Summary: Today, I want to discuss the Church... Specifically, is the church today, the same church Christ left in our hands 2,000 years ago? Is what we call "The Church" today, The Church of Jesus Christ, or is it a Social Club that doubles as a church? What do people look for in a church today? 1. People seek professionalism... organization... appearance... effectiveness (size)... entertainment... health (wealth)... So we end up with the Mega Churches of today, with professional staffs, ministries, publicist, promotional campaigns, lobbyists, etc. 2. People seek activity... age group socialization... camping... clubs... teams... separate classes for separate groups... separate churches... etc. We think we're serving God better by offering activities that interest people, and actually these things are fine for believers to be involved in, but not in the Church... 3. People seek teaching... but what they really mean is they seek accreditation... like attending class to get the grade... they want simple, short, light-hearted, and short... I went to an event at a church recently... pretty important event... basic to the doctrine of the church... it seemed like a children's performance at school... this was a teachable moment... this is what first century believers died for... 4. People seek community... but not community with God or about God, but community with each other... but we can do that anywhere... do we really need social community in church??? If we look at how the disciples responded when Christ was crucified, we can discover the natural purpose of the church. a. A place where believers gather - after Christ was crucified, the disciples gathered to understand what happened. b. A place where believers found comfort and safety - the followers of Christ were afraid they were next. c. A place where believers could discuss the glory of Christ - the wonders of His death and resurrection. d. A place where believers discuss events - They discussed among themselves the events of the past few days. e. A place where believers were encouraged in their faith - Christ showed himself to the disciples. f. A place where believers could share in the promises of Christ - He promised to give them eternal life... g. A place where believers could pray, and grow in their knowledge of God and Christ - So if I took this description of the defining actions of the Church after the crucifixion of Christ, the purpose of the first century church could be defined in a sentence; "When the church was first formed it was; A place where believers gathered for comfort and safety, to discuss the actions of Christ and His glory, and be encouraged in their faith, as they discussed His promises, and through prayer grew in their spiritual knowledge as they prepared to proclaim salvation, through Christ, to the world." What happened??? Where did the church go wrong??? Why did it go off the track??? Christ warns us about what was going to happen to the church in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13, with 4 parables; A. The Parable of the Sower (13:3-8, 18-23) B. The Parable of the Wheat & Tares (13:24-30, 37-43) C. The Parable of the Mustard Plant (13:31 & 32) D. The Parable of the Leaven (13:33) We see examples of the process of the Parables in the Book of Revelation when the Apostle John speaks to the 7 leading churches of his day; Starting in chapter 2, John says to; 1. Ephesus - Left first love - the first commandment - Love God and your neighbor as yourself. Prosperous and renowned city. Also known for its religious tolerance. 2. Smyrna - the persecuted church. Even before the church had reached the end of the first century it was already entering into apostasy. The teachings of the original apostles had been trivialized and, in some cases, thrown out completely. Many who claimed to follow Christ now focused on who he was rather than the news He brought. Doctrines were compromised,
