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THE PEOPLE OF THE CHURCHI PETER 2:9-12Jesus began his earthly life as a builder in the carpenter’s shop. He continues as a builder as He builds His church. His church is not a building of brick, stone, wood, or steel. This church which Jesus is building is composed of people .... living stones who are erected into a spiritual temple. His church is made of believers who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. These believers have openly proclaimed their faith in Christ and been baptized. Jesus wants His church to be people who are listening to Him, learning from Him, and loving for Him. Jesus wants His people to be a worshiping people, acknowledging their dependence upon Him. Jesus wants His people to be a praying people, not only talking to God, but listening when God talks to them. Jesus wants His people to be a sharing people, who give graciously because they have received from His gracious hand. Jesus wants His people to be serving people. He set the example as a servant to others. Jesus wants His people to be a caring people. Concern for others is an identifying mark of the true church of Jesus Christ. Who are these people Jesus calls His church? Jews - “He came unto His own and His own received Him not...” (Jn 1:11). Gentiles, Samaritans, fishermen, tax collectors, religious leaders, sinful outcasts, all of which the Bible refers to after their faith in Christ as “people of God.” The tragedy of this day is that people have their name on a church roll, but are not a “lively stone” in Christ’s church. They are unconverted church members. Three things call for our attention as we consider the People of the Church. The people of the church must have: I. A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHRIST“Then they that gladly received His word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls.” Acts 2:41 “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.” Acts 5:14. Religion and religious activity is not what we are talking about.
1. Consider Saul of Tarsus - religious but lost.
B. The Master. “The same came to Jesus by night...Rabbi” (Jn 3:2) Rabbi = Master C. The Miracle II. A VISIBLE IDENTIFICATION WITH CHRISTPeople sometimes say, “I’m saved, but I don’t belong to any church.” They seem to think that makes them some special, spiritual giant. It is impossible to read the New Testament without seeing the importance of identification with a local church. There is to be a wonderful bond between Christ and the people of His church, and likewise the same bond between the people IN HIS church. There is:
b. The bond of a common faith in one Lord. c. The bond of the indwelling Holy Spirit. d. The bond of one central purpose. e. The bond of one great energy - Satan. f. The bond of the same sustaining hope. g. The bond of one desire - pleasing Him. Christ has established that visible identification with Him through Baptism.
b. Baptism follows conversion. Infant baptism is no where to be found in the Bible. Not until they had testified concerning their belief in Christ were the New Testament believers baptized. c. Baptism is administered by authority of the local church. Baptism is an outward identification of an inward experience. III. INWARD DEDICATION TO CHRISTConsider Christ for a moment:
b. Christ is Lord of the church. He is the head. He is to be in authority. c. Christ nourishes the church. d. Christ cleanses the church. e. Christ protects the church. We also ought to love, nourish, and protect the church. There should be a dedication to Christ that is unequaled in any other area of our lives. In conclusion, the people of the church are people from all walks of life, who have had a personal experience with Christ, have an outward and visible identification with Christ, and an inward dedication to Christ. It’s amazing what God will do through a church with people who don’t care who gets the credit. Ernest M. Lundy, Evangelist (#2 in a series of 7) |