FIREHOUSE: THE CHURCH HELL CAN’T HANDLE
Part 1 - “Built In Fire”
THE CHURCH BELONGS TO JESUS — IT’S FOUNDER AND FOUNDATION
Ephesians 2:20, “Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.”
We covered this verse last week as well, but it is worth reviewing again. As believers, we belong to Jesus, we are His house, and He is the cornerstone of the church, the solid foundation upon which the apostles and prophets built and upon which we continue to build.
Acts 20:28-31, “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.”
The early church was instructed that it was important to remain on guard and warned by Paul that it was the responsibility of the leaders in the church to feed and shepherd God’s flock. We as believers are called to support our leaders, to speak truth, to silence lies and to do our part to edify the church as a whole.
1 Corinthians 14:26, “Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.”
“But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.” Paul instructed the church at Corinth of the importance of the entire body of Christ growing in strength together. There are many ways that we can serve, and as we do, it is important to remember the “why” behind it. We serve to glorify God and be the church that Jesus is still building. If our service comes with criticism or gossip or anything that attempts to undermine the foundation of what Jesus is building, then it is not service at all. Remember that our motives behind our service are what God examines. If our motives are anything but building the church and glorifying Him in the process, we will have to answer for that when we reach heaven.
Ephesians 1:19-23, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.”
God placed Jesus in His position of authority over the church, for the benefit of the church. The church belongs to Jesus and we belong to Jesus. The church is the body of Christ and we are called to act like it and to remember that Jesus is still working!
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE ACTED LIKE THE CHURCH BELONGS TO JESUS AND TRUSTED THAT THE POWER OF JESUS WILL SUSTAIN IT? MAN DOES NOT HAVE THE FINAL SAY, GOD DOES. LET US STEP OUT IN CONFIDENCE THAT THE CHURCH IS ALIVE AND WELL AND GROWING AND DO OUR PART, AS WE HAVE BEEN CALLED, TO BUILD IT UPON CHRIST’S FIRM FOUNDATION. LET US PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD SO THAT WE CAN RESIST THE FIERY DARTS OF THE ENEMY AND STAND STRONG IN OUR FAITH.
1 Peter 2:1-5, “So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.”
Peter commands believers to crave pure spiritual milk and to be done with the ways of the world that are not in line with the calling and mission of Christ. Christ was chosen by God, and we also were chosen to be living stones of the spiritual temple that God is building. Like it was said last week, this means we are called to action, not to simply exist in a place of complacency. Let us build alongside Christ, our firm foundation.
PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE
The church has always faced criticism of some kind or another, and yet it has persevered in spite of humanity. Jesus is the reason for this perseverance. He is the firm foundation. We need to remember the strength of the church and let that encourage us as we face the enemy and his attempt to undermine and weaken the church.
Read Hebrews 3.
What is the author of Hebrews speaking to the early believers through this passage? Name at least two particular admonitions that are stated and why they are important.
The author reflects on the unfaithfulness of Israel and what happened to them as a result. What connections can you make between what happened to Israel and what is happening in our churches today? With this in mind, what then is our responsibility as believers in the church?
What is something that can be certain to strengthen the church? David wrote about it in Psalm 133.
Read Psalm 133.
What does David write about in this Psalm? Can you think of some ways that having this in the church would strengthen it?
How can you practice harmony in the church? What are real examples of how you can foster this and do your own small part to strengthen the church rather than weaken it?
We touched briefly on the fact that we are all part of the same body of Christ as the church. Paul’s example is one that can really help us to see the impact when one part of the body is “off” or diseased in a physical sense, it affects the entire body. This is why it is so important for each of us to do our part to remain a healthy part of the body of believers.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Now re-read verse 18. What is this verse in particular saying to you?
How does this passage work together with Psalm 133? Think of some scenarios either real or imagined, in which the church was impacted by one part of the body in a negative way. Now think of some scenarios where the church was impacted by one part of the body in a positive way, and discuss with your small group.
If you are not sure of where you fit in the body of Christ, please have a discussion with a trusted Christian friend or if you have not already, sign up for Anchor’s A-Team. Take some time to also journal your heart to God, asking Him if there are areas where you are harming the body or other areas where you can help strengthen the body of Christ. Pray during your journaling time as you ask for wisdom and discernment to do your part to help Jesus build His church.
