This study was first taught on November 11, 2018

Topic: What the Church Ought to Be

(use the audio to study)

---

Background
In our last meeting, we concluded on the theme, “Church Life”, as we looked at the parameters that make a church healthy. These parameters, based on Acts 2:41-47, are:
- A vital relationship with the Holy Spirit;
- A taught church—teachings, learning, and putting to practice what has been learnt;
- Bonding—seeing and relating with one another as brethren regardless of skin colour, nationality, gender, etc.—and Sharing—giving of oneself and substance to those in need among the brethren;
- Caring and loving—ensuring that our love for God is primary, and manifesting that love for God in a heartfelt concern for the brethren, whoever they may be;
- Unity—by the Holy Spirit, in the Holy Spirit, and in God’s purpose—thus making us able to pray, “Thy Will be done on the earth, as it is done in heaven”, and really mean it;
- Praying—intercessions, praying for the work of God and the workers thereof; praying for peace (“Blessed are the peacemakers—they are truly the children of God” (Matt 5:9, paraphrased));
- The fear of God—this is the basis for the presence of God in the church and it is the foundation upon which wisdom, understanding, and true knowledge must sit;
- Growth—internal spiritual development of the individual members, rather than numeric growth. In other words, the quality of the individuals spiritually, must precede the quantity—the number—of individuals gathered. If quality is poor, then quantity is meaningless!

Thus, we concluded that the task of those who lead the flock of God (the churches) is to nourish and nurture God-fearing believers, who adhere to God’s word, and are growing in the knowledge and grace of God!

Scripture Text(s)
Revelation 1:9-20
As we said in our last meeting, we shall build on the subject of “A Healthy Church” by digressing from our study on “The Book of the Acts of the Apostles”, to look at the state of the church of God today.

It is one thing for a person to be alive and breathing; it is another matter for him/her to be alive and well! Hence, people (at least, those who can afford it) go for medical check-ups to check how well they are because, merely breathing and walking around does not mean that one is well! And even though all men will die, men still do all in their power to stay healthy, because, poor health reduces productivity, and increases burdens on others, among others.

When we talk about the church, however, things are different. The church of God is not expected to die, but to continue until she is taken away/home at the Second Coming of Christ. It is, therefore, imperative that we make every effort to ensure that the church of God is healthy, not just existing!
Having spoken of the parameters that make a church healthy, we shall now turn to look at the state of the church(es) today, and this we shall do over the next few weeks. In our scripture text, three crucial things are spoken of about the church in symbolisms, which is indicative of what the church ought to be; then we can tell if the church today is in shape or not!
Revelation 1:12, 20; Exodus 25:31-40; 27:20; Leviticus 24:1-4; Zechariah 4:1-4, 11-14; Revelation 4:5; Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:16, 20; Matthew 2:1-10; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Jeremiah 23:28-30, 16-22; Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 16:1-13; John 21:15-17; 10:12-13; Galatians 1:10b; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Revelation 1:10-18; Matthew 18:20; 28:19-20; Mark 16:20; Luke 18:8b; John 1:1-9.

Conclusion
Matthew 16:13-23
In order to know the state of the church of God today, we must know what the church ought to be; and this we have seen in the symbolisms, which the Lord graciously revealed to us through John, the Elder and apostle. The symbols are:
- The golden lampstand, which is a figure of the church, and depicts a tried and tested church—one that has been purified, and is pure—a church that is local, without branches, that is, not denominational, and a light to its locality;
- The star, which depicts the ‘angel’ or messenger whom God has appointed over the local church, and whose primary role is to lead the flock of God to the Lord Jesus Christ, just as the star at the birth of Jesus, led the wise men to Him. The messenger of God, as a steward of God, is to faithfully lead the church by preaching and teaching them the word of God faithfully, and without any inordinate desire for acquisitions.
- The One standing in the midst of the golden lampstand, this is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who sees all things, and knows all things happening in the churches. He is, really, the Light which the churches must shine forth in their various localities. Indeed, without Him in the church, there is no church; and without Him upholding the messenger, the messenger will falter.

So, the church of God ought to be pure, local, and a light to its locality. She ought to have a messenger divinely appointed over her, whose responsibility is to feed the flock with the word of God faithfully, and lead them to the Lord Jesus Christ, without any desire for filthy lucre. The church must have the presence of the Lord Jesus with her at all times, otherwise we don’t have a church.

We must note, however, that the church of God is not a building, but the people who have been saved from sin and eternal judgment, and who are now living for God. So, as we conclude, we need to answer the following questions:
• Are you, as an individual and integral part of the church, a light in your locality—your neighbourhood, school, place of vocation, etc.?
• Are you, as an individual and integral part of the church, living a life of purity?
• As an individual and integral part of the church, is Christ truly living in you, or are you savoring the things that be of men?
• As a messenger of Christ to the local church, are you still in His right hand of power and authority, or have you departed for the world, as was documented of Demas?

At the end of the day, the state of the church will reflect the spiritual state of the individual members that make up the local church, as well as the spiritual state of the messenger of God to the church!

---

Back to all Bible Study Outline List