Please note that these are posted online with permission from the writer for the benefit of those who attended the Bible Study class. However, please do not re-post or copy content without prior permission from Bro Koay Kheng Hin.
Note: Text that are in grey are transcribed during the lesson and is not part of the physical lesson notes supplied which are rendered in black.
Philippians 1:3-11 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer:that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia–your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead –Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
These churches, Paul commended as good churches. He is happy with them.
Galatians 1:6-9 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again:If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
Galatians 3:1-5 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you:Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing–if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
These churches, you can tell Paul is angry with them. He call them foolish. Read the spirit of the letter. You can tell Paul was getting upset with them. They have doctrinal error.
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly –mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?
Here you can imagine how Paul addresses the issues in the church. He is not happy. The Corinthians have a moral problem. Arguing, committing incest, division etc.
The point I am trying to make is that the New Testament churches were not perfect and so it is the same today.
The Westminster Confession of Faith
The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error.
The composition of the church
Mature -> Growing -> Young Believers -> Unbelievers
Our goal is to have mature Christian being on the increase and young believers and unbelievers on the decrease. That's the ideal composition. If it's the other way around the church will have a lot of problems.
The purity of the church is its degree of freedom from wrong doctrine and conduct, and its degree of conformity to God's revealed will for the church.
Signs of a more-pure church
1. Biblical doctrine (or right preaching of the Word) Titus 1:9
Preaching and teaching come together. They complement each other. That is why in Eph 4 it is arguable whether it is a 5-fold or 4-fold ministry. I see a pastor-teacher ministry. Ephesians 4:1 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
1 Timothy 3:1-2 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
A pastor must be someone who is able to teach. Preaching and teaching are different approaches to built the people of God. Both are from the Word of God but the context is different. Teaching focuses on the scripture, from the head to the heart while preaching works on the heart.
The word needs to be taught in depth.
2. Proper use of the sacraments (or ordinances) 1Cor 11:17-34
There are two things, for baptism and communion is the way it's done and the understanding behind it.
How we do it? Baptism we do full immersion while some does sprinkling. Which is biblical.
Do we have proper understanding? What is the purpose of the Holy Communion? Proper understanding of baptism.
3. Right use of church discipline 1 Cor 5:4-7, 12-13
Contemporary church don't get high marks. Is there a disciplinary guideline. Not to punish people but to restore.
4. Genuine worship Eph 5:18-20
The flip side of worship is entertainment and music. Are we leading the congregation to worship God, honour Him, praise Him or is it to entertain them. Is the music aimed at supporting the worship or is the focus in itself? In church history, the most vibrant worship is without music but only you and the Lord. The other is the lyric. The content of our worship songs is important. That is why hymns are evergreen. If you read the words in a hymn you can identify with the scripture. Not because of it's tune or tempo.
5. Effective prayer Eph 6:18
Is it activity or a program? We are not looking at the results but whether we have the consecration when praying.
6. Effective witness Mat 28:19-20
What is the motivation for evangelism? Why do we share the gospel? Is it to fulfill a church program or for the salvation of someone. Never treat your friend as a number. To increase attendance. Evangelism has to be motivated by love.
7. Effective Fellowship Heb 10:25
I am biased towards cell. I grew as a Christian because I joined a cell group. I learned to pray, to share. We want to see how many in our church is attending cell.
8. Biblical church government 1Tim 3:1-13
We will wait for that lesson.
9. Spiritual power in ministry Acts 1:8
Spiritual Power / Secular Power
Secular power is about organization, corporate etc. the church being administered from the perspective of an organization.
Some churches from a book I read looks at the sociology profile of the members. Or engage a marketing company to study the profile of the congregation and design the program of the church to fit the profile of the congregation. Is this spiritual or secular power?
We are called to conform man to the image of God. But if we go the secular way, we will conform our God to the image of the people. Spiritual power is in the Word and the Spirit.
10. Personal holiness of life among members Heb 12:14
In a broad sense, on terms of our holiness, obedience to God etc
11. Care for the poor Acts 4:32-35
12. Love for Christ 1 Pet 1:8
Evaluating is good but why do we evaluate? That is more important.
1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Build up the church. When the church is not perfect, don't run away. Build it up. It can be build up by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Speaking the truth without love tears down, not build up.
Colossians 1:28-29 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
His aim is to make everyone perfect in Christ. Spiritual maturity for everyone. The heart of Paul is missions but he labours for spiritual maturity. He understood the meaning of discipleship. Paul does it by teaching and admonishing (correcting, rebuking). In other words discipline.
CHURCH DISCIPLINE
Holiness is tied to church discipline.
Matthew 18:15-18 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. ’ 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
This is about a brother who has a personal problem but the principle is sin, maybe not against you but against the Lord. There is a progression to address the problem. See him one-to-one. If that didn't work being witnesses. If still cannot then bring to the church. If he still refuses, then it's ex-communication. This is about sinning against God and not a personal problem with another.
1 Corinthians 5:4-7 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast–as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
The context is that there are sexual sins and pride. Paul was very unhappy. The people who reported to Paul are people who care for the church. Paul is saying to ex-communicate him under the authority of the Lord. But Paul says it with grace so that when he is out of the church fellowship so that he may realize his wrong and come back a new man. He is not there to punish but to keep the purity of the church, with the hope that this man will come back like the prodigal son.
So what do we do as a church for discipline?
Galatians 6:1-5 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load.
The first would be to restore him. Gently. With love. Don't judge him. Watch yourself. This is the preferred methods before the extreme act of ex-communication when the person is unrepentant. We need to correct and rebuke a brother who sins against God or his blood is on our hands. If we do and he refuses to listen, then it's no longer on our hands.
The unity of the church is its degree of freedom from divisions among true Christians.
John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
John 17:23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
1 Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Question 1
What is one positive result and one negative result of focusing on the purity aspect of the church?
The church becomes more holy. An emphasis on purity may bring about a lot of division. "This not right. That not right"
Question 2
What is one positive result and one negative result of focusing on the unity aspect of the church?
Can move in unity in one accord. Sometimes don't want to speak out in order not to jeopardize unity.
Question 3
In what areas is TOP "more pure"? In what areas do you think it is "less pure"?
The purity of the church can be grounded on these verses.
Ephesians 4:11-16
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Purity and maturity runs concurrently with unity! If purity destroys unity then it is wrong.
The Purity if the Church
Church discipline.
Sociology Discipline - Church Discipline
Punishment - No. Vengeance is the Lord's
Correction - Yes. To restore
To Protect Society - To protect the church
Life situations with regards to the unity of the church
Example 1
I left the church because the church has no future in the Lord. Because the church is not worshiping God the way the bible teaches. - DOCTRINAL
Example 2
I am leaving the church because the spirit of God has spoken to me to leave the church. - PERSONAL/RELATIONAL
When a person says this, there is not much we can do. Usually it is because of other factors eg argument with church leaders, pastor etc
Example 3
There is no opportunity to serve in this church so I left. - MINISTRY ISSUE
Example 4
No one in the church could help me but another brother from another church helped me and I am now assimilated I to his church. - "MINISTERED TO" ISSUE
Example 5
The pastor has got a moral failure and it was brought to the board and pastor and it was not dealt with - MORAL ISSUE WITH LEADERS
Purity and unity must be addressed simultaneously.
Ephesians 4:1-6
Unity in the Body of Christ
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit –just as you were called to one hope when you were called – 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Romans 16:17-18
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
Strong warnings against those who cause divisions.
Never speak the truth in bitterness, anger or pride as it will be hurtful, tear down, cause division and will not build up or edify.
Unfortunately church history tells us that the church has not been very united.
AD1054 - the church seems to have doctrinal issues but it was actually political
AD1521 - conflict between the Protestant and the Catholic Church.
The ecumenical movement tried to bring the churches together. Not very successful because they tried to do it for the unity if the church but it conflicted with doctrinal purity.
- saved by faith not works
- Position of the virgin Mary
- Many others including the worship of saints
When does a person leave a local church?
1. Doctrinal error but it must be a specific doctrinal error that can be quoted eg moving into heresy
2. No area for service. This is very real but we also we need to be very careful. Example is if you are baptised in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues when the church leadership tells you you cannot.
3. People may naturally want to follow the person who help them. This is part of discipling and is a valid reason.
4. Moral failure of church leaders. Go through the proper process to address the sin.
5. Being ministered to is a valid reason.
But most people leave the church because of relational problem and because of pride and ambition.
What is the litmus test of whether a person leaves the church for the right or wrong reason. If the person left and grow, is involve in ministry and leadership, he probably left for the right reasons. If he left and just go to church out of duty and is not growing, he probably left for the wrong reasons.
Paul's goal is for spiritual maturity for everyone in the church.
Colossians 1:28-29
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
THE THREAT OF THE SECULARIZATION OF THE CHURCH
Throughout history the church of Jesus Christ has faced the threat of conforming to the world. Every time she succumbs to it she has lost her spiritual vitality.
As the church advances and develops within this century the spiritual character of the church in terms of her commitment to the Word of God and His Spirit, her focus upon holiness, her emphasis upon a fulfilling agape love relationship with God, her appreciation of the importance of the motivations of the heart and her sincere concern for people is constantly under threat. As we go into the world to transform it through the advancement of the kingdom of God, we must be constantly on guard to preserve this spiritual heritage. We do well to learn from history: the spiritual darkness wrought from the church's involvement with politics in the 14th century and the negative influence of the Enlightenment upon the church resulting in the birth of biblical liberalism in the 19th century.
There needs to be an awareness that aspects of secular thinking are seeping into the spiritual fabric of the church. The emphasis on corporate governance, professionalism, quantitative analysis, organizational structures and methodology is slowly transforming the church into the likeness of the world. It is undeniable that all of these aspects have a place in the ministry of the church but they must always be subordinate to its spiritual essence.
As the church focuses upon corporate governance it must remember that such governance was instituted to cater to organizations dealing with products. However the church is primarily involved in work relating to a Person: Jesus Christ. Relevant aspects of corporate governance can be adopted to the context of the church. Nonetheless, at its core many aspects of corporate governance such as its principles of power and authority are incompatible with the ministry of the church. Whatever aspect of corporate governance that is adopted for use in the ministry of the church must necessarily be seen from the viewpoint of servant-hood leadership.
The attitude of professionalism is effective in enhancing productivity and commitment. It is a key ingredient in raising standards of work performance. As the church grows, the scope of the work of the church expands and a certain degree of professionalism is required to maintain high standards of task performance. However, there is the risk that the promotion of professionalism in the ministry of the church may exalt productivity and efficiency above the relational attributes of love, kindness and patience10. Ministry may then become a yoke rather than the source of joy that it was meant to be. The church may tend to view people not as persons but merely as workers for a cause.
It must be noted that any form of work, whether spiritual or secular in nature, needs some form of assessment to ascertain its effectiveness. For any form of work dealing with a product, such quantitative analysis is totally appropriate and indispensable. Nonetheless, as far as the work of the church is concerned, her focus upon numbers and her pragmatic use of numbers to determine policy will de-emphasize the place of the Word and Voice of God in setting the direction of the church. Much spiritual fruit can only be seen in the long term and many aspects of life are non-quantifiable. Numbers reflect only a short term perspective of the effectiveness of spiritual work. Furthermore a focus upon numbers may remove the elements of sincerity and integrity from our work. We may, for instance, run a program to help the disadvantaged because the program is effective in bringing people to the church and end the program when numbers dwindle. Such an approach to ministry calls into question the issue of sincere concern for people.
At the end of the day, even though organizational structures are needed to streamline administration and enhance productivity when the church grows big, they must not create an atmosphere of bureaucracy that de-emphasizes the family aspect of the body of Christ. The church needs to foster a spiritual bond brought about by a unity of Spirit that is able to encourage ministry service based upon a relational instead of a structural matrix.
It is pertinent to understand that spiritual work must necessarily be grounded upon the Word and Spirit. Whatever methodology used will be devoid of spiritual significance without the power of the Word carried by His Spirit. Methodology in its programs and ministry models cannot on its own bring forth spiritual fruit. They do not make disciples of Christ, even if they may bring people to the church. The church needs to perceive the salvation experience as a process. From the time a person hears the gospel until he finally calls Jesus his Lord and thereon grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ the will gradually need to switch from a diet of spiritual milk to solid spiritual food. The church therefore must institute a discipleship process based on an in-depth study of the Word of God. Spiritual discipleship is an on-going process that does not end with the baptismal experience or graduation from a series of topical bible lessons.
We need to acknowledge that the proper use of corporate governance, statistical analysis and effective methodologies can assist the mission of the church in evangelizing the community and transforming it for the glory of God. Nevertheless we need to be clear in our minds that the church must never be perceived as a corporate entity whose task is to market the gospel of Jesus Christ as a product. Such a wrong secular perspective of the church opens the church to the risk of sacrificing the integrity of the gospel on the altar of expediency. The church may fall into the error of believing that "the end justifies the means", that how ministry is done is not important as long as people are being brought to the church.
Instead the church must be seen essentially as the body of Christ sent by God into the world to proclaim the gospel as the divine message of salvation. Such a proper biblical perspective of the church will ensure that the ministry of the church will always be grounded upon the Person and Character of Christ. The how and why of ministry will be as important as the results, "The means becomes an integral part of the end".
There is a gradual secularization of the church taking place. As the church purports to transform the world, she may in turn be conformed to it. In the search for contemporary relevance, the message of the church can be in danger of being compromised. In the endeavor to advance the kingdom of God, we may lose the spiritual essence of the kingdom. This threat is real and it can only be thwarted if the church addresses the twin issues of the vacuum of spiritual leadership and the famine of the Word of God within its midst. Spiritual leadership marked by holiness of character rather than mere charisma, a Christ-centeredness in ministry rather than a focus upon human effort, authenticity rather than hypocrisy in relationships and a deep sense of heavenly calling rather that personal ambition is urgently needed. The teaching of the Word of God as regards the doctrines of the faith, the proper interpretation of Scripture and a careful study of every book of the Bible must serve as a primary means of spiritual growth.
May the church be steadfast with her eyes fixed upon Christ Jesus. It is only in doing so that we as members of the body can indeed be faithful ambassadors20 for Him Crucified, proclaiming to a secular generation the whole counsel of God.
To Him be the glory. Amen!
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
1. Rom 12:2
2. 2Tim 3:16-17
3. Acts 1:8
4. 1Pet 1:16
5. Mat 22:37
6. 1Sam 16:7
7. Mat 9:36
8. John 17:16-17
9. Eph 5:30
10. Gal 5:22-23
11. Jer 1:2
12. Eph 6:17
13. 2Pet 3:18
14. Heb 5:11-14
15. Rom 14:17
16. 1Cor 3:11
17. Gal 1:1
18. Jos 1:8
19. Heb 12:2
20. 2Cor 5:20
21. Acts 20:26-27
The church must be defined by the gospel and not by its function.
Exaltation - Edification - Evangelism
When we define the church by its function (missions), growing the church becomes primary and the gospel becomes secondary ie adapted to fulfill the missions of the church.
200 times disciple is used in the NT. convert is only used once or twice. Today we have a new class. The Christian consumer. The church must do better than the world. The consumer becomes king. Isaiah 6 conforms the world to heaven. Making God in the image of man.
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