Rev. Brandt Hoffman Pastor and Administrator of Christ Lutheran Church and School Coos Bay, OR THE CHURCH FOR: The World Misconceptions GALORE from both Christian and Non-Christians WHAT is Church? (club, lodge, therapy center, moral temple, activism center) Church Defined as a WHAT The Modern struggle to survive based on "programs Childcare School-focused Youth Center Church as CULT OF FAMILY What the H%#%? Are you saying we shouldnt CARE about kids? Are you saying we shouldnt care about FAMILIES? Are you saying we shouldnt do any PROGRAMS? You whipper snapper! Ill get up and and and and zzzzzzz No I am not saying that THESIS V: THE CHURCH Although the Church in the proper sense of the word is in its essence invisible, nevertheless its existence can be (definitely) recognizable, namely, by the marks of the pure preaching of God's Word and the administration of the Sacraments according to Christ's institution. Church & Office THE REALITY: Church & Ministry For this section, we see Rev. Walther outline the Church in terms of three important Criteria: I.A Biblical Witness II.A Public Confession III.Scholarly, internal literature I. Biblical WHERE is the Church?? Where seeds are delivered (Mark 4:26-27) Where these seeds do not return void (Isaiah 55:10-11) Where the Word is the only seed from which members spring I. Biblical More than a feeling The Church is where God is heard, tasted and revealed I. Biblical - Gathered For a Specific Purpose The Sacraments in addition to the Word are the means by which the holy congregation of God is: Established Matthew 28:18 All authority. Given to me Make disciples (Baptize / Teach) Gathered Preserved Spread Mark 16:15-16 Proclaim the Gospel Whoever believes and is Baptized I. Biblical Word & Sacrament Marks the Church In Baptism and through the Proclamation of the Gospel, the Invisible Churchs gates are opened! (Genesis 27) Infallible Marks!! I. Biblical Word & Sacrament Marks the Church Sacramental Marks We being many are one bread, partakers of one body (1 Cor10:17) Baptized into one body made to drink into one Spirit (1 Cor 12:13) Walther comes right out and says the Scriptures teach Where the word is purely taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered is the true mark of the Church! II. Public Confession AC VII At all times, the Church exists as the assembly of BELIEVERS AP VII and VIII The Church is both the outward signs [gesellschaft] but above all, is the inward fellowship [gemeinschaft] of eternal gifts in the heart as the HS creates faith, fear and love of God II. Public Confession THE CHURCH IS NOT SOME PLATONIC IDEAL OF CHURCHNESS BUT A REALITY! II. Public Confession Church vs Church Authorities AP XIV: 25, 27 The leaders of the Church in Luthers day were attempting to derive authority from the church as a what (organization) and NOT a WHERE. They would not accept his confession of the Church as a WHERE. To this, he said it was better to renounce the authorities and obey God. II. Public Confession Church vs Modernism Even today, we face the tide from (seemingly) the world and even among the Christian Church Words like Faith, Sacraments, Proclamation are replaced by Effective, Successful, Relevant. These are NOT our words! They do not convey a WHERE, but a WHEN and a HOW(to). II. Public Confession Church-Adorned People AP XXIV:50-51 Speaks of the adornment of the Christian as more than a simple moral improvement or behavior modification but as one who is adorned with good catechesis to receive these gifts with thankfulness in prayer. II. Public Confession Church- ATTENDING People The Second Petition Thy kingdom come. What does this mean? The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also. How does Gods kingdom come? Gods kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity. A godly life is one of more than behavior modification, but as one who is regularly in the Word of God. Anyone who has not been to the Lords table in a year can scarcely be called a Christian Luthers Large Catechism III. Witness of the Church in Private writings Many Churches grab on to every popular writer who comes down the pike. Why? They are exciting They speak to your frustrations They offer to solve the problem of your ministry meaning the WHERE of your ministry. They want to replace it with a WHAT and a WHEN ministry. CFW Walther categorically denies this thinking! III. Witness of the Church in Private writings The witness of Martin Luther and the other Church Fathers, as they confess the Scripture THROUGH the Scriptures is the lineage we have. It is the shoulders of the ones who came before us to confess Christ in Word and Sacrament. For certain, it is a less glamorous task, but when it comes to the lives of the flock in which you have been placed, our primary task is that of serving within the WHERE of Christs Church.