To be in the family of God - the Church

Introduction: Video presentation: What is the church

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifnJtkAnBq4

21st Century definition and concept of “church"

A. For Protestant/Evangelical Christian : It is the Universal body of Christ, the "called out" ones.
B. For Legal purposes : It is a denomination, sect or religious organization who had their own
beliefs, forms of worship, dogma, rituals and organizational structure.
C. For outsiders or non believers : It is a building, an edifice, a place of worship and a regular
venue with a recognized leader (pastors, minister, priest rabbi etc.)
D. For Individual Pastor or church planter : official list of members, a name, a regular worship
service or fellowship, regular venue, regular collection and a good music ministry.

- We need to understand the word “church"

“CHURCH"

- The first passage where the 1769 edition of king James' bible has the word "church", is verse
18 in chapter 16 of the book of Matthew:

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (KJV-1769)

- Many connect the word "church" intimately with Matthew 16:18, and think that Jesus spoke
about the formation of a religious organization, a "church". But often, things are not what they
seem to be, or what they are commonly thought to be.
-
The word "church" is not the equivalent translation of the greek word "ekklesia" but
rather "assembly or congregation"

Ekklesia is the Assembly of Believers

- In the Greek text of the book of Acts, the Epistles and the book of Revelation, the noun
ekklêsia is often used of the saints' fellowships, but when it comes to Matthew 16:18, it is
clear that ekklêsia is to be understood in its literal meaning "assembly".

- The story begins in Matthew 16:13. The subject is neither a "church" nor Peter the apostle but
Jesus himself, the question being, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" and also,
"But who do you say that I am?”

Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his
disciples, saying, ”Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 They said, "Some say
John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15 He said to
them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, Son of
the living God." 17 Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and
 blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 I also tell you that you
are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church (assembly), and the gates of Hades will
not prevail against it.

- What Jesus really meant when he said…

"I will build my Church (assembly),”

the word “Build” in greek is “Oikodomeo” which means “House builder” or “build together"

- Build together means to put together.

- Build here is not something you construct but to gather and put together.
- Kaya the true meaning is to gather together. that is why we call it “fellowship"
- Nagsama sama tayong mga disciples niya.

- The word Ekklesia is..

Church in greek is “Ekklesia" means “Assembly of Called out ones”

Therefore the phrase

“I will build my Church”
would mean

“I will gather together my called out ones and become an assembly of discipes"

- out of this phrase we can understand what is Jesus really meant when he said “I will build my
church”
- We need to point out and understand what t means to be part of the assembly of the called
out ones.
- Dito natin mauunawaan what it means to be a part of the assembly, or maging part ng
“church”
- Our calling is to be part of this family the church of God.

“We are called to be a family of God”

Galatians 6:10 NIV

[10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who
belong to the family of believers.

- Assembly is not only about a gathering of people, but making this group of people the family
of God.
- We are all born of God, the children of God. Why because God wants a family! He wants us
to be his children.
 John 1:12-13 NIV
[12] Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God--- [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a
husband's will, but born of God.

- The church is the family of God and he wants us to be belong to his family
- CHRISTIANITY IS AS MUCH ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS AS IT IS
ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH

We are called to be Holy

Romans 1:7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace
and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

- Ito ang pinagkaiba natin sa ano mang organisation or institution sa mundong ito, Holiness!
- We are called to become holy family of God.
- Holiness is being consecrated or sanctified for God.
- The family of God is our place where we can consecrate ourselves and walk with God.
- Sanctified is to be separated for God’s purposes.
- We are not here to be perfect, but we are here to help one an other to walk with God fulflling
his purpose.
- That is why it is so important for this family to gather regularly.

Hebrews 10:25-27 NIV

[25] Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage
one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching. [26] If we deliberately keep on
sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, [27] but
only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

We are called to fulfill his purpose

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose.

- The reason Jesus called us is not only to be saved but to fulfill a specific purpose and mission
- Hindi ka nandito para umattend lang, me gagawin ka, me specific purpose ka, me mahalaga
kang papel sa church na to.
- The purpose of this church is to fulfill the great commission of Jesus.
- The church is God's way to save more people from sin, death and hell.
- So hindi lang dapat piro bonding, puro fellowship, puro paganda ng venue but to save more
people and make disciples of Jesus.

We are called to serve this family

 1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as
faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as
one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength
God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

- We are called to serve and not to be served.

- Lahat tayo me kanya kanyang gift, talent and skills na binigay ni Lord and it is not only for our
own use or para lang pagkakitaan kundi para makapagserve tayo specially sa church.
- Sa loob ng family lahat me function. Hindi puedeng yong isa puro laro lang ng computer or
tulog kain lang.
- Lahat me responsibility. Because this is not only a family to have fellowship but to fulfill a
purpose.

Challenge

When Jesus called us,

he wants us to part of this family God the Church!

This family of God have a calling to fulfill - to save and make disciples of Jesus!

We are a family to help one another to live a holy life and to serve one another!