Looking for the Perfect Church
by Richard C. Sims, Jr
Intro: I am looking for the "perfect" church. Impossible you say! We have a "perfect law of liberty" James 1:25, so why not a perfect church?
The perfect church is one that:
I. Recognizes the headship of Christ, Eph. 1:22-23.
A. He has all authority in heaven and on earth, Matt. 28:18.
1. He is head over the church, which is His body, Eph. 1:20-23
2. King over His kingdom, Col. 1:13
3. Owner of the church, Acts 20:28
4. Husband to the bride, Eph 5:23-30.
5. He is the good shepherd to the sheep, John 10:14
B. The church and those of us in the Lord's church are:
1. Members of the body, 1 Cor. 12:27
2. Citizens in the kingdom, Col. 1:13.
3. Purchased possessions, 1 Cor. 6:20.
4. Part of the Bride and subject to the Groom, Eph. 5:24a.
5. Sheep in His fold, hear His voice and follow Him, John 10:27-29.
C. A church that recognizes the authority of the Scriptures, 2 Tim. 3:16,17.
1. Where members examine the Scriptures daily, Acts 17:11.
2. Speak as the utterances of God, 1 Pet. 4:11.
3. And heed the warning of Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
II. The perfect church is scriptural in organization, Eph. 4:11.
A. Christ as head, Eph. 1:22.
B. Apostles and prophets, Eph. 4:11, Luke 16:29.
C. Elders Phil. 1:1
1. Meet the qualifications, 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9.
2. Shepherd the flock, Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-3. (Nothing more, nothing less).
D. Deacons, 1 Tim. 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-6.
E. Evangelist, preach the gospel, 2 Tim 4:2-5
F. Members, saints Phil 1:1.
G. All members growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, 2 Pet. 3:18.
1. Increasing in the Christian virtues, 2 Pet. 1:5-11
2. Resisting the deeds of the flesh and developing the fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:19-24.
H. I recognize that a church can be Scripturally unorganized, but Scripturally organized is the ideal.
III. The perfect church worships in spirit and truth, John 4:24; Acts 2:42.
A. Apostle's teaching, 2 Tim. 4:2.
B. Fellowship, This word is used with reference to a "financial contribution" in Rom. 15:26; 2 Cor. 8:4, and may be what is referred to hear. See also Acts 4:34-35, 1 Cor. 16:1-2.
C. Breaking of Bread, Lord's Supper, Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11: 23-29.
D. Prayer, Eph. 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:17.
E. Singing, Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16.
IV. The perfect church is busy fulfilling it's God given mission, with the organization God
gave it.
A. Preaching the gospel to a lost and dieing world,
1. The church is the pillar and support of the truth, 1 Tim. 3:15.
2. At home and abroad, 1 Thess. 1:8.
B. Edifying it's members, Eph. 4:11-16.
C. Helping needy Christians at home and abroad, Acts 4:32-35; 6:1-4; 11:29-30; 1 Cor. 16:1;
2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1,12-13; Rom. 15:25-26,31.
V. In the perfect church everyone agrees, teaches the same things and there are no divisions, 1 Cor. 1:10.
A. Everyone has the self-sacrificing attitude of Christ, Phil. 2:1-8.
B. No one has a "hobby" or goes around with a chip on his shoulder, 1 Cor. 13:5.
C. When differences do arise brethren are "diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" Eph. 4:1-3 without compromising the truth.
VI. The perfect church has full financial support for it's local work, for evangelizing other areas and the limited benevolence we discussed earlier.
Conclusion: Tonight's lesson was to give you an idea of what I think the church should be. I have heard a lot of good things about this congregation and so far I like what I see. However, as long as the Lord's church is made up of imperfect members there will always be room for improvement. If your view of the perfect church is like mine, perhaps we can work together in "pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, Phil 3:14.
(Charts Below)
Looking for the Perfect Church
I. Recognizes the headship of Christ, Eph. 1:22
II. The perfect church is scriptural in organization, Eph. 4:11.
III. The perfect church worships in spirit and truth, John 4:24; Acts 2:42
IV. The perfect church is busy fulfilling it's God given mission, with the organization God gave it.
V. In the perfect church everyone agrees, teaches the same things and there are no divisions.
VI. The perfect church has full financial support for it's local work, for evangelizing other areas and the limited benevolence we discussed earlier.
Posted by David F. Sims, doing my part to "turn the world upside down" (Acts 17:6)
All quotes taken from the New American Standard Bible.
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