The universal (catholic) church of Jesus Christ is composed of the elected believers—from all times, nations, tribes, peoples and languages—who by grace, through faith, have been redeemed and washed by the blood of Jesus Christ (holy), united (unity) to one another by the Holy Spirit, are sovereignly governed by the Word of God (apostolic), and who presently manifests themselves in gospel-centered physical gatherings. As the church expectantly awaits the return of Jesus Christ it proclaims the excellencies of God through the message of reconciliation, and loves and serves their communities through words and acts of charity.
1. The Builder
2. The Building Block
We talked about the builder and the building block but have not talked about the actual building. The next 9 weeks will be just that. We will slow down and look at the building that Christ has built and is building. As we define who and what the church is, we will study the faith of the church, the character of the church, the governance of the church, the mission of the church and more. But before we got there we had to stop and learn and remind ourselves that without the builder, without the building block that is Jesus, the church is nothing. Our purpose and identity are rooted and grounded in our builder who gave himself in love to ransom and save his bride, his church. It is only in him, the cornerstone that we find salvation and are united to him and one another.
The Church’s Identity in the Trinity
September 24, 2023 • Edgardo Rosa • Ephesians 1:3–6, Ephesians 5:25–27, Ephesians 2:19–22
1. The Content of the Gospel
- Creation
- Fall
- Redemption
- New Creation
2. The Fruit of the Gospel
- Believed
- Proclaimed
- Displayed
The Character of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
October 8, 2023 • Edgardo Rosa • Ephesians 2:11–22
Church of Christ ought to be described and defined by her:
1. Unity
2. Holiness
3. Catholicity
4. Apostolicity
We pray and hope that when someone asks you about Milestone that you would be able to confidently say that Milestone is a unified church, a church walking and progressively growing in her positional holiness, a diverse church made up of believers from every background of life, and a biblical church that is wholly committed to preaching the Word of God. These are the characteristics of a faithful church. Any church that is walking by the Spirit would be described as such. So, in one way, Milestone should not be described any different than any other faithful church. However, these markers are helpful in looking and finding a faithful church. High school students, when you go off to college to look for the trendiest church, look for a faithful church. Adult, when you move, don’t look for the church that will give you or your kids all the bells and whistles, look for a faithful church. Look for the church, that walks in unity, strives for holiness, abhors partiality, and stresses the primacy of God’s word.
The Church Manifested
October 15, 2023 • Edgardo Rosa • Hebrews 10:24–25
Biblical covenantal markers that make up the local church:
1. Gathers Around the Word
2. Preaches the Word
3. Disciples by the Word
4. Illustrates the Word
An Ordered Display of Christ’s Glory
October 22, 2023 • Edgardo Rosa • Philippians 1:1
New Testament clearly establishes the Elders, Deacons, and Members. How do these offices highlight the character and work of our Lord Jesus Christ?
1. Eldership: A Display of Christ’s Pastoral Care
2. Deaconship: A Display of Christ’s Servant Love
3. Membership: A Display of Christ’s Submissive Obedience
The three offices of Elder, Deacon, and Member in the church allow us to reflect the character and work of our Lord to one another and to a lost and dying world. No matter where one turns or who one turns to in the church, we ought to see Jesus, the builder and founder of the church. This is why Paul writes to the Ephesian church that through the church the manifold wisdom of God is being made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 3:10). Every part and every office points to and highlights Jesus. Those who fail to see the beauty and gift of these offices make little of these offices. And not only that, they also don’t see how the offices in themselves preach the gospel.
In the Elders, we see men who give of themselves to faithfully care for the flock as Christ laid down his life for the church. In the Deacons, we see men and women who serve as the Son of Man served by giving his life as a ransom for many. And in the Members, we see believers obey as Christ obeyed even to the point of death, even death on the cross.
In His infinite wisdom our Great Shepherd, our Humble Servant, and our King saw fit to structure His church is such a way that everyone who has been united to him would reflect and display him. There was no other way that it could have been done. As a building reflects and displays its architect, so the church reflects and displays its builder.
Maybe you are weary of structure or maybe you don’t see the need for such order in the church. I just want to remind you, that order and structure is good, and that it leads to flourishing. Not only is this biblical but it is also sociological. Even the world recognizes that the most successful people are those who have order and structure in their lives. God cares and love you so much that he is calling you to believe in Jesus and be united to his people where you will be known, cared for, served, and where you will be held accountable. In the church you will find fathers who will lead and teach you, mothers who will care and provide for you, and brothers and sisters who will walk alongside you. Though we are imperfect and full of flaws, because we are in Christ and empowered by his Spirit, we are able to love and serve each other. Jesus has and is redeeming and gathering a people to himself and to one another. Each member of the family, the church is equal in respect and dignity and worth, but we all, in God’s good plan serve in different ways and with different responsibilities. However, it is no safer and joyful place to be on this side of heaven than in the flock and church of Christ. Jesus has brought together a people through his shepherding, service and obedience, so that they would glorify him as they reflect his shepherding, service and obedience.
The Noble Task of Shepherding
October 29, 2023 • Edgardo Rosa • Acts 20:17–35
1. The Character of the Elders.
2. The Calling of the Elders.
An Apologetics for Church Membership
November 5, 2023 • Edgardo Rosa • Romans 12:3–8
Questions related to church membership:
1. What is church membership?
2. Is it in the Bible?
3. Is it Necessary for Salvation?
4. Is it Important?
The Supremacy of Christ - The Foundation of the Mission of the Church
November 12, 2023 • Samuel Hauzel • Matthew 28:16–20
The Foundation of the Mission of the Church
1. We Go Because We Are Sent
2. We Are Sent to Be Witnesses
3. Sent to Make Disciples
Characteristics of Discipleship
- Baptism
- Teachings
Characteristics of Discipleship
- Share the gospel wherever you are and whenever you can
- Let how you live matches what you believe
An Acceptable Worship
November 19, 2023 • Edgardo Rosa • Hebrews 12:18–29
1. The Modes of Worship
2. The Mountain of Worship
3. The Motives of Worship
