Why Does The Church Exist?

ByEdd Sterchi

     Why does the Lord’s church exist?  For what purpose did He build and purchase it?  What does Jesus want us as His body to be doing?  A study of the Scriptures will reveal that the church exists to:
* Exalt God.  Eph. 3:21 mentions that God is given glory in the church.  The church exalts God through proper worship and actions that honor Him. Everything what the church does should be to the glory and praise of the One who created it.  The church is to always be offering spiritual sacrifices to God (1 Pet. 2:5).
* Evangelize the world.  In Acts 13-14 (as well as many other places in that book), we see Paul and company preaching the word of God to lost souls.  This was a church sponsored mission (Acts 13:1-3; 14:27) which was in obedience to the Great Commission of Christ (Matt. 28:18-20). The church evangelizes through proper preaching and teaching.  The church is the keeper and proclaimer of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15).
* Edify the believers.  In Eph. 4:16, we can see that when the body (the church) is joined together, encouragement and edification take place. These are to take place every time the church properly gathers and fellowships.  This helps to keep the church energized which affects so many others (2 Cor. 9:2).
* Equip the Saints.  Eph. 4 also gives us another thing that should take place in the church – equipping the saints for service (v.12).  It is vital that the church be developing it’s members for the most effective use of their talents.  This comes about through proper education, mentoring, and training programs (cf. 2 Tim. 2:2).
* Ease the burdens of the needy.  In 2 Cor. 9:13, Paul commends the church at Corinth for their “liberal sharing with...all men.”  The church should be concerned about helping those in need, both within and without.  The church does this through proper benevolence programs and projects.  This helps to get the name of the church (and her Lord) out in the community (Acts 2:44-47).
     Obviously after studying these, it begs the question: “Why does the church here exist?”  Are we glorifying God in all of our efforts of the above?  Could we do more as a congregation?  Are you helping this church in these areas?  Let’s resolve to do all that God asks us to do – in His name, by His authority, for His glory! - Edd Sterchi

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted at eddsterchi@comcast.net