The Church

The Church

Audience: For someone who does not understand what the biblical church is or who needs to understand the importance of commitment to the church
Theme: The church as the body of Christ
Purpose: To encourage, inspire and teach God’s plan for success as Christians

Introduction:

God’s plan is total commitment to the church, which is the body of Christ.

Main Study

Colossians 1:18 Jesus is the true head of the body, or church,19 which is his body.
1 Corinthians 12:21 We’re members of this body. We need the church; the church needs us.
Hebrews 10:24-25 Will avoid “swerving” if spur others on and make all the meetings.
Hebrews 3:12-13 Daily encouragement prevents being hardened by sin.
Acts 2:42 Time capsule look at the early church.

Colossians 1:18

The church is not an institution, building, or denomination, but the body of Christ. Not an organization, but an organism. As there is only one head, so there is only one body.

Ephesians 2:19-20

The church is not a building, but is compared to one because God dwells in his people, the church. It is also a family (1 Timothy 3:15). As with a natural family, you must be born into it. At that time God becomes your father, and every other Christian your brother or sister. The church is the kingdom of God, his people. The church must base itself on the New Testament (NT apostles and prophets [Ephesians 3:5, 4:11]—i.e. their teachings) in order to have a claim to legitimacy. It is through obedience to his word that we submit to Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Analogy: church = human body. According to 12:13, we are baptized into the church.20 According to 12:14, the church needs us, and we need the church. The goal (12:25) is that there be no division in the body, rather equal concern and love for one another. 18 There is another approach to studying the church which is also very effective: tracing the following themes in the book of Acts: (1) Boldness, (2) Persecution, and (3) Growth. For each theme select verses from the book of Acts, proceed straight through for each of the 3 themes, and stress that these are characteristics of God’s church. 19 Church = translation of ekklesia, which means assembly, or congregation. For example, in Acts 19 ekklesia is used three times of the illicit assembly of the enemies of the church! (19:32, 39,40)! 20 Moreover, we are baptized in the Spirit when we are baptized in water. The Spirit makes us members of the body of Christ.

Romans 12:5

Extra passage. As in an earthly family, each member belongs to all the others. We are no longer our own! So surrender that independent spirit! We are interdependent, not independent (refusing direction) or dependent (refusing to take responsibility for our own decisions).

Hebrews 10:23-25

To do well spiritually (“hold unswervingly”—analogy of car swerving all over the road) you need the church—this is God’s plan. Attend all the meetings of the body. Think in advance of how to meet the needs of other members of the body.

Hebrews 3:12-14

Personal involvement in one another’s lives, lest sin cause anyone to forfeit salvation. We must persevere to the end (3:14). We are responsible for the spiritual welfare of our brothers and sisters in Christ. This entails openness (Ephesians 4:24), confession (James 5:16), counseling (Colossians 1:28), and daily encouragement (contact), as seen in many NT passages.

Acts 2:42-47

What are the characteristics of a New Testament church? (If people followed all these principles, what would the church be like?)

A Devotion to God’s word, leading to a working knowledge of it.
A Devotion to the fellowship.
A Devotion to communion (Acts 20:7).
A Devotion to prayer.
A Sense of awe and excitement!
A Generous sharing with one another, both of money and hospitality.
A Growth of the body: not only spiritual, but also numerical. In the New Testament, this is the result of daily evangelism. Refer to the church growth facts in the Discipleship study.

Conclusion

Being an active part of a fellowship of believers is important. never miss the opportunity to be part of the body, to grow spiritually. How has being part of the fellowship of believers helped you?