Temple Baptist Church - 8-9-2026
Ephesians 4:11-16
Introduction:
A. The Problem with the modern churches. Some of the main problems with the end-time church are that of purity, priority, and purpose. That is the reason for the confusion, conflict, and casualness of God’s people. Their priorities are wrong which leads to selfishness. Selfishness leads to conflict. Conflict leads to confusion. Confusion leads to failure of purpose!
B. Churches and denominations have lost their way spiritually. The local church is a called assembly of saints to worship God, learn the Scriptures and doctrinal truth, and to exhort one another! This is the main purpose internally. What we are doing this morning, night, and Wednesday is essential to both the local church corporately and the saints individually! I will deal with the external purpose in Part 2.
C. In most cases, the local churches and denominations in general have lost their biblical way!
1. The Church Has Become A Recreation Center For The Sinner. No biblical preaching leads to an unholy congregation. The local church was never meant to be a “fishing hole” for sinners!
a) A place where the sinner is Comfortable, not Convicted. Reproving and rebuking have been replaced by the “smooth” things.
Isaiah 30:9-11 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: (10) Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: (11) Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
b) A place where the sinner is Placated, not Preached to. Reproving and rebuking are not popular among the carnal, thus the Word from the pulpit has become selective!
2 Timothy 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2. The Church Has Become An Entertainment Center For The Carnal Saint. Their programs, music, and preaching so-called, reflect the mood and priorities of the world instead of the Word.
a) Entertainment encourages Carnality, Not Crucifixion. We are to die to self and live for the glory of God.
b) Entertainment produces Apathy, Not Ardor.
3. The Church Has Become A Fast Food Joint For The Shallow Saint. Pumps their Flesh, Not builds their Faith.
4. The Church Has Become A Rest Home For The Backslidden Saint. They Are Careless In Their Sin, Not Convicted In Their Service.
D. The Purpose of the church.
1. The Church For The Hungry Saint: A Restaurant.
a. There Must Be Feeding (Consistent Bible preaching with power and boldness.)
1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
b. There Must Be Feasting (The pastor can feed all he wants but unless there is a feasting, all is in vain.)
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
2. The Church For The Weary Saint: A Place Of Refreshment.
a. There Is Encouragement.
Acts 14:21-22 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
b. There Is Exhortation.
Jude 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
3. The Church For the Sickly Saint: A Place Of Recuperation
a. Restoration For The Fallen.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Corinthians 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
b. Reassurance For The Troubled.
2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
4. The Church For The Growing Saint: A Place Of Spiritual Growth.
a. The Product of lack of teaching.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
b. The Product of Biblical Teaching.
Ephesians 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
5. The Church Is A Nest for The Saint’s Children. Don’t allow the world to raise your children!
Psalms 84:1-3 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! (2) My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. (3) Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
Conclusion: The local church’s primary purpose is for the edification of the Body of Christ, believers! Till we ALL! A work that is never done!
Ephesians 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
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