The Central Figure of the Church
Acts 2:38-47
Consider the Church. Spiritually, the church is the entire Body of
Christ. It is comprised of those who
have put their faith in Christ and been born again into the family of God. The church is made up of ALL believers. Practically, the local church is a physical manifestation of the Body of Christ - a
literal “called-out assembly” of believers working together to fulfill the Lord’s
instructions.
The early “infancy period” of
the church is fascinating to read about in the book of Acts. The record is that in just a few years local
churches of baptized believers are established in dozens of cities in the Mediterranean
region.
They have no steeples or
stained glass, no buildings, no busses, no organized Sunday School, no media
advertising, no Youth Groups, or Kids Clubs.
At this point they don’t have church officers. Apostles are “pastoring” – but there are no
deacons, yet. No gospel tracts, no Bible-study
books are available. Their only written Bible
is the Old Testament.
INSPITE of their lack of many
things that we would ascribe to any church today, notice what is happening in verse
47. We see something magnificent is
happening for cause of Christ. The
assembly of believers did not have all of the “stuff” a church is supposed to
have. BUT, what they did have was the
power of God at work in their individual lives – through the indwelling Holy
Spirit – channeled through their local church.
First and foremost we begin
with the consideration of: The Central
Figure of the Church.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
Peter’s message (v.14-36) articulates that Jesus Christ is
the central figure, the primary thrust, the key person of all that is happening. Today, Jesus Christ MUST be the central
figure, the primary thrust, and the key person of all that is happening here at
Maranatha Baptist Church if we are to be what the Bible teaches us that a
church ought to be. Sadly, much of what
is done in the name of religion, today, has little or nothing to do with Jesus
Christ.
Let us be clear: Jesus Christ is the central figure of THE
Church … of our church.
1. Jesus is the FOUNDER of the Church
Matthew 16:18
…I will
build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Jesus speaks of His
identification with the church when He says, “my church.” He is not
talking about just any group. Rather He
is identifying with His assembly, His “called-out” ones.
Jesus is speaks of His
relationship. He says, “I will build” We are energized by His activity, by His
power. He is engaged with His people and
He propels them to progress.
Jesus is speaking of His
victory – “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The church will victoriously endure
- NOT because of those who are IN the church.
It will victoriously endure because of He who founded it!
2. Jesus is the FOUNDATION of the Church
Ephesians
2.19-20 Now therefore ye are no
more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
The church is not only founded BY Jesus Christ. It is founded UPON Jesus Christ. It is specifically on the life, death, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ that the church is based. Without Jesus work of redemption there would
be NO need for a church. NO humans could
serve God through a church because no humans would have ANY relationship with
God. If there were no Jesus Christ (the
Son of God coming to earth to redeem mankind) then there would be NO church.
3. Jesus is the FRAMEWORK of the Church
Ephesians 2:21-22
In whom all the building fitly framed together
groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
[22] In whom ye also are builded
together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Your life is work-in-progress. God is building you IN Christ. Our church is a work-in-progress. God is building us together IN Christ. Just like the simple song says, “He’s Still
Workin’ on Me.” We can sing as a church
family here at Maranatha “He’s Still Workin’ on Us.”
Who we are - is all about
Jesus. So, what we do should be all
about Jesus.
Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; [14] Who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous
of good works.
4. Jesus is the FIRST OFFICER of the Church
Ephesians 1:20-22 Which he wrought in Christ, when he
raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly
places, [21] Far above all principality,
and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in
this world, but also in that which is to come:
[22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the
head over all things to the church,
The founder of the church is
not dead. He is not in a grave with a memorial
monument to Him and to His vision. We
serve a LIVING Savior! Our founder is
ALIVE and still leading as the First Officer, the CEO, the HEAD of the church.
Colossians 1:17-18
And he is before all things,
and by him all things consist. [18] And
he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
It may come as “news” to some
people, but get it clear. The Head of
the church is not the membership. The
Head of the church is not the Deacon Board.
The Head of the church is not the Pastor. The Head of the church is JESUS CHRIST!
Any and ALL human leadership
within the church is under submission to the authoritative Head – the First
Officer: our Lord Jesus Christ!
1Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
5. Jesus is the FASHION of the Church
Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and
every one members one of another.
A great pastor from a
generation ago, Dr. Jack Hudson, used to say, “You make much of Jesus; He will
make much of you.” If our Church will
make much of Jesus, He will make much of our church
2Thessalonians 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The disturbing trends (we
see) in many churches today seem to indicate that they want to present
themselves less and less like Jesus but, more and more like the world and the
culture. (The same world and culture that
Jesus came to save people out of.) You
can certainly draw a crowd by putting on a show and making people feel good
about themselves. But, THAT is not a New
Testament church.
The measurement of a church
is not in its size, or its buildings, or its offerings. The true measurement of a church is in its likeness
to Christ.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will
draw all men unto me.
Conclusion: Maranatha
Baptist Church will be successful IF and only if we are united to keep Jesus
Christ as the Central Figure in all that we are and all that we do.