The Real Purpose

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• The Real Purpose
• of the Church

By Paul Brannan as inspired by
The Bible Basis of Missions by Robert
Hall Glover
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The Principal Purpose of the Church Is
The Evangelization of the Whole World
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Jesus Prepared His Disciples For His Departure

• For 40 days He spoke to them of things to come

• He talked to them about the Kingdom of God

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Each Gospel Records The Great Commission
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations
Matt 2819 NIV
"Go into all the world and preach the good news
to all creation. Mark 1615 NIV
repentance and forgiveness of sins should be
preached in his name to all nations Luke 2447
RSV
As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
John 2021 NIV
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Just Before He Went Away, Jesus Said,
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes on you and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth. Acts 18 NIV
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Jesus Established His Church Upon This
FIVE DIMENSIONAL COMMISSION
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Every Institution Is Obligated To Fulfill The
Statutes Of Incorporation Or Lose Its Right To
Exist

• A congregation has the right to continue as a
  Church only while it completes its obligations

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All Others Forfeit Their Rights To Retain The
Name Of Christ Or Claim His Power

• Neither do the promises of Christ belong to those
  who fail to obey the Great
  Commission

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We Love To Claim The Promise

• lo, I am with you always, even to the end of
  the age. Matt 2820 NKJV

But This Promise Is Dependent Upon Our Going To
The Whole World

• Go therefore and make disciples of all the
  nations Matt 2819 NKJV

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Pentecostals Lay Claim To The Power Of The Holy
Spirit But This Power Was Meant For Those Who
Serve As Witnesses

• To the ends of the earth. Acts 18

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It Is Clear That The Extension Of The Gospel To
The Whole World

• It is the supreme objective of the Church that
  demands precedence over every other cause,
  purpose or ministry

• Is not secondary
• Is not one of many causes
• Is our principal cause
• Is our central purpose

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It Is True That The New Testament Church...

• ...devoted (itself) to the apostles' teaching and
  to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and
  to prayer. Acts 242 NIV

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However, These Were Not An End In Themselves But
Rather Means To Accomplish Their Central Purpose
The Evangelization Of The World
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THE CHURCH WAS MEANT TO BE A CHANNEL OR RIVER
CARRYING GODS BLESSINGS TO OTHERS
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ARE WE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD AS CHRIST
COMMANDED?
The Light Should Shine Into All The World!
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IS THE CHURCH AN ARMY OF CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS?
Soldiers Dont Spend Their Time On The Parade
Ground But On The Battlefield
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MOST CHURCHES HAVE NOT CAPTURED A WORLD VISION!

• Their programs and activities show that the
  evangelization of the world is not their primary
  goal
• Some Churches exist without purpose except to
  continue the customs of the past
• Many Churches treat missions as just one of many
  programs

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HOW DOES THE AVERAGE CHURCH MEASURE SUCCESS?

• Membership
• Morning attendance
• Offerings
• Size of building
• Programs

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BUT NOT ONE OF THESE THINGS NOR THE TOTALITY OF
THESE THINGS CAN MEASURE THE TRUE SUCCESS OF THE
CHURCH

• True success can be measured only by fulfilling
  the purpose for which the Church was called and
  established

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WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH?

• To win lost souls to Christ in their community?
• To build up the members in their faith and
  experience?
• To serve the community as an example of Gods
  love and purity?

Yes, but
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THESE ALONE DO NOT FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION

• The true Church of Christ, by its nature, is
  dedicated to fulfilling Gods plan and purpose
  for the whole world
• The influence of each local congregation should
  be felt throughout the world

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THE EARLY CHURCH DID MORE TO EVANGELIZE THE
WORLD THAN ANY GENERATION UNTIL NOW!
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THEIR DISADVANTAGES WERE NUMEROUS

• They were few in number
• They had little money
• Their methods of travel were primitive

They Did Not Have..

• The printed page or the telephone
• Sound equipment or computers
• Television or radio

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They Suffered

• Ridicule from the religious world
• Persecution from the government

YET THEY FAR SURPASSED THE CHURCH OF TODAY IN
THEIR COMMITMENT TO WIN THE WORLD!
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WHAT WAS THE SECRET FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE NEW
TESTAMENT CHURCH?
?
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THEY WERE SEPARATED FROM THE WORLD

• They did not value the world or its
  attractions
• Their lives had been transformed
• They had new values and ambitions
• Rejected by the world, they marched to the
  drumbeat of a heavenly call
• They were crucified with Christ

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THEY WERE FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

• Every Spirit-filled believer, by the nature of
  their experience, is a witness

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THEY POSSESSED A MISSIONARY SPIRIT

• The responsibility of spreading the gospel was
  not relegated to a small group within the Church
• Every believer was a witness. (they) preached
  the word wherever they went.
• They were also committed financially to reaching
  the world. they gave as much as they were able,
  and even beyond their ability. 2 Cor 83 NIV

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POWER
THEY PREACHED A GOSPEL OF

• They did not preach their own ideas but Christ,
  as the Son of God

• Ascended
• Now reigning
• Soon to return

• Incarnate
• Crucified
• Resurrected

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THEIR MESSAGE DEALT WITH SIN AND ITS PENALTY

• They offered a transformed life and an eternity
  with Christ for every person
• Their message was validated in power, with signs
  and miracles

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SO, HOW DOES OUR CHURCH MEASURE UP?
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IF WE HAVE FAILED, WE HAVE TWO CHOICES
CLOSED
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Or We Must
Ask God To Heal Our Barrenness
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WERE RUNNING OUT OF TIME
FOR US!
FOR THEM
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REMEMBER
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