Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition (counsel or warning), upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11

Review of Part 1-What is Church?

Biblically, we determined:

1.) Jesus loves the church. We know this because He gave Himself for her. The relationship is so protective that He compares Himself to a loving husband.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25.

In another place He calls Himself the Bridegroom in Luke 5: 34, 35

And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. Luke 5: 34-35

He is so much a part of the church that it is considered part of his body.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:18

Jesus also compares himself as the most important part of a building: The Cornerstone.

*The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone: Mark 12:10

*The “scripture” He refers to is both Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 28:16

We also saw clearly that the church is not built on, nor belongs to Peter. In fact, His church is built on the Apostles, the Prophets,and His believers:

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, Jesus Christ Himself being the CHIEF CORNERSTONE, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, n whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 2: 19-22

We looked at the words in the Bible for literal buildings like Temple, House of God, Synagogue, Sanctuary. etc. These were places the children of Israel learned about the coming Messiah and received forgiveness of sins by faith in the coming of the “lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.” Sinners on this side of the cross receive forgiveness by faith also in what Jesus did at the cross. The cross is the focal point for both Old and New Testament believers.

Purpose of Israel-God’s People

The Mission of Israel

 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?  Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles (scriptures) of God. Romans 3:1

There was a purpose for the buildings and services in the Old Testament.  It was to be a Schoolmaster or Shadowy examples of the purpose and the coming Messiah (Galatians 3, Hebrews 10).  The School Teacher showed them in literal ceremonies the nature of Christ’s mission. He was to be a sacrifice like the lamb of God.  But, because of the tough lesson of trusting in God and also the blood sacrifices, they came to dislike what the teacher was illustrating and looked for a different story…a conquering king on a large white horse who comes to rescue them from their enemies.  They changed the story.  We must learn from them.  If we don’t like the story, we shouldn’t try to change it.  Embrace the truth and it will make you free.

The Schoolmaster also helped the people understand about sin, its penalty (death, and even the eventual Day of Judgment and the end of the story of sin (Atonement and cleansing of the Sanctuary)

So the literal buildings and its laws of sacrifice and ceremony had a purpose to prepare the people of God to know the truth.  Some did and some didn’t.  As a whole, they rejected the truth, failed to follow, and obey God.  When their Messiah came, they didn’t like Him because they didn’t like the story.

But the purpose of Israel was to do the same as Jesus commanded his disciples. They were to be a special people who followed God and were blessed for it.

Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60: 1-3

If they obeyed God, not for the purpose of eternal salvation, but out of love and respect for Him and his laws, they would be blessed, educated, healthy, and happy. They would have been a contrast to the world and the knowledge of God would show the world the truth as it is in Him. People would be drawn to them by their love and blessings then bestowed upon them. This is how God worked (and I might say still works) to get the people’s attention: He draws them to Himself.

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:13

When a person sees and understands God’s love for them and his eagerness to forgive and help, they will be convicted of their sins, repent, and turn to Jesus. Out of a grateful heart will come to a following and obedience to His will. This has always been God’s method to draw people to him. The Cross is the ultimate illustration of God’s capacity to love and forgive sinful men.

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will DRAW all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die.” John 12: 32-33

This gospel was also part of the Old Testament and the children of Israel.

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Exodus 19:5

The same for the people of the New Testament. 1 Peter refers back to the Old Testament verbiage to call us to be lights to the world.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9

Who is this referring to? Verse 5 tells us:

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

These “lively stones” are the Christian believers who were sojourners in various cities. They too are part of the “spiritual house.” This is the church! This would include those today that are followers of Jesus. They are not a denomination, they are a congregation of believers everywhere!

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” Verse 6

 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, Verse 7

Did you notice that Jesus is precious to those who believe in Him, but those who are disobedient, they “disallow” Him. Is it not clear that the children of Israel were disobedient and that they did not glorify God nor the lamb that takes away the sins of God.”

“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

Jesus became a stumbling block to them (and it happens today). Why did Jesus become a stumbling block? Because they stumbled at the word. They did not want to believe and follow God’s plan word. Therefore they made their excuses and became disobedient. They don’t like the story.

Purpose of the Church

Trust and Obey

The purpose of the church of Jesus Christ is to do the opposite, they are to not stumble at God’s word and become obedient. Please don’t fall for the false teaching that obedience is not required for the New Testament believer. While obedience alone can not save you from eternal death, obedience is proof that you truly love and respect Jesus and desire to follow Him. The first act of conversion is an act of obedience i.e. baptism. Jesus confirms that we are to follow Him and the words that God the Father gave Him.

In fact, we can’t call Jesus Lord if we don’t follow his commands:

But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Luke 6:46

He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4

Individuals who make up the church who do not obey are building a house on sand and will not stand.

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: Matthew 7:26

I want to end here with two verses. The first one points to the last-day people of Jesus’ church. They are identified by three things; 1.) Satan (the dragon) is enraged at them because 2.) they are obedient to God’s commandments and 3.) they have a personal testimony about Jesus. Remember, the church of Jesus Christ is redeemed believers everywhere in different denominations who follow Jesus. It is not a denomination it is a universal Jesus’ congregation.

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17

There are no differences for those who are “In Christ.”

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

The next verse was troubling for the Jew and encouraging for the Gentile in the time of the early church.. This we will discuss over the next couple of studies as we begin to understand the mission of the church…particularly in the last days.

Paul was talking to the Jews when he said,

 “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.  For so the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed Acts 13: 46-48

Something prophetical happens here. A new sense of urgency in the mission and the identification of God’s people and His church.

Next time we will learn from the mistakes of Israel, as the scripture encourages us to do so.

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 1 Corinthians 10:6

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition (counsel or warning), upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11

The things about Israel are meant to be council and warning for the church living in the end of time.

“Nevertheless they were disobedient
And rebelled against You,
Cast Your law behind their backs
And killed Your prophets, who testified against them
To turn them to Yourself; Nehemiah 9:26