(Romans 9:1-5) I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Paul goes on through Chapter 9 about the nation of Israel and the Jews. How that not all Israel is Israel. He explains again as he did in Chapter 4 how that the seed of Abraham are not necessarily the children of the flesh, but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. He says in verse 33 (Romans 9:33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. And in Chapter 11 he says (Romans 11:11) I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles. I want to say this: Praise God! Salvation is come unto the Gentiles! The Jews, they stumbled at the stumblingstone; the rock of offence.
Of course, Jesus came and they didn’t know who he was. (Matthew 16:13-18) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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.
Peter said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said, That’s right. You got that right, Peter. Flesh and blood hath not revealed it, but my Father which is in heaven. And this is the rock that I’m gonna build my church upon. Jesus is the rock. And the Jews stumbled at the rock; the stumblingstone; the rock of offence. They didn’t see what Peter saw. They were blind, walking in darkness, and when the rock came into their path, they stumbled. Peter said to the Jews on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:22-23) Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: They stumbled at the stumblingstone. God sent them a King and they crucified their King. (Romans 9:33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: And boy did they stumble, but the bible goes on to say and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 11:11) Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles.
The same rock they stumbled at, the Christ, the Son of the living God, is the same rock that Jesus said I will build my church. (Matthew 21:42) Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? I want to preach a little while this morning on the marvellous church of Christ. I want to preach on the greatest thing on earth since (Genesis 2:1) Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. I’m preaching on the greatest thing on earth since this world began. I’m preaching on the church.
What is this the church? What is this the most glorious, beautiful, and wonderful thing on earth. It’s holy, protected, loved, and blessed! It’s the church! What is this the strongest, most powerful and exalted thing on earth? It’s the church! What is this that will endure to the end? It’s the church! What is this that the flames of hell cannot touch? It’s the church! What is this that is saved from the wrath to come? What is this that can touch the throne of heaven? What is this that even God walks in the midst? I’m preaching on the greatest thing on earth since the foundation of the world. I’m preaching on the marvellous church of Christ!
I’m glad I’m part of the church! I’m part of the most amazing group of people that have ever walked this good earth. I’m glad I’m in the church. The wonderful Lord Jesus Christ is the captain. The sweet Holy Spirit is our guide. The Heavenly Father is our provider. We are on the greatest journey ever to be trod. We’ve got the greatest book that man could read. We’re going to the greatest place ever made. We’ve got the greatest news to ever come across mortal ear; the gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We’ve got the greatest doctrine to learn and to teach. We’re loved with an everlasting love. We get to sing the greatest songs; The Old Rugged Cross, There is a Fountain Filled With Blood, My Jesus I Love Thee, He Leadeth Me. I’m glad I’m part of the church.
You say, How did you get in this church? Let me go back to the text. Paul was in great sorrow He said (Romans 9:1-5) I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: If you read on to Chapter 10, he explains it real good (Romans 10:1) Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. How did you get in this church? I got saved. I got marvellously gloriously saved! I’m preaching this morning on the marvellous church of Christ.
I know Romans Chapter 9 is not really about the church. But what I want us to see is that Paul is so completely and utterly removed from his kinsmen according to the flesh, the Israelites. Paul had undergone such a dramatic change in his life since his experience on the Damascus Road where he met the Lord Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:13-16) For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen.. If you have been saved by the grace of God, you have been called out of this world. You have been separated from the lost, hell-bound, ungodly mass of sinners that you were once part of. When God opens your eyes to the truth of your condition, it’s only natural to feel as Paul feels: (Romans 10:1) Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. His desire was for his kinsmen to know what he now knows, to see what he now sees, to be part of what he is now part of, the marvellous church of Christ. So what is in my heart at the present time is to cover some of the doctrine of the church.
I had five points, but it became clear that I was only going to cover one because that one had four sub-points. Any lecture or message or study in the bible concerning the church will take you to Peter’s confession in Matthew 16, so let’s start there. So my first and only point:
#1 The Building
(Matthew 16:18-19) 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. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The Petra (Rock) of the Church
What is the church? What is this that Christ so ardently promised that he would build? He said I will build my church. Listen, we’re part of something that man did not build. Man did not conceive it. Man did not design it. No, in fact, man has done everything it can to destroy it and to persecute it and to waste it. But despite all of man’s efforts, Jesus said I will build my church. (John 1:11-13) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
I think it’s good to cover these things. That is really what is in my heart. I’ve come to the hard conclusion that basic church doctrine will get the job done. (Matthew 28:18-20) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. He said all power is given unto me. If we want the power of God on us, we’re gonna have to teach, and learn, and observe some things. And I don’t know of any other thing that will give you peace and joy and contentment than to line up with the Word of God; learn something about the things of God. And basic church doctrine will get the job done.
And the church is not built by man, not built by blood, no built by the will of the flesh. No, not by the will of man, but of God. The church is comprised of born-again believers. Amen? You’ve got to be birthed into the family of God. This past Thursday Carina Grace got born into the family of God. She got saved at the Spring Meeting over there at Concord. This is what she said, and I can’t get over this. I can read it over and over. I don’t know if I could explain getting saved any better than this: She said this: “I thought I’d slip between his fingers, And when I let go, I got saved!” Amen! Patty told me she kept saying that she was afraid, she was afraid. Countless people came by and prayed with her and for her and encouraged her. And finally after about an hour, she lifted up her head and cried, “I’m letting go! I’m letting go!” Praise God. She cast herself on the mercy of God and got born again. She found out that Jesus was serious when he said (John 6:37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: I’ll tell you what Carina did. She believed on his name, Amen? The bible says (Romans 9:33) Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Acts 16:31) Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..
The Lord Jesus Christ is the rock; the stumblingstone of Sion; the rock of offence; but He’s the rock of our salvation. He is the Rock, the Petra of the church! (Ephesians 2:20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (1 Corinthians 3:11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. The marvellous church of God is built upon the Rock. And God the Son is working overtime to build His church; saving sinners one by one, Convincing men of sin, revealing Jesus through the Word, Creating faith in him! He said I will build my church. Bless the Lord! What is this that Christ is building? Jesus is the petra (the rock) of the church.
I’m glad I’m part of what Jesus is building. The Petra of the Church. This building has got the surest foundation. (Luke 6:47-48) Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. The bible says that Abraham (Hebrews 11:9-10) By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Jesus is the builder and maker of this, the church; the craftsman, the workman.
(Ephesians 2:8-10) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus… Christ is building his church one soul at a time. Each one that is added is a sinner saved by grace. (Acts 2:47) And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. The church is comprised of a saved membership; regenerated, born-again, blood-washed believers, those that have put their faith in trust in the rock; the Petra of the church, Jesus Christ.
The Perseverance of the Church
I want us to also see in Matthew 16, Peter’s confession the Perseverance of the church. (Colossians 1:16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Jesus, God the Son, is the creator (John 1:1-3) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Jesus is the creator. (John 1:10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. Jesus created the heavens and the earth. (Psalm 19:1) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Amen. Jesus, God the Son, is the creator of heaven and earth.
But then we read in Revelation (Revelation 21:1) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. I want you to understand this: The first heaven and the first earth were for the first creation. But the new heaven and the new earth are for the new creation. Do you remember in Romans Chapter 8 when Paul was talking about the creature?
(Romans 8:19-22) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Three times, he refers to the individual creature, but then he lumps them all together as a whole and says the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. The creature is the individual, but you put them together and you have creation. Can I say this: The new heaven and the new earth are for the new creation. And the new creation is the church. It’s the church! (I’m going backwards in my logic now) And the new creation is comprised of new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Amen! You put all these new creatures together and what do you have? The new creation. The church. The new heaven and the new earth and the new Jerusalem are for the new creation. It’s for the church! Eternity belongs to the church! (Galatians 6:15) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. It doesn’t matter if you are a Jew. It doesn’t matter if you are not a Jew. The only thing that matters is a new creature. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Have you been made a new creature in Christ?
Jesus said I will build my church. The church is the most marvellous thing that Christ has created since (Genesis 2:1) Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. The old heaven and the old earth and the old creation will pass away. Hell has got a hold on all of it.
(2 Peter 3:10-12) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
There’s only thing that will not be touched by hell fire and will make it to the other side of the lake of fire into Revelation Chapter 21 where John saw the new heaven and the new earth… Only one thing. And that’s the new creation, the church of God. He said upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. What is this that Jesus Christ is building? What is this that the gates of hell shall not prevail against? It’s the church; the persevering marvellous church of Christ!
Now don’t get too excited. You’re only going to live as long as Jesus lives. Oh No! Revelation Chapter 20 is not the end of the road for us. Our story doesn’t end at the lake of fire. It goes on and on and on and on. While the ages roll, I’ll keep on praising him! Hey, that’s our reality. This old body and this old world? It’s only temporary. Don’t get too comfortable down here. We’re moving on. This church is on the move. The old gospel ship of Zion is sailing on. It’s pulling out of this place. I’m glad I got on board. We are sailing right over Revelation Chapter 20:11-15 into Chapter 21. Bless the Lord! The church shall persevere!
The Possession of the Church
The perseverance of the church. The petra of the church. I want us to see also the possession of the church. Now if you go to Revelation Chapter 21. That’s the last two chapters of your bible. Verse 1 reads (Revelation 21:1) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. And like I said, there’s only one thing that’s going to make it past that verse and that’s the church. Verse 2 says this: Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Then John said that one of those angels came up to him and talked with him and said (Revelation 21:9) Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
Jesus said to Peter that upon this rock I will build my church. Jesus is the Lamb, and the church is the bride; the Lamb’s wife. The church belongs to the Lamb. That is the possession of the church. It’s his church. John said (Revelation 21:10-11) And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 Having the glory of God… Jesus said (John 14:2-3) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
The holy city, new Jerusalem, is going to be that prepared place. John got a glimpse of that place. What did you see John? He said (Revelation 21:22-24) I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it… He said I saw the nations of them which are saved. He said I saw the Christ and his church; the husbandman and his bride; the Lamb and his wife.
John the Baptist said (John 1:29) Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Jesus said (Revelation 1:18) I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen… The Lamb is alive, amen? And so is his wife. Paul said this (Romans 7:4) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Bless the Lord! We are married to Christ! But before Paul said that, he said this (Romans 7:1-2) Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. We are bound to Christ as long as Christ liveth. Christ has conquered death, so we will never, no never, no never be loosed from the Jesus Christ, the love of our life.
(Song of Solomon 2:16) My beloved is mine, and I am his… (Song of Solomon 7:10) I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me. You better believe it. Jesus loves his bride. (Ephesians 5:25-27) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Song of Solomon 4:7) Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.
We are his bride! We are his wife! We are his possession! He said I am going to build my church. I belong to Christ. I don’t belong to the devil. I don’t belong to this world. This world is not my home. I’m just passing through. My affections are elsewhere. I tell you. John said (1 John 4:19) We love him, because he first loved us. (Revelation 1:5) Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. He gave himself for the church. He loved the church. He washed the church from our sins in his own blood. Christ loves his bride. Christ loves the church. (1 Peter 1:18-19) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
You think about this. This is in the word of God for us to understand how Jesus, our husbandman, loves the church, his bride. He said (Song of Solomon 4:9) Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. Thou hast ravished my heart! I don’t understand the love of God. Why and how he would love a sinner? I tell you, I’ll never deserve the love of Christ. God owes me nothing. But he gives me everything. I’ll never forget the day Christ visited me. I never knew the darkness and blackness of my heart. I never knew how much I needed God. I was a filthy vile wretched sinner. I was lost. I was guilty before God. I was condemned and I had no hope. But somehow through all that darkness, the glorious love of Christ shone through. He loves his bride. He loves the church.
Oh glorious love of Christ my Lord Divine,
That made Him stoop to save a soul like mine;
Through all my days and then in Heaven above,
My song will silence never, I’ll worship him forever,
And praise Him for His glorious love.
Ephesians goes on to say (Ephesians 5:28-32) So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Even as the Lord the church is what Paul says to the Ephesians. Even as Christ nourisheth and cherisheth the church. I’m telling you, I’m glad I’m part of the church. I’m glad I’m bound to the Lord Jesus Christ, or as Paul says I’m joined unto Christ. I’m glad I’m part of his body. He says we’re members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. He said that they two shall be one flesh. What two? He said This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Christ and the church shall be one flesh. We are his bride; his body. Christ and the church. Christ and the church. It’s Christ and the church. The husband and his bride. The Lamb and his wife.
You just cannot separate us. (Romans 8:38-39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Christ loves his church. He nourisheth and cherishith his church. I am glad I am Christ’s possession. I’m glad I’m in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Power of the Church
We’ve seen the petra, the perseverance, and the possession of the church. Now I want us to see the power of the church. Matthew 16 goes on to say And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. What is this that has the keys of heaven, and has power to bind and loose things in heaven and earth? The church. This is some serious stuff here. The keys to heaven, and the power to bind and loose things in heaven and earth. The marvellous church of God.
Jesus says this again in Matthew 18 (Matthew 18:18) Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Notice this time it’s plural. In 16 it’s whatsoever thou shalt bind and thou shalt loose. He was talking to Peter. Well, now in Chapter 18, it’s ye. That’s plural. He’s talking to his disciples, the charter members of the First Baptist Church of Jerusalem, Amen? Jesus said in Matthew 18 to teach them all things whatsoever I have commanded you, Amen? So this is church doctrine. (John 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Jesus said this twice unto them: Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. The church has got the keys to do that. I want to give you some of my own testimony here to show you how I understand this. I trust the Holy Ghost that what is said is what needs to be said. I trust that God would open our understanding to this matter of the church.
Do you know why I’m uprooting my family to go back to Georgia? Why I quit my great paying job? Why I relinquished my claim on the business? I was content to be part owner of the shop, but I let it go and gave it to my brother Danny. I told him It’s all yours! Why I’m selling my home and my 15 acres? Why I’m selling what other properties I got? I’m counting it all loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. But do you know that the reason why is this verse. Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The Holy Ghost, the teacher that God has put me under, would not let me get around this verse. When we went up there 11 years ago to go to school, we joined the Concord Baptist Church. We went up before the church and asked for membership. It was brought before the church, Preacher said It’s been moved and seconded that we receive these under the watchcare of the church. (Or something to that effect) And he said All in favor, say Aye. And all the church said Aye. I tell you that I’m still learning about all this, but I found out 11 years later that Whatsoever (the church) shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. God did not let me get around this verse. We’re going back up there because God hadn’t loosed us from there yet. The church hadn’t loosed us. We loosed ourselves.
Preacher Allen is always saying Stay tied up until God looses you. And he always talks about that little colt that carried Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus told the disciples to go into a village and there, you’ll find that colt tied up and they went and sure enough, there it was tied up. And the preacher says If that colt wouldn’t have stayed tied up, he would have missed the greatest blessing of carrying the Jesus the King into Jerusalem. Stay tied up until God looses you. I heard him say that many times, and heard other preachers quote him, and it went in one ear and out the other. But when Brother Stinnett Ballew began preaching Monday morning at the Thanksgiving Campmeeting on The Importance of the Church, the Holy Ghost made this verse abundantly clear to me.
That verse in Matthew 18 goes on to say (Matthew 18:19-20) That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. When Christ’s church assembles and agrees on earth with the Lord Jesus Christ there in the midst of them, the key is turned in heaven. His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. It’s a serious thing. God help us to take serious the assembling of ourselves, the marvellous church of God.
You know, the bible is clear that the individual believer is the temple of God. The Spirit of God dwells in you. We’ve covered all that numerous times. But the bible also teached that the church, the called out assembly, is also the dwelling place of God. (Ephesians 2:19-22) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. He says it’s all the building that fitly framed together and groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. He says you are builded together that you might be an habitation of God. The church is not a habitat for humanity; it’s a habitat for deity. It’s a serious thing when God’s people meet and assemble and worship and pray. (Psalm 22:3) But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
I’ve been trying to study that tabernacle in the wilderness. That tabernacle was the dwelling place of God. That’s were God would show up and meet with his people. It says in (Exodus 25:8) And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. All around that holy place, where the ark of the covenant was and the candlestick and the shewbread and all those things… All around there, the structure that held up the tent were 46 wooden boards covered in gold. These boards were fit together, side by side, all around that holy place to form the tabernacle of God. And it was there between the boards that God would make his habitation. (Ephesians 2:21-22) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The Power of the Church resides in the presence of God. (Ephesians 3:20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
Conclusion
He said I will build my church. I’m glad I’m part of the church.
- We’ve got the surest foundation ever laid. The Petra of the Church.
- We’ve got the brightest future in all eternity. The Perseverance of the Church.
- We’ve got the closest friend in heaven and earth. We’re his bride, his wife. The Possession of the Church.
- We’ve got the most glorious privilege and responsibility. The Power of the Church.
It’s a wonderful thing to be part of the church! No one can lay anything to the charge of the church. Nothing can compete with us for the affections of our beloved Christ. There’s no other organization, or group, or status, or privilege that can compare with the marvellous church of Christ. Only the church can do all things through Christ. Only the church can save others with fear pulling them from the fire. Only the church has a high priest that can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities. Only the church does the Holy Spirit intercede for. Only the church is Jesus at the right hand of God interceding for. Death has lost it’s sting on the church. The grave has no victory over the church. Sin has no dominion over the church. Only the church will tread the street of gold. Only the church will eat from the tree of life. Only the church will gather and drink by the pure river of water of life.
What is this that Christ is building but the church? The glorious, beautiful, spotless, marvellous church of Christ. I’m glad I’m part of the church. If you want to glorify God in your life… I mean if you really want your life to count for Christ, there’s only one way to do it. And that’s in the church. (Ephesians 3:21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages… In the church!
Paul said this. (Romans 9:1-5) I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: (Romans 10:1) Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. Paul is saying I wish and pray that my kinsmen according to the flesh… I wish they were part of this marvellous church that God has made me part. Are you part of the church? Are you saved? There is one way to know. I’ve heard it the preacher say I can tell you in two seconds if you’re saved or lost. Do you love the brethren? (1 John 3:14) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Do you love the brethren; the marvellous church of Christ? Don’t stumble at the stumblingstone. Whosoever believeth on his shall not be ashamed.
And if you are saved… If you are part of Christ’s church, then have you sold out to it. I’m gonna give everything I’ve got to Christ and his church. Come hell or high water, I’m gonna go to church and worship God and serve God and the people of God with all that is within me. I’m gonna give it everything I’ve got. David said (Psalm 27:4) One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
I thought I was going to preach this back on 03/11/18 but never did.
The original outline had 5 points. Here are the last 4. #2 is redundant. Maybe we’ll get into those later. However, Romans 9 is pulling me elsewhere.
#1 The Building
#2 The Bride
#3 The Body
#4 The Baptized
#5 The Blessed
Preached at Calvary Baptist Church in Portland, Texas on 4/8/18
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