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•Working in the Light of God’s Authority as a Church * What is the mission of the church? A wide spectrum of answers would be offered from across the religious landscape. Social services Disaster and poverty relief Business ventures Secular education Politics Recreation Foundational to God-shaped respect for authority is humble recognition and consistent awareness that the church belongs to God. For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Eph 1:15-23) The Spirit of God has clearly communicated the means by which the people of God can enjoy unity in the service of God. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:1-3) We are the recipients of a calling from God. We are to eagerly maintain the unity defined by the Holy Spirit of God. We are to enjoy and promote the bond of peace graciously made available to us by God. This is all about God! And this is the practical means God has provided so that his children might enjoy constructive unity: There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph 4:4-6) The one body—which is the church—recognizes Jesus Christ as “head over all things to the church” (Eph 1:22-23). It’s not up to us to define or modify the nature, the mission, or the means of carrying out the work of the Lord’s church. It has been a part of God’s eternal purpose all along. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. (Eph 3:7- 12) Who do we think we are—limited in every way—to be so bold as to disregard the instructions and authoritative examples that have been preserved concerning the Lord’s church? As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 2:4-5) What is the God-defined mission of the Christ-centered individuals who make up this spiritual house?