Ephesians 3:8-11 "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now, the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the Church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Every building that is built has a purpose. A house is built to be lived in; an office for the administration of business and its related tasks; factories for the production of commodities for mans use; civic buildings for civic affairs; schools for education; banks for banking and financial transactions. The church has a unique purpose in the plan of God and is very important. God had an eternal purpose in mind when He planned creation and redemption. This purpose is the Church and nothing will frustrate it. Over the centuries, the Church has been relentlessly attacked, and yet every attempt to destroy or minimize the purpose and mission of the Church has been without success. Jesus said, "I will build My Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."

THE CHURCH MUST REACH THE LOST

Jesus first words to those He called was, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." His last words before He ascended back to heaven were, "Go into all the world, preach the Gospel, cast out devils, lay hands on the sick, make disciples." Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18.

The Church is to win souls, this was evident when the Church first started. They did not have all the means that we have available today, they had no radio, television or internet. They did not even have a complete canon of Scripture yet. Even so, they went everywhere physically possible, God working with them, and within the short period of two years, the entire known world of the day had heard about Jesus.

There are over six billion people in the earth today, with 60% to 80% living in cities. The church must reach out at any cost. There are over one billion Muslims; one billion Catholics and seven hundred million Protestants, of which six hundred million are Pentecostal Charismatics. Sadly, there are too many flickering flames behind the pulpits of our churches. D L Moody said, "Get a flame behind the pulpit and the Church will get on fire."

Another great missionary evangelist once said, "Some live within the sound of church and chapel bells, but I want to run a rescue ship within a yard of hell."

You cannot take material possessions with you, but you can take souls with you. The Church must be obedient to the great commission. It is the command of the King of kings, why should we disobey?

THE CHURCH MUST BE INVOLVED IN MINISTRY TO THE LORD

We have been created for Gods pleasure (body, soul and spirit) and with a desire to worship. Ministry to the Lord is far more important than our ministry for Him. The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. There is no form laid down in the Bible with regard to worship; no creed or liturgy. God desires our worship and we honour, reverence and pay hommage to Him. This means to venerate and hold Him in great awe. Jesus said, "we must," it is imperative, "worship in spirit and in truth." It is by and through the aid of the Holy Spirit and according to the Word of God, that we worship Him, and not according to the traditions of men.

THE CHURCH IS TO MINISTER TO THE SAINTS

The saints are to be built up in their faith, come to spiritual maturity and be conformed to the image of Christ. Saints are to love one another; comfort one another; exhort one another; admonish one another; prefer one another; have fellowship with one another and share communion with one another.

The ministries of the apostle, prophet, pastor, evangelist and teacher are to equip the saints to help them to come into their own ministries as fully functioning members of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-16.

THE CHURCH IS TO ENFORCE THE VICTORY OF CHRIST OVER SATAN AND HIS KINGDOM

The church is not to be passive, but militant. The gates of hell shall not prevail, the weapons of the Church are mighty to the pulling down of the devils strongholds. We have the Word, the Blood of Jesus, the Name that is above every name, and the power of praise and worship. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the church enforces the victory of the cross and the resurrection. The devil is to be rebuked, resisted and cast out. Jesus said, "As the Father sent Me, so send I you." He came to seek and to save; deliver the oppressed; heal the sick and set the captives free.

The Church is not a building or a denomination, but it is people who are born of the Spirit and filled with the Spirit. The manifold wisdom of God is to be made known to principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to His eternal purposes, which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."