Mount Isa Baptist Church

Extracts from “The Master’s Plan for the Church” by John MacArthur

The church is a body, and we should look closely at its anatomy.

Every body has certain features: a skeleton, internal systems, muscles, and flesh. A church needs to have the proper framework; remove any of those key features, and the body cannot survive.

We start with the skeleton

For a body to function, it must have structure. The skeleton gives a body their structure. Likewise, there are certain skeletal truths that a church must be committed to if it is to have a sound structure.

These doctrines are unalterable and non-negotiable; they cannot be compromised in any way. Yield on any of these points, and you destroy the skeleton – the church ceases to be a church.

1. A high view of God

It is absolutely essential that a church perceive itself as an institution established for the glory of God. Today the church seems to think its goal is to help people feel better about themselves. It focuses on self-esteem, entertainment, and a lot of other diversions to try to meet felt needs. The church has been reduced to an organism that emphasizes knowing and glorifying God to an organisation that focuses on man’s needs. Yet if you know and glorify God, the needs of your life are answered. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” When you have a right relationship with God, everything else will fall into its proper place. John Mac Arthur goes on to say that we should not ignore the needs of people; we are to be concerned about people the same way God is, but a balance must be found, and that begins with a high view of God. We must take God seriously. The problem is that we don’t tremble at God’s Word. We don’t allow ourselves to be confronted by God’s holiness and our sinfulness so that He can use us for His glory. The problem is that people aren’t taking God seriously enough to walk according to His laws. If families were taught a high view of God, there would not be as many family problems in the church. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” If you draw close to God, He will come close to you, but the closer you get to God, the more you see your own sin.

We must take God seriously and exalt Him; we don’t want to have a man-centred church. We are to reach out to people in the love of Christ, but God is still the focus of our worship and our life.

A second non-negotiable truth that makes up the skeleton of the church is the absolute authority of Scripture.

The bible is constantly under attack, even from within the professing church. God reveals Himself primarily through the pages of Scripture, and that written revelation must be held up as the absolute authority.

The third thing that a church must have as a part of its skeleton is sound doctrine.

If you have a high view of God and are committed to Him, you must adhere to what His Word teaches. The teaching of God’s Word make up sound doctrine. Many Christians are vague about doctrine. People need solid doctrine to build their lives on.

Personal Holiness

We must draw lines when it comes to personal holiness. We need to be careful about what we expose ourselves and our family to. We dare not lower our standards along with the world. What our society tolerates is shocking. Things that were not spoken of a decade ago are now openly flaunted. Christians are called to live a pure life, and we cannot compromise that. We should enforce a standard of purity among ourselves. Many Christians aren’t as concerned about personal holiness as they should be. Where are you in terms of holiness and communion with the Living God? We can’t live semi committed Christian lives and still expect God’s work to be done.

One final component of the skeleton structure of a church is spiritual authority.

A church must understand that Christ is the head of the church and that He mediates His rule in the church through godly elders.

Let’s sum up what we‘ve learnt:

For the church to be effective as the Body of Christ, it has to have the right framework. It has to have a high view of God. The pursuit of the church should be to know God. In seeking to know God, the authority of Scripture must be recognized, for it is through the Bible that we can know God. A church should have a high view of Scripture and a commitment to teaching sound doctrine. The people of the church should also seek personal holiness and submit their souls to the care of those the Lord has placed over them as spiritual authorities.

Pastor Erik Sitati – From Kenya – connected through our YouTube channel.

I received an amazingly encouraging email from Kenya, which I shared parts of at the church meeting, and I encourage you to be in prayer for this church and also our YouTube ministry that we have the privilege through it to reach people across the world. We serve an amazing God.

About my church and the ministry

It is called CHRIST FELLOWSHIP CHURCH. We are located in continent of Africa in a country called Kenya. We have a small ministry, but we thank God it is growing and touching lives of others in a mighty way. We are blessed serving God with my family and brethren here. We have a heart for the ministry, our heart's desire, hunger, and thirsty is dedicated in Christ work, and we are glad being Christ's witness and ambassadors. We don't preach about ourselves, but preaching only the message of Jesus Christ as the author and finisher of our faith.

I'm much blessed being in touch with you and your beautiful church family! I just want to encourage you that we are, and we have been praying for you all as Christ coworkers in His vineyard especially in these dreadful days we are living in.

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

I replied to the email that was sent, and below are some prayer requests that he has asked for:

Pastor Erik Sitati - Christ Fellowship Church prayer requests,

(1) Pray for our ongoing door to door evangelism and outreaches.

(2) Pray for ongoing church construction, pray for open doors we need iron sheets.

(3) About my community pray for thousands who are in devastating situation and starving due to lack of food and water

(4) Pray for God to provide bibles so that we may give to new converts. Below photo show our outreach meeting held recently, and the hunger people have God's Word.