The Church
A Message by Reverend Jack D. Barker, Northern California District Presbyter, Pentecostal Church of God
Hebrews 12:23: “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.”
I Corinthians 3:16: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
Ephesians 1:22-23 “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church. Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.”
I Corinthians 12:27: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
Colossians 1:18: “And he is the head of the body, the CHURCH: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Ephesians 2:21-22: “In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
I Corinthians 6:19-20: “What know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
INTRODUCTION
I suppose there is something within each of us that takes pride in who we are, what we are, where we are from, etc. It’s exciting to look back to our family tree—First name, No last name, Yes many names. It is exciting to look at our beginning, our progress, and our future as apart of this great Church, and realize that we are a part of something great. When I speak about “Church,” I don’t mean any particular organization. I am speaking of . . .
I. THE CHURCH AND ITS MIRACULOUS ORIGIN
A. Miraculous is the only word that describes the origin of this great Church.
B. The word miracle means “Supernatural, Wondrous, Marvelous Occurrence”
1. This great Church began with the supernatural birth of Christ.
2. It was confirmed by His wondrous ministry and . . .
3. Its final foundation stone was laid with the Marvelous Resurrection of Christ.
This Church’s beginning and ending is in Jesus Christ. Any “church” before Him was too early, and any “church” after Him is too late. His is the only Church, it’s THE Church, and it only that has the answer to the needs that this world faces tonight.
C. The Church can only be explained in the language of the supernatural.
1. If you are a Christian, you know the miracle it took for you to be saved.
2. If you are a sinner, you need to know the miracle plan of salvation.
3. If you are a backslider, then the fact that you are here is a miracle.
D. The working of God through His people has been one miracle after another.
1. God’s dealing with the Children of Israel was miraculous.
2. God’s dealing with the early Church was miraculous.
3. God’s dealing with you and I as individuals has been miraculous.
4. God’s dealing with you and I collectively as a Church has been miraculous.
E. There is not a miracle that we will ever need that God won’t provide. The Church is not just an afterthought of God, not some last moment of expediency . . .
but the Church is the vital and central theme of God’s word, and purpose.
In spite of combined efforts of fallen angels and evil men, the Church is still going on. The glory of Rome, the grand tour of Greece and the greatness of the Pharaohs have faded on the horizons of history, but this great Church goes on!
II. THE CHURCH AND ITS MIGHTY HISTORY
A. To know what you can expect in the future, just take a look at what God has already done.
B. Along with your own personal history, you also have the history of God’s great Church at your disposal.
C. Men have tried to destroy the Church, but they do not have the power. Instead they discovered the reservoir of His resources, resources so great that they have never fully been received.
D. The Book of Acts is not the last chapter in Church history; it is only the first chapter! In Acts . . .
1. Saul, the Archenemy of the Church becomes Paul, the foremost Apostle.
2. Idols fell beneath the tread of marching feet.
3. Pagan philosophies were nipped in bud.
4. Deacons preached the gospel with more results then some of us who pastor enjoy today. Strongholds of Satan were rooted out.
5. At the Ephesian book burning, $32,000.00 of ungodly occult literature was destroyed.
E. Through the first century the Roman Empire was literally shaken off its hinges by the might of this great Church.
1. Chrysostom, who was known as “the golden- mouthed,” preached as few men have ever done. As an aged martyr being burned at the stake, he said to the young man lighting the fire, “Feel my pulse, I’m calmer than you.”
2. From 500 to 1500 AD the Roman Church ruled.
3. Then rose up Martin Luther, a little-known Catholic priest doing penance in Rome.
F. THEN CAME THE ERA OF GREAT PREACHERS.
1. John Wesley, the great Methodist preacher, burned like a flame for God.
2. Charles Wesley, his brother was also a preacher and hymn writer.
3. John Knox who cried “Give me Scotland or I die.”
4. Jonathan Edwards whose sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” still brings results today.
5. Charles G. Finney, one of the most dynamic preachers who ever lived.
6. Charles H. Spurgeon who said to a group of ministers, “If things keep going as they are, I’m afraid we will have to shorten our sermons to two and one-half (2 1/2 hours).”
G. At the turn of the 20th Century , the Church turned a page in its history, and the first words recorded were in a supernatural language as the Holy Ghost was poured out anew and fresh upon waiting hearts.
1. From the obscure mansion turned into a schoolhouse in Topeka, Kansas, to the hungry heart of an African-American preacher on Azusa Street in Los Angeles.
2. From the Dakotas to Carolinas.
3. From California West Coast to New York East Coast.
4. From the North to the South and
5. around the world and back again.
H. Over the miles and through the years the history of the Church has come, until it has been laid upon our doorstep. Now God intends for us to leave our footprints on the pages of Church history.
III. THE CHURCH AND IT’S MAJESTIC DESTINY
A. Majestic is the only word that describes the future of this great Church because it has to do with Kings and Priests, Rulers and Authority.
B. We are headed some place.
1. God has plans for us.
2. Rewards are awaiting us.
3. Heaven awaits us.
4. Worship awaits us.
5. Joy awaits us.
All that God has ever planned for His Church, all that we have ever dreamed of, all that we have ever fought for is now starting to come into view in the glorious sunrise of Eternity.
While we are waiting for these things to take place, the Lord of the Church gives us just enough JOY to keep us happy in a world of distress and upheaval and just enough SORROW to keep us humble, human and compassionate. He gives us just enough to LEISURE so we can relax and dream a little; just enough WORK, so we won’t rust or grow state. Not only this, He gives us just enough HOPE to carry us over the mountains of life and CHRIST HIMSELF to keep us satisfied.
C. If you want to know beyond a doubt that you share in this Church and it’s majestic destiny, all you have to do is:
1. Go by the tent of Abraham and get some FAITH.
2. Go on the backside of the mount with Moses and get PREPARATION.
3. Go sit in sackcloth and ashes with Job and get PATIENCE.
4. Go up Mount Carmel with Elijah and get some FIRE.
5. Plow through the Word of God, stop long enough on the
Jericho road for the Good Samaritan to show you how to have COMPASSION ON YOUR NEIGHBOR.
1. Go to the dungeon with Paul and get some MISSIONARY ZEAL.
2. Go to the Cross of Calvary to get some LOVE.
3. Go to the empty tomb, and get some ETERNAL LIFE.
4. Go into the Upper Room and get some HOLY GHOST.
5. Go into your private prayer chamber and MIX IT ALL TOGETHER.
D. Then you will know from personal experience that you are a part of:
1. The Church and it’s Miraculous Origin.
2. The Church and it’s Mighty History.
3. The Church and it’s Majestic Destiny.
Reverend Jack D. Barker is Presbyter of the Northern California District of the Pentecostal Church of God and pastor of Gospel Light Temple in Pacheco, California. He also served as East Texas District Superintendent for the Pentecostal Church of God for a number of years.
I suppose there is something within each of us that takes pride in who we are, what we are, where we are from, etc. Its exciting to look back to our family tree—- First name, No last name, Yes many names.
