CHURCH LIFE CLASS
PEOPLE OF GOD
PREFACE: The concept of the people of God lies at the heart of the purposes of God. All throughout
Scripture God has revealed His intention to have a people for Himself in this earth that would
reflect His nature and Kingdom. A proper revelation of the people of God will help break us
out of our individualistic frame of reference into the corporate purposes of God.
I. THEME OF THE BIBLE
To properly understand the whole bible we must have an understanding of the central themes
of it.
Without understanding central themes we will have a hard time seeing how the OT and NT fit together.
B. To effectively serve God’s purpose in our generation we must have a regard for the theme of the Bible.
Acts 13:22 22 “And after He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’ (NASB)
Acts 13:36 36 “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers, and underwent decay; (NASB)
C. Central theme of the Bible
Central figure - Jesus Christ
Major themes of the bible - Reconciliation, Atonement, Redemption, etc.
Central theme - God choosing a people out from all the other peoples of the earth, and forming them
into His Holy Nation. They are to live under His rule in order to demonstrate His
Kingdom in the Earth.
The people of God is a central theme of the Bible.
D. Scriptures regarding the theme of the people of God.
1. Exodus 19:1-7
2. Deut 7 :6-8
3. 1 Pet 2:4-10 Peter quoting from Exodus 19 and emphasizing the same theme as having it’s
fulfillment in the church.
4. Titus 3:13-14
5. Eph 5:25-27
6. 1 Cor 10:1-11
7. 2Cor 6:16-18
E. Definitions
Nation - A nation of people. Dictionary - A body of people associated with a particular territory that
is conscious of it’s own unity to seek or to possess a government peculiarly it’s own.
Kingdom - A rule, a domain, a realm, royal power or dominion, a king’s rule or domain.
People - A people of the same race and language. Dictionary - The whole body or persons
constituting a community, tribe, race, or nation.
F. History of this theme throughout the bible.
Adam - God’s desire for Adam and Eve to fill the earth with a people of His own image. Gen 1:28-28
Abraham - God chooses a man of faith to father a nation of people that will bring blessing to other
nations. Gen 12:1-3, Gen 15:1-6
He reaffirms the promise after Ishmael. Gen 17:1-7
He reaffirms the promise after the sacrifice of Isaac. Gen 22:16-18
Isaac - God reaffirms Abrahamic covenant with Isaac. Gen 26:23-25
Jacob - Steals birthright from Esau; steals blessing from father; wrestles with Angel and his name
changed to Israel (striven with God). God affirms name change and promise of a nation and
people to come forth from him. Gen 35:9-12
Joseph - the dealings with Joseph and his brothers culminated with the preserving of His people
Gen 45:7, 50:19-20
Moses - People of God multiplied in Egypt. Ex 1:7-9.
God raises up Moses to deliver them. Ex 3:7-8.
People led out to Mt. Sinai and received their national identity. Ex 19:1-6.
Numbers - People lead to land and rebel, go back into the wilderness until a new generation arises.
Deuteronomy - Moses assembles the new generation and recounts the covenant to them. He explains
to them that their purposes as a nation is so other nations will see the greatness of God
through them. Dt 4:-7, Dt 7:6-8
Joshua - People led into the promise land and capture key strategic places.
Judges - People mess up as they fight against the enemies in the land and God delivers them by raising up Judges.
1&2 Sam, 1&2 Chron, 1&2 Kings - Samual is the last Judge and the people want a king to rule over them. Saul is chosen first king but he turned out bad then David is anointed as king. David’s son Solomon takes over and builds the temple. He dies, and the kingdom is divided between the 10
northern tribes of Israel and the southern tribe of Judah. Each has a series of good and bad kings that
rule over them until the northern tribes are led away into captivity by Assyria and the southern
kingdom is led away into captivity by Babylon.
Ezra and Neh - After 70 years of captivity a remnant returns under Zerabble and Jeshua. Later Ezra
returns with a remnant and the Temple is rebuilt. Twelve years later Nehemiah returns
and builds walls around the city.
Jesus comes on the scene and announces a new phase in the plan for the Kingdom/Nation/People
of God.
He announces that the Kingdom is being taken away from the natural Jews and given to the Church.
Mt 21:42-43, Rom 9:24-26. He tells it in a Parable. Lk 20:9-18. He tells Peter He is giving the keys
of the Kingdom to the Church. Mt 16:16-19
Christ gives His life to sanctify God’s people. Titus 2:13-14, Eph 5:25-27
Paul expresses it as both believing Jews and Gentiles being formed into one new people in Christ
(Eph 2:11-22) in order that the life of the Kingdom and the life of Jesus be expressed through them.
The New Covenant is a covenant of peoplehood. Heb 8:1-12 is a quote from Jer 31. Peter expresses
the fulfillment of the idea of peoplehood through the Church. 1 Pet 2:4-10
G. Quotes on Peoplehood
Snyder - “As a people the church is itself the verification of the message it proclaims or else the betrayal of that message.”
“The Church is constituted a people just as an individual is constituted a child of God. Converted
individuals become part of the transformed people. The walking out of this reality always produces
a church with NT dynamic, unless stifled by unbiblical traditions.”
II. BIBLICAL MANIFESTATION OF INVOLVEMENT WITH THE PEOPLE OF
GOD
A. The Biblical model of involvement with the people of God is in the context of the Church, specifically the Local church.
The word church is used 114 times in the NT, 96 of those times is in direct reference to the Local
Church.
B. Definition of Church
Gk Ekklesia - calling out, called out ones, assembly, or called out and assembled together for a
special purpose.
C. God’s design of Hs people is interdependence.
Romans 12:5 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (NASB) Amplified “mutually dependent on one another”
Ephesians 4:25 25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. (NASB)
The concept of the Body of Christ speaks of interdependence. 1 Cor 12:13-27, Eph 4:16
We have seen such an emphasis on the personal walk and faith, that the corporate aspect of the people
of God has been neglected.
Ephesians 3:18 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (NASB)
D. Only as we are committed to walking together with God’s people will we operate in a Biblical model.
Ephesians 2:21-22 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (NASB)
Ephesians 4:16 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (NASB)
Colossians 2:18-19 18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. (NASB)
1 Peter 2:4-5 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (NASB)
E. It takes commitment to community to walk in relationships with the people of God.
Acts 2:24 says they were devoted to fellowship.
Fellowship: Gk koinonia - a having in common, partnership, a shared life, or a common life. It is where we get our word community.
Wallis - “Community is the very essence of the Church, and the very lifestyle of the Kingdom. The
Church is community.”
F. We must avoid the unbiblical idea of failing to be practically joined and committed to walking
together with a company of people.
We don’t want to be spiritual bumble bees, spiritual butterflies, spiritual lone rangers, or spiritual
grasshoppers hopping from one exciting meeting or Bible study to another. Nor do we want to be
content with only being a part of the radio or television church that has little real involvement with
other believers.