What Does a Church Do? - Part 2

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This is the fourth sermon in a series of messages about the church of Jesus. The first two sermons described what the church is. The previous sermon and this present sermon describe some of the things that the church does. This message focuses on two activities of the church; disciple-making and accountability.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

A few weeks ago I started doing a series of messages about the church of Jesus; sometimes called “The Body of Christ” in the NT. We are continuing the theme today with “part two” of the message: “What Does a Church Do?”

The last time we talked about the church doing worship and doing sacraments. I mentioned the last time that I was going to continue using the term “community” just to emphasize the fact that whatever the church does, it does as a body; a family; or a community. The very word “church” implies something other than an isolated, “Lone Ranger” mentality.

I’m discovering more and more that many people want the benefit of being forgiven for their sins by Jesus so they can go to heaven someday, but they don’t seem to realize that being forgiven and having a relationship with Jesus, means that we become a part of His “body,” which is the church. The Bible has a great deal to say about the things that the church does and it all includes cooperation within the body.

In the last sermon, I spoke about the church being a worshiping community and the church as a sacramental community. With the Lord’s help, I want to speak to you today about two more tasks that the church of Jesus does. 

III.       The church is a discipling community.

Matthew 28:19 ^(NKJV) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you….

Main verb of the passage is the word “go.” (lit. going) i.e, going, make disciples… baptize… teach.

The original disciples were to go teach and make more disciples, who would go and make disciples, who would go and make disciples, etc. Other than worship, this is probably the main job of the church – make disciples. Jesus expected His disciples to duplicate themselves by teaching and training others in the same way He had done with them. 

Disciple-making is much more than leading someone to put their faith in Christ for salvation. Jesus did not say, “Go make converts.” He didn’t say, “Go help people to know me.” Teach/train others about what all is involved with being a follower of Jesus. It is much more than simply asking for His forgiveness and believing His death on the cross was for my salvation.

(The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) [Disciple] always means the pupil of someone, in contrast to the master or teacher (διδάσκαλος, didáskalos)... In all cases it implies that the person not only accepts the views of the teacher, but that he is also in practice an adherent. 

What is involved with being a disciple?

A. No competing affections

Jesus comes first in a disciple’s affection, devotion and allegiance.

Luke 14:26-27 ^(NKJV) "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷ And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

A true disciple cannot afford to allow anyone, or anything get between him and his Lord.

B. Diligent study of the Word

John 8:31 ^(NKJV) Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

C. Love like Jesus did.

John 13:35 ^(NKJV) By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 

D. Produce fruit as the evidence of discipleship.

John 15:8 ^(NKJV) By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 

Not only did the original 12 disciples understand that their job was to make more disciples, but later disciples did also (e.g. Paul).

Acts 14:21 ^(NKJV) And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,

(The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) The disciple of Christ today may be described in the words of Farrar, as "one who believes His doctrines, rests upon His sacrifice, imbibes His spirit, and imitates His example."

Jesus is not merely interested in you and I believing in Him for salvation from sin and from hell. He is also passionately interested in us becoming faithful disciples and helping other people become faithful disciples.

The church is a disciple-making community.

IV.       The church is an accountability community.

Another word that is very closely associated with the word disciple is the word, “discipline.” It certainly takes self-discipline to be a true disciple and keep our focus on the Lord. It takes discipline to study His teachings and put them into practice. It also takes discipline that is applied by fellow disciples. The NT teaches that believers in the body of Christ are to look out for one another and exhort one another. They are not only to provide instruction, but also correction.

We live in a time and a place where people are not usually very open to receiving discipline and correction from their brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Everyone wants to be a law unto themselves and refuse to let anyone else “tell them what to do.” However, the NT gives no room for that kind of independent spirit and living in an isolated, self-determining way.

I’m going to read a sampling of NT passages that relate to the matter of discipline and accountability, then I’ll make a few observations about them in general.

Matthew 18:17 ^(NKJV) And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

Romans 16:17-18 ^(NKJV) Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. ¹⁸ For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 ^(NKJV) But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person. ¹² For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? ¹³ But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person."

2 Corinthians 2:6-7 ^(NKJV) This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, ⁷ so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.

Galatians 6:1 ^(NKJV) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ^(NKJV) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15 ^{(NKJV) 6} But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. ¹⁴ And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

1 Timothy 5:20 ^(NKJV) Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

2 Timothy 4:2 ^(NKJV) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Titus 3:10 ^(NKJV) Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,

Principles for administering discipline within the body.
·         All discipline and correction must be done in a humble spirit.
·         It must be given with firmness, yet with an abundance of grace.
   ▪   Remembering our own vulnerability
   ▪   Remembering that we don’t know what background baggage the individual may be carrying
·         All correction must be done with the motivation of restoration, not for revenge.
·         Pastors/ overseers should not use the pulpit as a “whipping post.”

Conclusion:

There have been a number of scandals and abuses that have occurred in the church at large over the years. These might have been avoided if there had been a greater effort to exercise accountability and discipline in the church.

There have been a host of church members through the years who never reached the level of maturity in the faith that they could have and should have because they wouldn’t voluntarily submit to appropriate correction from church leaders or their fellow believers.

Membership Covenant (Copied from our church by-laws)

Having received the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We intend, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to pray for, respect and support the pastor and church leaders; to promote the prosperity and spirituality of this church; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and to cheerfully and regularly contribute financial support for the various expenses and ministries of the church.

We also intend to maintain family and personal spiritual formation through the study of and conformity to the Word of God; to seek the salvation and spiritual growth of the lost; to live godly in the world; to be just in all our dealings, faithful to our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid harmful attitudes, speech and actions in all personal, public and church relationships; to abstain from all evil associations and amusements; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.

We further intend to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready to secure reconciliation without delay.

I believe every part of this covenant describes the content of the NT relating to the duties of Christians to one another. Part of it involves nurture, some includes instruction, and some involves correction; but all of it is the expression of genuine love for one another that refuses to sit by and let others “fall through the cracks” for lack of appropriate concern and care.

When we follow the Lord’s command to make disciples and take care of each other, we really are demonstrating our love for Jesus Himself. I really think it is impossible to love Jesus without loving His church.

For our closing song today I’ve chosen a hymn that truly is a prayer: More Love to Thee, Oh Christ.