•   MythBusters, the show, takes a claim that might be popular in society (whether it’s from the internet, a TV show, or movie) and seeks to find out if the idea is true or not.
•   In the same way, we will be looking at some of the common ideas that people have about church (what non-Christians have heard and might believe but also what many Christians believe to be true).

FIRST: WHAT IS A CHURCH?

•   The concept of the church is built upon foundation of the Jewish Nation.
•   In a captured, broken world, God will create a community that reveals the wisdom of God in order to protect with His wisdom and to attract a ravaged world.
•   But God gave them a choice in the covenant—“I will….if you have faith/trust that obeys.”
  •   The result is a nation that brings glory to God, and God gives safety, stability, and purpose.
  •   However, that nation did not display God’s glory.
•   The New Testament word church is Ecclesia, meaning “the called out ones.”Genesis 26:4–5 Exodus 19:5–6

In the New Testament

•   The church is God’s idea (God’s church is God’s idea). (Matthew 16:18)
•   The church is the new Israel of God which includes both Jews and Gentiles. (Galatians 3:26–28)
•   The church is called on to reveal the manifold wisdom of God. (Ephesians 3:7–12; 1 Peter 2:9)

GOD’S CHURCH, OR MY CHURCH?

The gospel saves us from something for something in the body.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

1. God’s church belongs to him, and he is the authority. He has a mission.

Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV) 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The church has been given a mission: go and make disciples (more on this later).

•  “My church makes me comfortable with where I am at.” We want Jesus to come to us, to follow us in our own mission.

• • “I am the consumer who comes with the goal to be taken care of. I am the point. I have a mission, and God and His church helps me accomplish it.”

2. God’s church is organized under right doctrine, leadership, and behavior.

•  Coaches and leaders who equip. Everyone plays and are protectors; there are no spectators.

Ephesians 4:11–16 (NIV) 11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

•  God’s leaders protect and equip.

KEY PHRASES IN THIS TEXT

•   “as each part does its work” (verse 16): Everyone is playing rather than not spectating or being consumers.
•   “works of service” (verse 12): His people are characterized by humility, working as servants.
•   “in love” (verses 15-16): We are to be characterized by love—grace giving love.
  •   This love builds up.
  •   This love fills in the gaps when they see them.
•   “all reach unity” (verse 13): We’re to be characterized by unity—alignment.John 17:22–23 Mark 3:24–25 1 Corinthians 1:10
•  As the family of God, the Body of Christ, the physical manifestation of Christ, we want to live in His wisdom and declare His message to the world. (1 Peter 2:9)

THE REALITIES WE ACCEPT IN THIS MISSION

1. We as leaders are responsible to God for protecting the team/flock. (Hebrews 13:17)

• Leadership is a responsibility to God, not a privilege to use.

2. We have a broken sinful nature that leads us to focus on what we want rather than what God wants, forget, and change. (Hebrews 2:1)

3. We have a culture that draws our people away from the faith. (Romans 12:1-2)

•  The culture challenges the truth of the scriptures and entices our sinful nature.

4. We have false teachers—even well intentioned pastors/coaches—who divide the team. (Acts 20:28-32)

5. We have a spiritual enemy. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

The right statement isn’t “I need to find a church I like,” unless I’ve been changed so that I like the church God likes. What we have done here is protect and promote alignment.

•   Our membership class provides clear beliefs and expectations.
•   The 301 leadership covenant every year and relational check ups help provide accountability for leaders.

QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS IN LIFE GROUPS OR WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Passages to consider: Matthew 16:18-19; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22; or select one from the sermon.

•  Share what was significant to you from the sermon.

1. “The Church is God’s idea.” Talk about what makes that so important. Share what you know about God’s heart for His people. (Use scripture as much as you can.)
2. Look at 1 Peter 2:9 and Matthew 28:18-20. Talk about what the purpose and mission of church is.
3. What has been your understanding of what church is? A) What is being affirmed or challenged through the sermon and discussion?
4. Being involved with Jesus’ mission and being unified are significant parts of being Jesus’ church. A) In this season of your life, what is your part of being involved? B) How do you be a part of promoting unity?
5. What is your next step, personally, in being a part of Jesus’ body? A) Is there a step to take as a family?
6. How will you, as a small group, respond to what God is showing you? (A few ideas: serve together, reach out to the community, attend 101 together.)