Purpose:
Is the reason for which something is done, or created for, or for which something exists. It also connotes an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides our planned actions (Free dictionary)
Acts 2:42
[42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Our purpose for existence as a church is primarily to do what God has put us here on earth as His ambassadors. we must ask ourselves these crucial questions: What is the reason the church was created? Why do we gather weekly and attend the various church activities we are part of? What are we called for? The purpose we have defined is what directs where we are headed and how you operate. Your purpose is like a GPS, it is what guides you and helps you refocus when you go off track. You cannot purpose in your heart to go to Calcutta and end up buying a ticket to Accra. You may have travelled to a destination but your purpose has not been achieved.
The purpose of our existence as a church is linked to the reason for which God created man. To Enjoy a relationship strengthened by understanding of His who He is, which make us grow in love and reverential fear and love of Him and thus willingly submit ourselves to obeying what He has defined as His accepted standard for living
Ecclesiastes 12:9,13
[9] And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. [13] Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Isaiah 43:7
[7] Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
Matt. 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
So what is the purpose of the church?
Wayne Grudem summarise these well, it is to worship our Creator, nurture believers and evangelise those yet to know the saving grace of God and to show mercy.
Worship
To have profound love and devotion towards God. This is expressed in various ways, deliberately setting out in our actions to please God, singing spiritual songs of worship accompanied with dance to God’s glory just as David did, actions of sacrifice towards God and towards others especially those who are at the fringe of society. We have been created to enjoy a fulfilling relationship with our Creator
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
[4] Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord : [5] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. [6] And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: [7] And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Our calling is to love God with all we are. worship proceeds from how we perceive God and how He is appreciated for all that He represent. Praising God is celebrating Him for who He is.
Psalm 99:5
[5] Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
You cannot celebrate what you do not love. Worship is not just a preparation towards something, it is in itself a major calling for us. Apart from the battle aspect of worship, it is also an appreciation of our eternal Creator. There is significant power when we worship God, this is the reason why satan seeks to receive worship the is the exclusively due unto God alone.
Luke 4:7-8
[7] If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. [8] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Ephesians 5:17-20
[17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is . [18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; [19] Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; [20] Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
David understood worship.
2 Samuel 6:14-16
[14] And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. [15] So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. [16] And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord ; and she despised him in her heart.
We are to worship God irrespective of our station in life and prevailing situations. Our worship of God is not a factor of what we are dealing with. We are to daily declare like Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him (Job 13:15)
- Nurture believers
Salvation is the receiving newness of life spiritually on the basis of confession of one’s sins, confessing and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, this results in immediate cleansing and translation from the kingdom of darkness into God’s family. A new spiritual identity is bestowed. The regenerated one has the desire to obey God. A Christian must be kept connected to the source of life, cared for, nourished properly and protected if his spiritual life is to be sustained, maintained and flourish. Those within the church are to have an assurance of safety even in the midst of vulnerability. The church is where people should be part and be confident that they will not be exploited. Unfortunately, I have seen many cases of vulnerable people sometimes being exploited. Those who are part of such need repent to avert the wrath of God’s judgement.
Parable of the sower
Luke 8:9-15
[9] And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? [10] And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. [11] Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. [12] Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. [13] They on the rock are they , which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. [14] And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. [15] But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it , and bring forth fruit with patience.
Abiding in Christ
The church is to help facilitate or challenge the believer to abide in Christ, grow and make them produce fruits that will abound unto God’s glory. The role of the church, leaders and members as well is to enable the weak know that they are nothing except they abide in Jesus Christ (John 15:5)
Colossians 1:27-28
[27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: [28] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Teaching facilitates learning and learning enhances practice. Pastors and others with the responsibility for teaching must take it very seriously. The drive must always be to edify or build up the body. We build when we teach, through what we say and what we do. We are helping to groom and cultivate when we teach, it is one of the most emphasised assignment for Christians. Nurturing believers help equip them them grow beyond spiritual babyhood such that they become disciples who are positioned for the work of ministry and ready help grow others also
3. Evangelism and mercy
Matthew 28:19 [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 9:36-38
[36] But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. [37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Teaching the world God’s ways is a primary task of the church. We are called to also be fishers of men just as Jesus Christ called His disciples were previously engaged in fishing as a profession. When was the last time you were moved by the spiritual state of someone who you know do not have a relationship with Christ such that you presented the gospel to that person, how concerned is the church for souls today?
Matthew 4:19
[19] And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
We are also called to show mercy and compassion by expressing love especially to those in need, even to those who we might not even like. We should make it a point to stand up against injustice and speak for the underprivileged. The church gathering is a place where people are supposed to encounter God and His supernatural power that breaks yokes and bondages imposed by ignorance and the devil. The church gathering is where believers uphold the name of Jesus Christ and use it to pull down strongholds because of the compassion they feel for those who have been imprisoned by the devil. The presence of the Holy Spirit enables this power to flow when Christians arise in faith
Job 29:12-17
[12] Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. [13] The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. [14] I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. [15] I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. [16] I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. [17] And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
Luke 6:33-36
[33] And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. [34] And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. [35] But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. [36] Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
It is imperative to have all 3 aspects in balance. We must walk in these areas so that our church can be healthy and alive and well positioned to do exploits. We must cannot afford to be part of the dysfunctionality we see in the world today, we are called to be ambassadors of Christ.