“What is the Church?”

(Selected Passages)

Series: The Church [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

August 11, 2019

Introductory Comments:

If I were to ask you to describe First Baptist Church Bartow, where would you start? 

Some might say that it’s a large church in downtown Bartow. A lot of people ask me, “Is that the church by the city building?”

Perhaps you would describe it with traditional architecture with a modern ministry center built on. 

Maybe you’d describe it as having a young preacher with a certain style of worship. 

We’re going to learn today that those descriptors don’t really describe a church. They describe where the church meets, the style of the church’s worship, and more. 

So, what is the Church? That’s what we’ll be studying in today’s sermon. 

Before we do so, let’s go to the Lord in prayer. 

(prayer)

We’re starting a new topical series. We’re taking a short break from our verse-by-verse study from the book of Matthew. We will be doing a sermon series on the Church. Here are the questions which we will answer from the Word of God throughout the next few weeks: What is the Church? Who leads and serves the Church? What are the ordinances of the Church? Why should I be part of the Church?

This morning we will answer the question, “What is the Church?”

Well, first of all, the Greek word from which we get church is ekklēsia. This word occurs 114 times in the New Testament. Ekklēsia means “gathering,” “meeting,” or “assembly.”

So, literally speaking, a church is a gathering. Well, what kind of gathering? We’ll answer that question today. 

Let’s look at three aspects of the Church this morning to discover what the Church is. 

First, . . .

I. The Foundation of the Church [on screen]

Let me ask you this, who do you think is in charge of the Church?

Jesus is in charge of the Church! Listen as the Bible describes this.

First, the Church will be built upon Jesus and the confession that He is Messiah. I read this passage earlier in the service. Listen to what Jesus says about the foundation of the Church:

Matthew 16:17: “17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” [on screen]

Some say the rock here is Peter, but I disagree. Jesus is the rock!

The foundation is not Peter, the foundation is Jesus and the confession that He is the Messiah. Jesus is building the Church upon Himself!

Second, Jesus is also the head over everything for the Church. Listen to what Paul says in Ephesians. 

Ephesians 1:22-23: “22 And he (God) subjected everything under his feet and appointed him (Jesus) as head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. [on screen]

Jesus is the head of the Church! He’s in charge!

Third, we also hear Peter call Jesus the chief Shepherd. Listen to 1 Peter 5:4. 

1 Peter 5:4: 4 And when the chief Shepherd (Jesus) appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. [on screen]

Jesus is the chief Shepherd over all the Church! Pastors are shepherds but Jesus is the chief Shepherd. He’s in charge!

Fourth, again, in Ephesians, Paul speaks about the authority of Jesus, calling Him the cornerstone. Look at Ephesians 2. 

Ephesians 2:19-21: 19 So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. [on screen]

 

Jesus is the cornerstone, that is the most important stone in the building, which holds everything else in place. He’s in charge!

Jesus is in charge of the Church. He is the head, He is the chief shepherd, He is the cornerstone, He i