The Gathering – Part 3

Introduction and Review

Church is not something you attend. It’s something you are.

Matthew 16:18-19 (ESV): 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The church has been given keys, so we’ve been charged with responsibility.

The Church as A Branch of Government

We have legislative responsibilities

• Matthew 6:9–10 (ESV): 9  . . . .“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

• Matthew 6:33 (ESV): 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

• 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV): 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

• Philippians 4:6 (ESV): 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God

We have ambassadorial responsibilities

• 2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

• Ephesians 6:18–20 (ESV): 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

• More ambassadorial-related language:

• Philippians 3:20 (ESV): 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

• What does Kingdom ambassadorial work look like in practice?

• Kingdom ambassadors proclaim the good news of their government’s repatriation program.

• Kingdom ambassadors represent and promote the kingdom’s culture and values in their daily lives.

• Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV): 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

• Kingdom ambassadors spend quality time in their embassies with other ambassadors.

• John 13:35 (ESV): 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

• Galatians 6:10 (ESV): 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

• The love walk we develop in the church is training for the love walk we practice outside the church.

• Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV): 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We have judicial responsibilities

• 1 Corinthians 6:1 (ESV): 1When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?
• 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (ESV): 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

And Who Are We, Really?

Ephesians 2:1–6 (ESV): 1And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

• Colossians 3:1–2 (ESV): 1 Set If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
• Ephesians 3:8–10 (ESV): 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Like a Joint Session of Congress

• Acts 13:2–3 (NKJV):

2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.