The Perfect Church

Sunday September 20, 2015 Phone: 570.829.5216 Pastor David Miklas e-mail: [email protected] Message: Christian Life Text: Ephesians 5:25-27

The Perfect Church

INTRODUCTION: Now if you were asked, "What is the church?" what would your answer be? Please note these definitive statements:

The church is never a place, but always a people; never a fold, never a building, but always a believing assembly. The church represents the highest priority on God's agenda and is His blueprint for completing His plans on earth. The church is more than an organization; it is an organism with Jesus Christ as the head.

In Psalms 127:1 we read "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." Today, for the purpose of our subject, allow me to make a one-word substitution. "Unless the Lord builds the CHURCH, they labor in vain who build it." Would to God that we could all be filled to overflowing with a profound sense of the glory of the church as God sees it! To do so:

We must understand that the primary purpose of the church is to exhibit the "Glory of Almighty God." In Ephesians 3:21 we read, "Unto Him, be glory in the church by Christ Jesus."

We must understand that the church was founded by the Lord Jesus Christ. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, "Upon this rock (we must always remember that he was referring to Himself here) I will build My church." Not only is the church built on Christ, but the church is built by Christ.

We must understand that the church of the living God is an empty shell unless it is empowered and energized by the Holy Spirit. The church is set ablaze when the Spirit of God fills a Christian with the PERSON of Christ, the PRESENCE of the Holy Spirit and the POWER of God. Today, a large percentage of two full generations do not attend any church, much less belong to a Bible-believing church. Many children that grew up in homes void of God are now having children of their own, who may also grow up in homes void of God. The world that we live in continues each day to boldly present a message that is in direct opposition to the truth of God's Word. This message today is meant as a wake-up call to God’s people who love the Lord. Parents, and Grandparents, I rejoice greatly when I hear of your offspring walking in the principles, precepts and commandments of the Word of God. On the other hand, it grieves me when I hear of children who are no longer walking with the Lord. Never-the-less, there is an ideal for which to strive, so let’s talk about the characteristics of “The Perfect Church." Now I know some of you are saying, “Right, Pastor, there is no perfect church!” Well, let’s see what the Word of God has to say. Please turn in your Bibles and follow me as I read from Ephesians 5:22-33.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let Page 1 the wives be to their own husbands in everything. (25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (28) So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. (29) For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (30) For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (31) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. (32) This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (33) Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

Yes, "The Perfect Church" does exist. It is not found anywhere here on earth, but it is found in our text. This church will be formed in perfection after the rapture and the Judgment Seat of Christ, when Christ presents it to Himself "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blemish." Jude verse 24 tells us that He will ''present (us) faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."

Until then we will individually as Christians, and collectively as the Church have "spots" or stains because of defilement on the outside, and "wrinkles" caused by decay on the inside. Because the Church is defiled by the world, it needs constant cleansing by the Word of God. The Church, like a beautiful bride, should be clean and youthful, and one day, it will be. One day there will indeed be "The Perfect Church!" Now ultimate perfection may not be possible for the Church on earth, but the earmarks of any church striving to perfection are at least three-fold. FIRST: It must be a church with a HEART produced through HARMONY. The motto printed on our bulletin "the church with a heart" should be more than just an empty slogan. We need harmony in the church as is found in a symphony orchestra. When the different instruments are blended, beautiful music is produced. So it should be in the church. We are all different, but our hearts are meant to blend to produce harmony. In a church with a heart three characteristics are evident: Number 1: A church with a HEART possesses UNITY. The key word here is TOGETHERNESS. For a church to be truly blessed of God, members will be of one mind and one heart. Five times in the first chapters of the Book of Acts, it is mentioned that the church was of ONE ACCORD. For example:

Acts 1:14 says “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”

Acts 4:24 says “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:” God can do business with a church of ONE ACCORD. If you recall this thought was part of the high Priestly prayer of our Lord in John 17:11, 22, where he said “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. ( (22) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:” Just hours before His crucifixion, Jesus was praying that you and I might make an impact on the world because of our unity with Him and with each other. Page 2 Here we ought to resemble the force of an army. In the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” we sing, "Like a mighty army, moves the church of God ...” If we are to win the battle against our common enemy we must have the power that only comes with unity.

In Psalms 133:1we read “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Unity is commended of God. Unity is commanded by God. Unity is blessed of God. At times we are our own greatest enemy. We all want to have our say and have our way. Often we disregard what He wants for what we want. Listen, the world is attracted to a church which follows its leader: Christ. The world will only feel the power of God here if it sees us unified on the basis of Bible Truth. Number 2: A church with a HEART thinks of OTHERS. The key word here is FRIENDSHIP. People will drive for miles and pass by many other churches to attend a friendly church. Let me be very frank with you. It is every person's responsibility to be friendly. Gratefully many of you are getting better at greeting one another. But I still see people in this church who are seldom spoken to. Ten years ago my wife and I visited a church on a Sunday evening. There were about 60 people present. However, not one person greeted us. The pastor did not even recognize us as visitors during the service. After-wards the pastor disappeared, the members cleared out the auditorium. I had to approach several and speak to them. Mary Lou walked out with no one speaking to her.

The difference between a warm and a cold church is YOU. The difference between a person getting saved or not may be YOU. We are characterized as Christ's disciples only if we exhibit love towards one another. The closest thing to a perfect church here on earth is where every member experiences the joy and sorrow of every other member. If we really are "the church with a heart" we must feel and experience other's needs. In order to do that, it takes interaction and involvement. Number 3: A church with a HEART has a genuine interest in SOULS. The key word here is COMPASSION. The "supreme mandate" of the Church is to reach the lost. Everything else is subordinate to this goal. In Mark 16:15 we are commanded by Christ to, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Part of that world is the area in which you live and in which this church is located. Every program, every activity, every ministry of our church ought to have souls as its primary goal. Everything else is secondary.

Think about this. What would happen to this church if 10 families would each reach one family for Christ in this coming year? And then those 20 families would reach another 20 families for Christ next year. Do you see the impact that would begin to make for the gospel in this area? Both here and abroad we must extend our outreach. If we are to enjoy the prospects of “The Perfect Church” we must have a church with a HEART – in unity, in others and in souls. Page 3 SECOND: It must be a church with a HAND. To reach the status of “The Perfect Church” there must be the extension of our hands in the work. In the average church 20% do all the work while 80% watch and reap the benefits.

In Romans 12:3-8 we read, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (4) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (6) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (7) Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (8) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Here as also in I Corinthians 12:1-31 and Ephesians 4:7-11 you will find that God has gifted us with a variety of gifts. These gifts are God’s spiritual endowment of talents and abilities to use in the service of the ministry. Each of us has a least one of these abilities. There are some areas that are in the fore-front, always seen. There are other areas that are behind the scenes yet very much needed, appreciated and recognized by God. Number 1: There must be sharing of the WORK: The key word here is HELPING. To paraphrase President Kennedy: "Ask not what your church can do for you; ask rather what you can do for your church."

The needs are everywhere. The greatest need is for people to step-up and faithfully, that is faithfully, give of their TIME and TALENT. The ideal bridge distributes the load evenly over the entire structure. When a train crosses that bridge, every piece bears its own share of the strain. The ideal church spreads the work around so as the saying goes, “many hands make light work.” Do we need help here? We certainly do in Junior Church, Hospitality, office work, cleaning, C-Club, facilities maintenance, and telephoning. You name it; we need it! There is a great need for many of the 80% to increase the 20%!

Remember, “This is not "your church" or "my church" nor "their church" but "our church!" During this year, the challenge is for us all to bear the load and make it “our church!” Number 2: There must be giving of the TITHE: The key word here is GIVING. The tithe is God’s required RENT money for living on this earth. There are two passages that come to mind, one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament.

In Malachi 3:8-10we read, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

In 2 Corinthians 16:1-2 we read, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. (2) Upon the first day of Page 4 the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” Do you realize if all God’s people would take the promise of God (found in Malachi 3) to heart and TITHE not only would the church be funded, but there would be such a blessing you could not contain it. To believe this is to practice it. You are not asked to tithe so the church can get your money, but so God can get you! He wants the opportunity of blessing and using you. He wants you to have the joy of a surrendered will. If we are to enjoy the prospects of “The Perfect Church” we must have a church with a HEART as well as a church with a HAND. THIRD: It must be a church with a HEAD: Here I call your attention to two areas. Number 1: A church with a HEAD expresses WISDOM. The key word here is DISCERNMENT. In Ephesians 4:14-15 we read,

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

We have an obligation to know the men and movements of our day; the heresies and heretics. Protection against giving to or supporting false prophets and charismatic leaders is provided by a preacher who keeps on top of heresies.

An article in TIME magazine gave the budgets for the Televangelists, mega-churches, etc. as being in the millions of dollars. Yet these same ministries preach doctrinal heresy and the leaders are corrupted by immorality, divorce, financial impropriety, etc. Wisdom comes from knowing God's Word. Discernment comes from prayer and the practice of God's will. Number 2: A church with a HEAD expresses LOYALTY. The key word here is DEDICATION. If every member is loyal to this ministry, faithful to its services, dedicated to its teaching and convictions, we will not be able to hold the crowds, every debt will be paid, every need supplied, every position filled, every door knocked-on and the mission fields will be fully populated. The loyal member encourages the Pastor, strengthens the ministry, and gives power to its witness. Think about two different members. The one is faithful and dedicated, the other unfaithful and disloyal. There is a 3rd man groping in sin. Which member will be most likely to influence him to Christ? You have no power or influence towards God and godliness if you are not loyal, faithful and dedicated. As we think about the Green Street Baptist Chapel, and our part in this church, let me call your attention to Acts 11:25-26.

“Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: (26) And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

Again notice the last phrase of verse 26, "And the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." It was at Antioch that the name "Christian" was first applied to the disciples of Jesus Christ. Today the word Christian is a very loosely used word. Many people who have never been born again consider themselves "Christians" simply because they say they are not "pagans." After all, they may belong to a church, attend services somewhat regularly, and even occasionally give to the work of the church! But it takes more than that for a sinner to become a child of God. It takes faith in Jesus Christ. I would say it's a wonderful blessing to be called a Christian, meaning one who is "Christ-like." I would say it is a wonderful blessing to be a part of the Family of God:

To know that God is our Heavenly Father, To know that Christ is our Redeemer and Sustainer, and To know that the Holy Spirit lives inside us to comfort and guide us. It's a wonderful blessing to be called a Christian, AMEN! You and I ought to be PROUD of that NAME. I believe the Holy Spirit of God teaches us that we ought to be careful not to hurt the Lord's name. The biggest blight on Christianity today is the hypocrisy of so many Christians. It ought to matter how we live.

We represent the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and GLORIFY your Father, who is in Heaven." I understand the word "Glorify" here means a "Good Name" and we ought to so live that we give our Heavenly Father a good name. My friends, we live in a very anti-Christian society. Today the church as we know it is under attack both externally as well as internally. Satan’s desire is to destroy the church of the living God.

Externally around the world the church is being persecuted in greater numbers than in all the history of the church for these past 1900 years. Christians are being murdered and places of worship and other Christian religious intuitions are being destroyed.

Externally in America our government and the liberal society is seeking to dismantle the church piece by piece. Make no mistake about it; our current government both in Washington and in our State Houses is no friend of freedom of religion. Nor are they interested in Bible truth or the family. Why? Because the church and the teaching of the Word of God is the last bastion to insure the Constitutional freedom we have enjoyed these last 200 plus years in America.

Internally the church is being dismantled by the believers that are a part of those churches through APATHY, UNFATIHFULNESS and DISUNITY brought about by fighting among ourselves. Humanism has so invaded our society that it has over-taken us and we are simply reaping what we have been sowing for these past 40 years. Therefore, it seems like the Bible believing, Christ honoring people are discriminated against more than anybody in America.

People are laughing at our God. People are criticizing our Bible. People are denouncing our Christianity. We will not quiet them behind these walls through our preaching, or through our beautiful music, or the way we conduct our services. But they sure will notice Page 6 how we live on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It ought to mean something to be a Christian. Now YOU and only YOU can help this church to be close to the ideal or closer to "The Perfect Church." If we strive to have a church with a heart, hand and head dedicated to Him, we will be moving in the right direction. *********************************************************************** If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon “The Perfect Church” right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you.

Do you have the assurance that one day you will go to heaven? If you have no assurance that you know Jesus Christ, then I trust you will decide to accept Him as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us in

Acts 16:31, “...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...” Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

This prayer is here for those who need to ask Jesus to be their personal Savior: “I do want to go to Heaven. I know I am a sinner, and I do believe Jesus Christ died for me. I realize I cannot buy this great salvation, nor can I earn it. Knowing Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave to pay my sin debt and to purchase my salvation, I do now trust Him as my Savior, and from this moment on I am completely depending on Him for my salvation.”

If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, please let me know. Please send an e-mail to [email protected] and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life.

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