"The Purpose of the Church (Not the Building)"

September 25   The Purpose of the Church (Not the Building)  Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8  

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20)                                                                            “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)   The Church was founded by Jesus Christ and His selfless act at Calvary! Jesus Christ said that He would build His church and that the gates of hell, or death, would not prevail against it and so we know the Church cannot be stopped from existing (Matthew 16:18).  The church was officially founded on the Day of Pentecost, after Jesus’ death and resurrection and its creation was only made possible because of the Holy Spirit coming that day, and by Jesus purchasing the church, with His own blood.  This is recorded in Acts 2:1-4, “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” So, what is our responsibility?  Jesus gave the church its marching orders and it was given by the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ five times!  The main calling of these commands, for the church, is found in Matthew 28:18-20, “Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” and Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and  Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  We see that the church’s purpose is the Great Commission of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, to all, the world.  That is one of the main purposes of the church. The church is actually commanded to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and to take it into all the world.  We are to be His witnesses “to the end of the earth,” across the globe and across the street.  The New Testament is crystal clear that the purpose of the church is the same purpose for which we were made:  To glorify God and to take the gospel into all of this lost and depraved world.  Are you fulfilling the purpose?  Are you focused on Proclaiming the Good News?  Are you living so that the Lost World can see Jesus in you?  What God does with you is up to you!! It always has and it always will!  Inventory your life, Examine, your motives and adjust, so that you will bring honor and glory to God and serve Him in the Beauty of Holiness and fulfill the Great Commission!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!