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Title: Marks of the true Church In the first few verses of chapter three Paul gives some concepts which help the church define itself. The church is understood in basically two ways. The first is the true church, by that we mean the universal church, the body of Christ made up of all persons who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. The second understanding is the local church which is a part of the true church, but not necessarily the same as the true church. In the local church there are both saved and non-saved people, those who have trusted Christ, and those who have not yet trusted Christ. The five marks of the true church found in these verses help us understand as individuals in the local church setting how we are to respond to God's grace in our lives both individually and corporately as members of the true church. Paul is writing to believers, but he understands that not every one in the fellowship is a believer just as he understands not everyone is at the same level of maturity. His instructions assume the majority of the church are believers and these are the precepts that should define a local fellowship of believers. The first mark, found in verse one, is those in the true church rejoice in the Lord. Believers are to find joy in the Lord as a result of their salvation. I've said it many times before, but as Paul says it's no trouble for me to repeat it. Joy is different from happiness. Happiness is a feeling based on circumstance, joy is a calm assurance regardless of and in spite of circumstances. In 1 Pet 1:3-8 the Bible says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to {obtain} an inheritance {which is} imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, {being} more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory," (NAS) Joy is a living hope, an indestructible, perfect , protected inheritance that is ours in the Lord The next Mark of a true church is in the form of a warning in verse two. Beware of evil workers. Specifically Paul is addressing the Judaizers. These were Jews who wanted to yoke Christians with the rituals and rites of Judaism. The council at Jerusalem in Acts 15 dealt with the issue early on and it was Peter who spoke up and said why put a yoke on these Gentile believers that we ourselves can't bear, they are saved by grace just as we are. Still, Paul had to deal with them constantly through out his ministry.He refers to them in three ways. First he calls them dogs. This was a derogatory term used by Jews of the Gentiles signifying they were unclean, separated from God. It is thought the Judaizers also used it to show contempt for Christians who neglected the rites of Judaism. Paul insists that they are in fact the true dogs, it is a reflection of their character, it is a condemnation. Further he says they are evil workers. Not only was their character objectionable, but they were trouble makers, they were divisive, coming into the church as professing believers but causing strife and disorder and unbelief. The true church is marked by its vigilance in being aware of those who teach false doctrines, and those who teach another gospel, a message of salvation by works rather than grace. Paul said in Gal 1:8 concerning these Judaizers, "But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed." (NAS) Strong words, but Paul was not afraid of using strong words. He lived for the spiritual well being of those who placed their faith in Christ. The third reference to these false teaches lays the groundwork for the final three marks of the true church. These evil workers are of the false circumcision. Circumcision represented the first requirement of the law and was symbolic of their approach to God. It was a ritualistic religion which substituted ritual for genuine faith. Abraham the bible tells us was the father of faith. God instituted the ritual of circumcision as a symbol of the covenant He made with Abraham in Gen 17. The symbol, however, became more important that the covenant it represented. They were severed from faith and love for God and the ritual became the basis for salvation. Religion became something external and formal, rather than internal. Ritual rather than relationship. In contrast, Paul said those who placed their faith in Christ alone for salvation were the true circumcision. This is a very important statement. Paul declares those who place their faith in Christ are the true Israel. In the Old Testament we read in Ex 19:1-6 "In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain. And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself. Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel. " NAS In the New Testament we read almost identical words in 1 Pet 2:9-10 in relationship to the church: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for {God's} own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." NAS The next three descriptions explain the difference between what Paul refers to as the false circumcision and the true, between national Israel and the true Israel. The true circumcision worship God in Spirit. This simply means that our worship comes from the heart and is Spirit guided. This is very important for the church in the church in America. I say that because we seem to have come to a place, much like the Judaizers, where external things are the focus of worship rather than the internal relationship with Christ. Let me be clear, I'm not knocking big nice beautiful churches that's not what I'm saying. As a matter of fact Bethel is a pretty nice place itself. It's small but it's air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter and we have padding in the pews and carpet on the floor. But our worship should never depend on those things. It doesn't matter whether the church is fancy or plain, whether the service is elaborate or simple, whether the pastor is, as the late Charles Erdman said, a cultured ecclesiastic or a simple peasant, whether the music is contemporary or traditional. In Jason and Neuza's church in Sete Lagos, in Brazil, many if not most of the worshipers don't have cars many of them walk to church in the morning and again at night, and there is no parking lot for those who do drive, the pews are not padded and the floor is not carpeted. How many Christians in America would make the effort to worship there, how many of us would be here this morning if we had to make such an effort. Brad and Sally Womble hold church in the open areas in the Niger Republic, sometimes in the shade of a tree with the earth as a floor in 100 degree plus weather. How many of us could or would worship there? Externals can be valuable aids, but true worship depends on the condition of the heart. The fourth mark of the true church is likewise related to the condition of the heart. True believers glory in Christ Jesus. The word glory in this passage literally means boast. True believers don't boast about what they have done for Jesus, but what Jesus has done for them. They glory in His power, His wisdom, His love, His mercy, His cross, His resurrection.Edward Mote wrote, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand." Believers have a triumphant assurance of His presence, His power, and His unfailing grace. The other side of that is the fifth mark. The true church must to have no confidence in the flesh. Again this is in contrast to the Judaizers. Flesh in this verse refers to anything apart from Christ on which a person bases their hope for salvation. It is defined by the list of things Paul mentions in verses 5 and 6: "circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless." (NAS) Legal observance, national descent, social standing, moral achievement, none of these are of any value in a persons position before God. The opposite is true. We must recognize that there is nothing in our character, or conduct that can achieve righteousness, that can justify us or make us clean. Are the marks of the true church evident in your life? Do you find joy in the Lord, are you on guard against false teaching? Is your worship Spirit lead? Do you glory in Christ and put no confidence in the flesh? For these marks or evidences to be manifest in our lives we must be willing to surrender all to Him? That's not easy to do, we want to hold things back, trust in ourselves, rely on our abilities. We have to come to the point where we realize our helplessness, our hopelessness and our sinfulness. And know that only by the blood of Christ can we be made whole. Part of a poem I read by an unknown writer says it this way: When I say ~ I am a Christian When I say ~ I am a Christian When I say ~ I am a Christian When I say ~ I am a Christian, What do you mean when you say you are a Christian? Are you willing to surrender all to Jesus? [Back] |