The Mission of the churchThe Mission of the churchThis morning we discussed how the mission This morning we discussed how the mission

of the church is spiritual because its of the church is spiritual because its founder, builder, and Savior had a founder, builder, and Savior had a

spiritual mission. spiritual mission.

The mission of the church is to save souls The mission of the church is to save souls and edify the saints (an eternal purpose).and edify the saints (an eternal purpose).

The worship of the church is spiritual The worship of the church is spiritual (praying, singing, partaking of the (praying, singing, partaking of the Lord’s supper, giving, and preaching). Lord’s supper, giving, and preaching).

This evening, we will discussion what the This evening, we will discussion what the mission of the church is not. mission of the church is not.

The Mission of the Church is The Mission of the Church is Not PoliticalNot Political

The kingdom/church is not an earthly political The kingdom/church is not an earthly political force (John 18:33-36).force (John 18:33-36).

The apostles did not advocate overthrowing The apostles did not advocate overthrowing the government but instead prayed for the government but instead prayed for

boldness when they were persecuted (Acts boldness when they were persecuted (Acts 4:17ff).4:17ff).

We don’t tell people who to vote for.We don’t tell people who to vote for.

We don’t allow voting machines in our We don’t allow voting machines in our building.building.

We don’t allow politicians in the pulpit in for a We don’t allow politicians in the pulpit in for a rally in order to get votes.rally in order to get votes.

The Mission of the Church is The Mission of the Church is Not PoliticalNot Political

Does this mean an individual Christian cannot Does this mean an individual Christian cannot be involved in politics?be involved in politics?

We are all subject to the government which We are all subject to the government which has been established by God (Romans has been established by God (Romans

13:1f).13:1f).

But as citizens of the USA, we have the But as citizens of the USA, we have the freedom to vote and liberty to uphold God’s freedom to vote and liberty to uphold God’s word on moral issues (Ephesians 5:11). word on moral issues (Ephesians 5:11).

(sexual purity vs. (sexual purity vs. promiscuity, sobriety vs. drinking alcohol, promiscuity, sobriety vs. drinking alcohol,

pro-life vs. abortion, God’s definition of pro-life vs. abortion, God’s definition of marriage vs. gay marriage, etc.)marriage vs. gay marriage, etc.)

The Mission of the Church is The Mission of the Church is Not EconomicalNot Economical

Jesus threw out the moneychangers for making Jesus threw out the moneychangers for making His Father’s house a place of business (Jn. His Father’s house a place of business (Jn.

2:15-16).2:15-16).

The only way that the church can raise funds for The only way that the church can raise funds for its mission is the freewill offerings of its its mission is the freewill offerings of its

members (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).members (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

The church is not authorized by the Lord to have The church is not authorized by the Lord to have a restaurant, raffle, bake sale, sell books, or a restaurant, raffle, bake sale, sell books, or real estate to finance the work of the church.real estate to finance the work of the church.

An individual Christian can go into business but An individual Christian can go into business but the church cannotthe church cannot..

The Mission of the Church is The Mission of the Church is Not in Secular EducationNot in Secular Education

Did the church set up schools to educate Did the church set up schools to educate children and adults in the 1children and adults in the 1stst century? If century? If

so, where?so, where?

As an individual, the apostle Paul taught the As an individual, the apostle Paul taught the disciples the word of the Lord on a daily disciples the word of the Lord on a daily

basis at the school of Tyrannus (Acts basis at the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9b).19:9b).

Private schools or colleges do not have Private schools or colleges do not have authority to receive support from the authority to receive support from the

church because it is not a spiritual work.church because it is not a spiritual work.

The Mission of the Church is The Mission of the Church is Not SocialNot Social

““The Kingdom of God is not eating and The Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking.” (Romans 14:17)drinking.” (Romans 14:17)

But didn’t Jesus feed the 5,000?But didn’t Jesus feed the 5,000?

Yes, Jesus fed the hungry and healed the sick Yes, Jesus fed the hungry and healed the sick but it was for the purpose of proving that but it was for the purpose of proving that

He is the Son of God (John 6:35; 20:30-31).He is the Son of God (John 6:35; 20:30-31).

Those who followed Jesus because of the Those who followed Jesus because of the loaves and fishes turned away when He loaves and fishes turned away when He taught them the truth (John 6:26-27, 60-taught them the truth (John 6:26-27, 60-

66). 66).

The Mission of the Church is The Mission of the Church is Not SocialNot Social

What command is obeyed when a church builds What command is obeyed when a church builds a gym (family life center), kitchen (fellowship a gym (family life center), kitchen (fellowship hall) or uses its facilities for social activities?hall) or uses its facilities for social activities?

Paul rebuked the Corinthians, “Do you not have Paul rebuked the Corinthians, “Do you not have houses to eat and drink in” (1 Cor. 11:22).houses to eat and drink in” (1 Cor. 11:22).

Individual Christians ate together at their houses Individual Christians ate together at their houses but it’s not the mission of the church (Ac 2:46). but it’s not the mission of the church (Ac 2:46).

Recreational activities, meals, and help for all Recreational activities, meals, and help for all people were not provided by the church. people were not provided by the church.

ConclusionConclusionChrist built, purchased, and died for the church Christ built, purchased, and died for the church and its mission is to save souls & edify saints. and its mission is to save souls & edify saints.

The mission of the church is destroyed when it is The mission of the church is destroyed when it is used for political, economic, secular, or social used for political, economic, secular, or social

reasons. Let us not forget our mission!reasons. Let us not forget our mission!

Let us not allow the church to be burdened with Let us not allow the church to be burdened with these physical, fleshly things (cf. 1 Tim. 5:16).these physical, fleshly things (cf. 1 Tim. 5:16).

Are you a member of the blood bought body of Are you a member of the blood bought body of saved people? If not, obey the gospel today!saved people? If not, obey the gospel today!