Benefits of the Church Bend 6-11 Medford 6-18

Introduction – One of the important events portrayed by the Day of Pentecost is the beginning of the NT Church.

SPS – Since we have just celebrated Pentecost, it is a good time to review some of the reasons for and benefits of church.

· It is also important because of the human tendency to take the good for granted and focus on the negative.

· “Familiarity breeds contempt.”

· Why doesn’t God just call and work with us all individually?

· What are the reasons and benefits of being part of a church organization?

· Before going any further, I should point out the two different meanings of the word church

1. the spiritual body of Christ—those whom God has called to repentance and conversion, and who have received the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38-41 38 Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles1 -- all who have been called by the Lord our God." 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation!" 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day -- about 3,000 in all. NKJ 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free -- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

2. a church organization or congregation · The United Church of God (a church organization with congregations) consists of some but not all of those in definition #1.

· This message is primarily about this meaning of church—the benefits of being part of a church organization and a local congregation. Why not go it alone? What can church provide that we can’t do by ourselves?

1. Instruction and edification NLT Ephesians 4:11-16 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

2. Counsel and advice NKJ Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. NLT Proverbs 15:22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. NKJ Proverbs 24:6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety. NET Proverbs 24:6 for with guidance you wage your war, and with numerous advisers there is victory.8

· 8 sn The point of the saying is that wise counsel is necessary in war. Victory, strategy, and counsel are more important than mere military strength (NET notes). NLT Ephesians 6:12 For we 1 are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. NLT Proverbs 24:6 So don't go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers.

3. Fellowship NLT Acts 2:42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals …, and to prayer.

· Fellowship and what we call potlucks today were important aspects of the church from the beginning.

· The Greek word translated “fellowship” (koinonia) means sharing what we have in common.

· “close association involving mutual interests and sharing” (BDAG lexicon). NKJ 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

4. Encouragement and exhortation NKJ Ecclesiastes 4:9 ¶ Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. NLT Ecclesiastes 4:9 ¶ Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 ¶ Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. NKJ Hebrews 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. NKJ 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

5. Protection NLT 1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

· Although not mentioned, the allusion is likely referencing members as sheep.

· Notice Paul’s final words to the elders at Ephesus NKJ Acts 20:28-32 28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock (So guard yourselves and God's people – NLT), among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

· “shepherd” (Greek poimaino) = “1. to serve as tender of sheep, herd, tend, (lead to) pasture, 2. to watch out for other people, to shepherd, of activity that protects, rules, governs” (BDAG lexicon). 29 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

· 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following (NLT). 31 "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. 32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified (all those he has set apart for himself – NLT). NLT Acts 20:28-32 28 "So guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock -- his church, purchased with his own blood1 -- over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.2 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you -- my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. 32 "And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

6. Policies and Planning

· Determining how to apply the principles of the Bible in today’s world can be very challenging.

· Here also, the principle of a multitude of counselors is helpful.

· For this reason, most decisions in UCG are made by consensus.

· This results in “synergy” (the whole is greater than the sum of the parts).”

· One of the main reasons I was excited about United from the outset was the opportunity to work together with others on doctrinal matters, because we all make mistakes, so it is safer to bounce it off of several others.

· As the saying goes, “Two heads are better than one.”

· I’m glad it is not left up to all of us individually to figure out the calendar, where to have Feast sites, etc.

· Leaving this up to someone designated by the church to decide keeps us all together instead of going off in several different directions—literally and figuratively. NLT 1 Corinthians 14:40 But be sure that everything is done properly and in order. NKJ 1 Corinthians 14:33 ¶ For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

· Organization is necessary to avoid confusion and to promote propriety and peace.

7. Preaching the Gospel

· Although we all can and should be preaching the gospel by our example and personal testimony, we can accomplish far more as a church (another example of synergy).

· Consider our website, our telecast and our literature as a case in point.

Conclusion – In conclusion, I would like to clear up what may be a misperception on the part of many. · We have said many times that we are not the only group of God’s people.

· It is also true that our personal relationship with God and how we live our lives is more important than what church organization we belong to, if any.

· However, let’s not discount the importance of having a church home.

· We are part of God’s family, and families can and should visit each other, but families all have their own homes, and as the saying goes, “There’s no place like home.”

· Another saying that I like is, “Home is where the heart is.”

· Having a church home means being committed to a church organization that provides the benefits we have been discussing, and having a congregation that you think of as your home—a spiritual oasis with a loving atmosphere—where your heart is.

· It does make a difference what church you belong to.

· I assume that we all have reasons why we are where we are rather than somewhere else, and I hope that we will always remember and appreciate the benefits that we enjoy by being a member of the church—the spiritual body of Christ, and the Bend/Medford congregation of the United Church of God. Let’s take one more look at Ephesians 4 in the New Living Translation that I think sums up very clearly why church is so important: Ephesians 4:11-16 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.