“The Purpose and Mission of the Church”, Part 2
The Rev. Louis B. Tiscione
“Being what our purpose is”
Review:
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The purpose of the church is to be holy.
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The basic meaning of holiness is uniqueness.
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The church of Jesus Christ is a body set apart (unique) for Him.
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Purpose is a statement of being rather than doing.
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In order to be anything, there must be a target or goal.
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The church’s goal, target is given to it. Believers are to be like Christ.
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Ephesians 5:1, “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
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Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him
who is the head, even Christ.”
“Putting our goal in practical terms”
1Timothy 1:5, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience
and a sincere faith.”
- Paul told Timothy that his target was love.
- Love, agape is expressed.
- Agape is sacrificial love.
- “our instruction” = our command or orders
- “the goal” = the aim or target (telos)
- Love proceeds, comes out of (ek):
- Pure heart, katharas kardias, a clean heart, one that’s been changed
- Good conscience, suneideseos agathes, thoughts “held captive to the obedience of Christ” 2Cor. 10:5
- Sincere faith, pisteos anapokritou, a genuine faith, true saving faith, defined as:
i. Knowledge
ii. Assent/agreement
iii. Trust
- Implications from the text…
- God’s purpose given to Paul and Timothy was for them to aim at Love.
- By direct implication, God’s purpose for every pastor is to aim at Love.
- God is love and His people are to imitate Him.
- His people, Christians have been made new creations by Him.
- As this target is aimed at, those shooting are being set apart are being made holy.
- Christians are to be controlled by the love of Christ, 2Cor. 5:14.
- Christians are to “grow up” in Christ, Eph. 4:15.
- General application principle: The Church’s purpose is to be holy. Each member is to pursue holiness. The pursuit of holiness requires knowing Christ.
v Therefore, a holy church is a teaching church.
v Discussion Question, What are you learning in the church?
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