The Church is a Big Deal to Christ

David Sproule

“Well, that’s a typical preacher thing to say, isn’t it?  Of course, a preacher is going to say that the church is a BIG deal to Christ!  That’s what he’s supposed to say!”  I guess someone could respond that way, but let’s approach this strictly from the viewpoint of the Bible.  Let’s not give attention to what any ordinary man has said on this subject.  What do we need to know about the church from Jesus’ viewpoint?

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as it was His eternal plan!  The Bible tells us that “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4), God planned for Christ to come and redeem mankind (1 Pet. 1:18-20), and His church was “the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:9-11).  Now, that’s a BIG deal!

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as it was the subject of His preaching from beginning to end!  From the start of His ministry until the moment of His ascension into heaven, Jesus preached about His church (Matt. 4:17; 16:18-19).  He taught multiple parables about it (Matt. 13) and gave instructions on how to enter (John 3:3-5) and how to live in it (Matt. 18:4; 20:20-28).  During the 40 days between His resurrection and ascension, He was “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).  Now, that’s a BIG deal!

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as He paid the highest price imaginable to purchase it!  The church was not an afterthought for Christ and the payment for it was not a surprise.  The shedding of “the precious blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:19) was in the eternal plan of God, by which He “purchased” the church (Acts 20:28).   Now, that’s a BIG deal!

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as He devoted half of the New Testament to give instructions to His church!  The purpose statement of First Timothy could really summarize the purpose of the books of Acts through Revelation: “that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church” (1 Tim. 3:15).  Now, that’s a BIG deal!

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as He puts His saved safely inside of it!  The church is the saved (Eph. 5:23), and the saved are the church (Acts 2:47).  Jesus gave Himself to save the lost (Tit. 2:14), and when the lost are saved, He transfers them into “the kingdom” (Col. 1:13).  Now, that’s a BIG deal!

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as He is going to return one day to take only His church home to heaven!  When “the end” comes, He is going to deliver “the kingdom to God the Father” (1 Cor. 15:24). Now, that’s a BIG deal!

Question: Is the church a BIG deal to you?

Thank God That Jesus Has ALL Authority!

David Sproule

Have you ever played a pickup basketball game where every guy on the court thought that he was in charge?  Two things usually result: chaos and frustration.  What about in your workplace—what if every person there thought they were the boss?  Can you imagine (or maybe you don’t have to) the chaos and frustration that would erupt?

How easily we understand the need for authority, even if we don’t like it in every situation.  We need authority in the home, in our schools, in the workplace, on the playing field, on the highways, in the courtrooms, etc., etc.  MOST of all, we must have authority in the CHURCH!  What would happen if there was no clear authority (meaning, every person recognized the same person to be in charge) in the church?  Two things would easily result: chaos and frustration.  In addition to those, even more significantly, unbelief and rejection of the Lord and His truth would ensue.

Thank God that in HIS church the authority is very clear!  Our authority does not reside in apostles or in angels (Gal. 1:8).  It does not reside in any preachers or church councils (Gal. 1:9).  It does not reside in our opinions, personal beliefs or feelings in our hearts (Prov. 14:12; Judg. 21:25).  It does not reside in any church traditions (Matt. 15:1-13).  It does not reside in any church manuals or creeds (Rev. 22:18-19).  If authority resided in any of these (or others that could be added to the list), then the church would belong to man and be governed by his whims.  Result?  Chaos and frustration!

Thank God that Jesus Christ has ALL authority in and over His church!  The word “authority” means “the right to control or command, total authority and absolute power.”  Jesus uses that word in Matthew 28:18, where He proclaims, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”  Jesus alone has “the right to control or command” His church, for He alone has “absolute power.”  His Word is our authority in all things today—“Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you” (Acts 3:22).  It will be His word which “will judge” us all “in the last day” (John 12:48).

My responsibility is to submit to His authority, to respect His Word and to obey Him in all things.  I must not “think” beyond, “speak” beyond or “go” beyond that which He has given to me in His Word (1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 John 9-11; 1 Cor. 1:10).  I must not think myself so wise or conceited that I can “instruct” or “counsel” the Lord (Isa. 40:12-14; Rom. 11:33-36).  Jesus makes it very clear that I must “hear” His Word and then I must “do the will” of my God in heaven (Matt. 7:21-27).  My entrance into heaven is dependent upon respecting the authority of Christ and fully submitting to Him!

The Sovereignty Of God Over The Nations - Part 8

Wade Webster

In the course of this study, we have seen the sovereignty of God defined, declared, and displayed.  In the final installment of this study, we will see the sovereignty of God dismissed.    

Sovereignty Dismissed

Even though God’s sovereignty is clearly seen in the Scriptures, many dismiss it. They don’t want a sovereign God. They don’t want anyone to rule over them. Charles Spurgeon observed that many people are willing for God to be anywhere except on his throne. He can be in the hospital healing the sick. He can be in the prayer room answering prayers. He can be in the storehouse pouring out blessings. They just don’t want Him on the throne telling them how to live (Jeremiah 181-182). Someone else suggested that many want a jack in the box God. They want a God who pops out whenever they call Him but then goes back into the box until they need Him again (Evans 90). Consider a few examples from the pages of Scripture of those who dismissed the sovereign God of Scripture:

• “Yet they say to God, ‘Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?’” (Job 21:14-15).
• “Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ Therefore hear, you nations, And know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people—The fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not heeded My words Nor My law, but rejected it” (Jer. 6:16-19).
• “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;” (Romans 1:28).

In addition to not wanting God to rule over them, they want to rule over God. They want to tell God how to do things. Imagine someone coming into your house and telling you what is wrong with it. They don’t like the floor plan, the color of the walls, the furniture or how you have it arranged. What would you say? Probably, you would say something like this: When you start paying the mortgage, doing the maintenance, and buying the furniture, then you can have a say in how things are done (Evans 90-91).  Sadly, many have done this very thing with God. They walk into God’s house and start telling Him how things ought to be done when He built it and bought it. Because it belongs to Him, He has the right to order it as He sees fit. When we start creating planets and filling them with plants, animals and people, then maybe we can tell God how to do things.        

In this study, we have examined the sovereignty of God.  We have seen it defined, declared, displayed, and dismissed.  The sovereignty of God troubles the sinner.  It gives him a fearful expectancy of judgment (Heb. 10:27).  The sovereignty of God comforts the saint.  Knowing that God is on His throne gives us a peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:6-7).  I pray that this study has brought you comfort and not fear.

The Sovereignty Of God Over The Nations - Part 7

Wade Webster

In the last installment in this study, we saw the sovereignty of God displayed in the life of Sennacherib. In this part of our study, we will see it displayed in the life of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Baylon.   

Sovereignty Displayed

There are many examples in Scripture that show God’s sovereignty.  I think that it is easiest to see it in the lives of those who were kings.  After all, they had power, riches, and many servants at their disposal.  Although they were sovereigns, they were no match for God.  Consider three well-known examples from Scripture:

• Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon - Daniel wrote, “All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?” At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down” (Daniel 4:28-37). Nebuchadnezzar had been told by Daniel of God’s sovereignty on an earlier occasion, but he ignored or forgot it. On the earlier occasion, “Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand.” (Daniel 2:20-23). Sadly, Nebuchadnezzar’s son Belshazzar would forget the lesson that God had taught his father and lose the kingdom (Dan. 5:17-30).

There are many other examples that display God’s sovereignty, but we have met the Biblical standard of establishing things at the mouth of two or three witnesses (Mat. 18:16).

The Sovereignty Of God Over The Nations - Part 6

Wade Webster

In the last installment in this study, we saw the sovereignty of God displayed in the life of Pharaoh. In this part of our study, we will see it displayed in the life of Senacherib, king of Assyria.   

Sovereignty Displayed

There are many examples in Scripture that show God’s sovereignty.  I think that it is easiest to see it in the lives of those who were kings.  After all, they had power, riches, and many servants at their disposal.  Although they were sovereigns, they were no match for God.  Consider three well-known examples from Scripture:

Sennacherib, king of Assyria - “Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out with a loud voice in Hebrew, and spoke, saying, “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! Thus says the king: Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he shall not be able to deliver you from his hand; nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, “The LORD will surely deliver us; this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” ’ Do not listen to Hezekiah; for thus says the king of Assyria: ‘Make peace with me by a present and come out to me; and every one of you eat from his own vine and every one from his own fig tree, and every one of you drink the waters of his own cistern; until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive groves and honey, that you may live and not die. But do not listen to Hezekiah, lest he persuade you, saying, “The LORD will deliver us.” Has any of the gods of the nations at all delivered its land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim and Hena and Ivah? Indeed, have they delivered Samaria from my hand? Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their countries from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?’” (2 Kings 18:28-35). On one ancient monument, Sennacherib boasted that he had Hezekiah shut up like a bird in a cage. Sennacherib thought that the God of heaven was just like the other gods that he had faced. However, God wasn’t like the others. Sennacherib spoke against God’s sovereignty. He was about to learn that it was his own sovereignty that was suspect. We read, “Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, this is the word which the LORD has spoken concerning him: “The virgin, the daughter of Zion, Has despised you, laughed you to scorn; The daughter of Jerusalem Has shaken her head behind your back! “Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice, And lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel. By your servants you have reproached the Lord, And said, ‘By the multitude of my chariots I have come up to the height of the mountains, To the limits of Lebanon; I will cut down its tall cedars And its choice cypress trees; I will enter its farthest height, To its fruitful forest. I have dug and drunk water, And with the soles of my feet I have dried up All the brooks of defense.’ “Did you not hear long ago How I made it, From ancient times that I formed it? Now I have brought it to pass, That you should be For crushing fortified cities into heaps of ruins. Therefore their inhabitants had little power; They were dismayed and confounded; They were as the grass of the field And the green herb, As the grass on the housetops And grain blighted before it is grown. “But I know your dwelling place, Your going out and your coming in, And your rage against Me. Because your rage against Me and your tumult Have come up to My ears, Therefore I will put My hook in your nose And My bridle in your lips, And I will turn you back By the way which you came.” ’ “This shall be a sign to you: You shall eat this year such as grows of itself, And the second year what springs from the same; Also in the third year sow and reap, Plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah Shall again take root downward, And bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, And those who escape from Mount Zion. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. “Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: “He shall not come into this city, Nor shoot an arrow there, Nor come before it with shield, Nor build a siege mound against it. By the way that he came, By the same shall he return; And he shall not come into this city,’ Says the LORD. “For I will defend this city, to save it For My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’ ” (Isaiah 37:21-35). So, what happened? We read, “Then the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place” (2 Kin. 19:35–37).