THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHURCH
Part 1 of 5
The Bible says, “Ephesians 3:21 – “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Eph. 3:21). If for no other reason that would be sufficient to point to the importance of the church. God is glorified in the church. However, there are many reasons why the church is important.
The church is important because of its Forecast.
The Old Testament reveals God’s plan for the church hundreds of years prior to its beginning. The book of Daniel tells us, Daniel 2:44 – “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Dan. 2:44). The book of Daniel was written sometime between 536-530 BC. Five hundred years before the church was established.
However even before Daniel, the prophet Isaiah, known as the Messianic Prophet, prophesied concerning the coming of the kingdom when he wrote, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it” (Isa. 2:2).Isaiah forecast the coming of the church. Micah echo’s these words when he wrote, “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Micah 4:1-2).
Jesus comes on the scene and begins to preach about this kingdom. Mark records, “…Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14). The model prayer in the Sermon on the Mount reflects that same sentiment when Jesus encouraged men to pray, “Thy kingdom come…” (Mt. 6:10). Jesus makes the declaration, “I will build my church” (Mt. 16:18). Is this not a forecast of the coming of the church? Christ was very specific when he said, “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1).
The Thief on the Cross made a forecast, “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:42).
The church is important because of its forecast.
