INTRODUCTION:
A. This lesson emphasizes the Church as a divine arrangement with a divine purpose
B. This should dispel from every mind the common concept that the church was
planned by human wisdom, brought into existence by human will, ruled by human
authority or has a social mission
DISCUSSION:
I. CHURCH THE RESULT OF GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE
A. Has been a mystery, now made know by the church Eph 3:10
B. Purpose of God from eternity Eph 3:11
C. God then is the supreme architect of the church
1. Pattern is divine, result of divine wisdom and planning - compare great
building by architect
2. Pattern represents not only divine planning but divine will which cannot be
disregarded but must be followed: note these examples
a. Noah had a pattern for the ark Gen 6:13-22
b. Moses had a pattern for tabernacle Ex 25:40
c. Principle applied to church 1Cor 3:9-11; Heb 8:5
d. The idea that God tells us only what to do and not how to do it is in direct
conflict with Bible teaching
D. Built by Christ in harmony with God's purpose and plan Matt 16:17,18
E. Ruled by divine will and authority Matt 28:18-20
II. THERE IS A DIVINE PLAN FOR THE CHURCH IN ACCOMPLISHING GOD'S
PURPOSE Eph 4:11
A. Apostles and prophets - their work of divine revelation is finished. It is
preserved for us 1Cor 13:9,10; Eph 3:4
B. Evangelist - their work is propagating the gospel 2Tim 4:2,5
C. Pastors and teachers - their work is all within the local congregation Acts 20:28
D. Divine wisdom has given this arrangement through which the church is to
accomplish its divine mission
E. Those charged with these tasks in the early church were given gifts to make
it possible for them to function according to the divine will until revelation was
complete Eph 4:8-13; 1Cor 13:9,10
III. THE CHURCH HAS BEEN GIVEN A DIVINE PROGRAM THROUGH WHICH IT
MAY ACCOMPLISH ITS WORK OR ACTIVITY Eph 4:12
A. PERFECTING: of the saints (katartismon) MacKnight says to place the parts of
any machine or body in proper order and to unite them so as to render the
machine or body complete
1. Hence the edifying of the body
2. Educating or training Christians in right living and acceptable service to God
B. WORK OF THE MINISTRY: (diakonia) same word used in 2Cor 9:1. Service is
the idea, includes ministering to the poor but not limited to that: it includes any act
of service
C. EDIFYING THE BODY: (oikodomeo) (RV= Building up) The same word used in
Matt 16:18 and means to plant or establish; to enlarge the borders by bringing
others through preaching; hence evangelizing the world Mk 16:15,16;
Matt 28:18-20
IV. WHAT THE WORK OF THE CHURCH IS NOT
A. It is not social
1. Gospel will work social reform through reforming individual's manner of living
and thinking
2. Christians did not undertake social reform or social equality
a. Paul taught whether slave or master be the best 1Cor 7:20-22
b. Home is the place for social activity 1Cor 11:22
B. Church is not a money making institution; it is supported by freewill offerings
1Cor 16:1,2; 2Cor 9:7
C. Church is not a secular education center Heb 5:12-14
D. Church is not a political action organization Rom 13:1-7; 1Pet 2:13-17
CONCLUSION:
A. The church is a spiritual institution with a spiritual mission - to make known the
manifold wisdom of God Eph 3:10
B. The reason the church is not growing today is one of two or maybe a combination
of both. We have either forgotten what our mission is or we are simply not
practicing it.
C. No man has the right to debase the energy, strength, zeal or resources of the
church to serve human aims or purposes
D. The church should and must be kept faithful to the divine mission that was God's
purpose from eternity for her to serve Eph 3:11
Outline arranged by Jerry L. henderson