom of God was the central theme in the ministry of Jesus. It should be important to the thinking and conduct of His followers.
1. The Nature of the Kingdom - The kingdom will expand and triumph over all societies and cultures. Christ reigns over all. God owns everything He has made, and has a commitment to restoring this mess to operational function. Redemption isn’t just for the church.
2. Learning to Dance - The kingdom is in conflict with a hostile enemy. Go about our normal human life according to kingdom ways. Live and act now in ways that anticipate the promised kingdom.
3. Advancing and Living the Kingdom - Our sphere of influence may be modest. Truly effective kingdom work is rarely measured by worldly standards. It advances in a hidden way. Don’t ever despise the day of small things.
4. Why the Kingdom is Good News - It offers a framework for meaning and significance.
Takeway: Jesus Christ created a unique community - a place to belong - called the church. Then He committed Himself to be present within it, and to protect and provide for it always. Now He invites us to receive this God-gift of community, and to be involved in it and committed to it, just as He is. The kingdom of God is not quite the same thing. It is a hidden reality that God has launched, that is present and advancing as we speak, and that will someday encompass every inch of human society and culture. To live according to kingdom ways, and to contribute to the kingdom’s progress, are keys to experiencing purpose and meaning in our lives.