The Church: Centerpiece of God's Plan

I can’t stress the importance of what we’re about to study together more than by quoting Jeff Reed’s introduction to this topic. He writes: “Two of the greatest needs in life are finding a sense of belonging and purpose. Without these, we eventually are overcome by all sorts of negative emotions: depression, loneliness, anger, and even despair. In fact, you might say that without a sense of belonging and purpose, we would be overcome by life itself. Both belonging and purpose are at risk today, especially in our culture. We are raising a generation that is without a sense of belonging or of true, meaningful purpose.

From where does a sense of belonging come? At its very core, belonging comes from a sense of family. In its fullest and most powerful sense, belonging is enjoyed within true community. The concept that we belong to a family and that our family belongs to a larger family is foundational to enjoying a healthy sense of belonging. However, it is not just enough to belong to a family and a community—we must belong to a family and a community of purpose. God has built into each one of us a sense that we are put here for a purpose. Life is not to be spent meaninglessly, strolling through decade after decade with no sense of purpose.

In our culture today, it is a sad reality that purposeful family life and community life are breaking down at alarming rates. In fact, the very idea of family is being restructured. We are encouraged to focus on ourselves—to pursue our own goals and desires, to build our own careers, to see that our own needs are met. Even with substantial voices and cultural movements calling for a return to community, the relentless pursuit of personal goals continues to drive us. Rugged individualism continues to triumph. We are beginning to see massive consequences in our culture, consequences that have long been evident within the lives of those around us and often within our immediate and extended families. Fatherless America by David Blankenhorn and The Abolition of Marriage by Maggie Gallagher are two of many major works that document the breakdown of marriage and family life.

Another sad reality is that the church—God’s design of a community of light in a dark, lost world—is also falling victim to this rugged individualism. We have lost the sense of the church as a family of families and have developed an organizational, market-driven model and a shopping-mall mentality instead. God’s design for the local church is for it to be a family of families with strong, intergenerational roots: a powerful force in raising children, in building strong marriages, and in cultivating an intergenerational heritage that grows stronger generation by generation. You know the staggering stats, that more than 60% of the children in our churches are failing to continue with the faith as they establish their own households. [quote ends]

So, for the next 6 weeks, we’ll explore the First Principles of Community Life centered on Belonging to a Family of Families. Many of you have explained to me how you feel this already in your life. We’re going to look at the local church as not just an option for those who want more, but as God’s design for His followers—to become part of a family of believers, a local church family. And today, just as we begin, we’ll explore a passage that shows us how the church is truly formed to be a community with purpose. 

Last year, we took some time to work through the book of Ephesians. So, I hope that background serves you well as we come today to see 4 illustrations to help us center on Christ’s plan, the church…

Read Ephesians 2:18-3:11 (This is God’s Word; thanks be to God)

4 illustrations to help us center on Christ’s plan, the church…

1) Light - the plan was hidden, but now it’s clearly revealed

8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

We begin with this illustration of light, which is clearly seen in Ephesians 3:8-10. Paul states that he has been given a two-fold job description. He was given the responsibility to preach the gospel and “to bring to light the plan.” His responsibility to take the gospel to the Gentiles was revealed to him at his conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). In this passage, he adds to his job description by stating that he was told to reveal Christ’s plan for His church. The term plan comes from two words in Greek: “house” (oikos) and “law” (nomos). It literally means “house law,” “house order,” or “administration.” Paul’s job was to reveal to the churches Christ’s plan for His church, which he did through his letters to them.

In Ephesians 2:11–17 (the context of the passage we just read), Paul states that the Gentiles were separated from God’s promises and that God was working through the nation of Israel (the Jews). Now, because of the death and resurrection of Christ, the wall between the Jews and Gentiles was broken down. Now those who believe, Jews and Gentiles alike, are made into one new family—the household of God, the church.

This new plan—the Jews and Gentiles being one in a new community called the church—was a mystery (3:1–7).

1 For this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles⁠— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

The term mystery refers to something that was hidden in the past but has now been revealed. Paul had a special role in the revealing of this mystery—bringing to light the house order. 

In this passage, he reveals several important aspects of the plan. Notice that the plan—His church—is the way in which the world will understand the wisdom of God Himself. Even the angelic and demonic forces will be able to see God’s wisdom through Christ’s church (3:10). Clearly, then, the church is at the center of God’s plan for the universe and will be central to God accomplishing His purposes (more on that in a second). But all this language about light and mystery helps us see how God has turned the light on for us through Paul. What was hidden is now known to us. We don’t have to wonder what God’s plan for our belonging is. It’s found in the church.

Another illustration helping us to center on the plan is the word 2) Building - its foundation is the teaching of the apostles and prophets, and its chief Cornerstone is Jesus

18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

We can see this building illustration at the end of chapter 2. Look at how Paul describes this new community of believers— both Jews and Gentiles. It is described as both a household and a building. The whole community is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. All their writings are in the form of New Testament letters to churches and church leaders and gospels that describe Jesus’ life, ministry, and teaching. Christ is the cornerstone of the building, the place you start building from. The cornerstone might have been that keystone of the arch as the building was fit together. Either way, whether it’s Christ at the start or Jesus as the one holding it together, it’s easy to see that we are a part of that building. We are being fit together to point to Him. 

The specific kind of building is a temple. Look at v.21. The whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 

3) Temple – the place where God lives, among His people

This building is a living temple, a community of believers. And, the church is the dwelling place for God, constructed by the Spirit. The church is growing into one living community where the Spirit of God dwells and accomplishes a worldwide witness of Jesus Christ, as we together live in ways to make much of Him. 

And this leads to our final idea, that of a 4) Bullseye - the center of the bullseye, the unifying purpose that fulfills Christ’s eternal purpose is the Church. Look at Ephesians 3:11 –

11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord

The church is at the very center of Christ’s plan for this age. In addition, Jesus has a specific plan for His church. An aspect of Paul’s job description was to reveal that plan to the churches. Through this plan, God’s wisdom is being revealed to all who watch—even the angelic and demonic forces. We are a place founded in community and centered in purpose.

Listen to a couple of writers about missions celebrate this vision. Michael Griffiths says, “The churches are not merely incidental means of grace to help individuals to be saved. They are not merely temporary providers of care and protection while we are on earth. God’s long-term purpose is to produce a new, beautiful, redeemed human society in which he himself will dwell.”

Or listen to David Hesselgrave: “The church, then, is not an afterthought in the mind of God. He planned for it in eternity past and provided for it in the death and resurrection of his Son (Eph. 1:19–23). And the Son prepared for its formation and development by instructing his followers as to their mission and empowering them by his Spirit (Acts 1:4–8). The church and the churches have no friend like their Lord! If Christians are to love what their Lord loves, they must love the church—and the churches! In the final analysis, Christology [what we believe about Jesus] is closely allied with ecclesiology [what we believe about the church]. When we inquire into a person’s faith, we do well to ask what that individual thinks of Christ and his church!” God has a plan for our lives, and it includes being a part of His dwelling this side of heaven: the church.

In conclusion, today we’ve seen 4 illustrations to help us center on Christ’s plan, the church…

1) Light - the plan was hidden, but now it’s clearly revealed

2) Building - its foundation is the teaching of the apostles and prophets, and its chief Cornerstone is Jesus

3) Temple – the place where God lives, among His people

4) Bullseye - the center of the bullseye, the unifying purpose that fulfills Christ’s eternal purpose is the Church.

As we wrap up, let me clarify that attending or being involved in church doesn’t save you. You have a relationship with Jesus found in what Jesus has done. It’s His life, death, and resurrection that is the point. We trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. Today, while we’ve emphasized the church, don’t mistake what I’m saying to be something salvific. Jesus saves. And, once He saves us, He propels us into a life of purpose found with His people in community.

And, church family, do you see the beautiful vision God has given us? We’ll continue to consider this in small groups. Some discussion questions are found in your notes:

If this plan requires illumination, how might you seek more “enlightenment”?

What would it look like for the church to become central in your life plans?

God commissioned Paul to give us this news that it is through the church that God’s glory is seen. Your investment in the church isn’t about earning more marks or getting to know people better for your own benefit, or just finding a social group. This is God’s plan, and we get to be a part of making His glory shine in this world. In these coming weeks, we’re inviting you into a glorious opportunity to make much of Jesus, to glorify Him, to accentuate Him in this world with a family you’re connected to with purpose. So, let’s press into knowing Jesus and making Him known to rulers and authorities in heavenly places through our life together. His eternal purpose will stand, so let’s corporately glorify and enjoy Him forever.