Review of: “According to the Pattern” A Pattern: “Anything designed for a guide or model, or worthy of imitation.” God always required His followers to follow His pattern (cf. Ark, Tabernacle, Temple). God gave us a pattern to follow; I Peter 4:11; 2 John 9; Revelation 22:18-19.

God Has a Pattern for: The Name we wear religiously. The Law we ought to follow. How to become members of Christ’s church. The kind of Music God wants. “The items of worship.” The organization of the church. How we ought to live. How we ought to feel toward each other.

The Mission of the Church— What it is Not Note: The issue is, what, in keeping with God’s pattern, is the mission or work of the church? Regarding this subject, there is much confusion and misunderstanding. To help eliminate confusion, we shall first consider what the mission of the church is not!

“Church” used in two senses: The Universal Sense –Matt. 16:18, “…upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates hell shall not prevail against it. –Heb. 12:23, “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the souls of just men made perfect.” The Local Sense: –I Cor. 1:2, “unto the church of God which is at Corinth….. “ cf. Rev. 1:9-11

“Church” As used In the Universal Sense: Refers to a relationship which certain people sustain with Jesus Christ. Refers to all “saved” people, whose names are “written in heaven,” Heb. 12. When Jesus said “upon this rock I will build My church,” He was not referring to a specific local church. “Church” from ekklesia, the called out. Has no earthly headquarters, no living officers, or brotherhood treasury.

“Church” As used In the Local Sense: I Cor. 1:1-2; I Thess. 1:1; Revelation 1:9-11. Consists of a plurality of people who have been “called” by the gospel, 2 Thess. 2:14, who reside in a general geographic location. People who have banded together to work, worship, and function as a local church. When fully organized, it consists of saints, bishops, and deacons, Phil. 1:1. It has a treasury provided by the joint laying by in store on the part of its members.

The Nature of the Church It is Spiritual in nature! It consists of those who have been “born again,” John 3:3-5; Acts 2:37-38,47. It consists of those who have been begotten by that spiritual “seed,” the word of God, Luke 8:11; James 1:18; I Peter 1:18-19,23. Its members enjoy “all spiritual blessings” in Christ, Eph. 1:3. It is a “spiritual house,” I Peter 2:5. Members anticipate a spiritual home, 2 Cor. 5:1-4; Phil. 3:20-21.

An Important Fact: The nature of what the church does must be in keeping with the nature of what the church is! Its members are Christians; their lives must reflect that fact! Matt. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:15. It is a “spiritual house,” I Pet. 2:5. indwelt by “the Spirit of God,” I Cor. 3:16, purchased by the blood of Christ, Acts 20:28, headed by Christ, Col. 1:18, conceived in the mind of God, Eph. 3:8-11, and directed by His word!

The Mission of the church Is Not: To Operate like a Secular Business! Economic in Nature. I Cor. 16:1-2. Educational (in terms of human wisdom). I Cor. 1:20-21; I Thess. 1:7-8 Political. John 18:36 Social and Recreational. Rom. 14:17; I Cor. 11:22-34; John 6:44-45; 2 Thess. 2:14; Romans 1:16.

Conclusion: We must let the church be the church, nothing more or less! “The church” in the local sense must concentrate on doing the work of the church – the work God authorizes it to do! “The church,” in Bible days, consisted of “the saved,” Acts 2:47. Are you saved?