Sermon By:

Pastor Bob Paquet

THE CHURCH

Matthew 16:15-18
[15] He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" [16] And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." [17] And Jesus answered
and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. [18] "And I also say to you that you are Peter,
 and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.

The Greek word ekklesia - a meeting of people called out and summoned together

New Testament - Congregation of God’s people in Christ Citizens of God’s kingdom

1. THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE OF GOD
Believers redeemed by the blood of Christ

1 Peter 1:18-19
knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, [19] but with precious blood,
as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
A pilgrim people no longer belonging to this earth

Hebrews 13:14
[14] For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

A community in relationship to God

1 Peter 2:5
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.

2. THE CHURCH IS A PEOPLE CALLED OUT OF THE WORLD AND INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Separation from the world with the Lord as one’s God and Father

2 Cor. 6:16-18

3. THE CHURCH IS THE TEMPLE OF GOD AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Demands separation from unrighteousness and from worldly immorality

1 Cor. 3:16
Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

4. THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST

1 Cor. 6:15
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? There is no true church without the union of the members with Christ
The head of the Body (the Church) is Christ

Ephes. 4:15

5. THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

Devotion and faithfulness of the church to Christ

Christ’s love for and intimacy with His church

Rev. 19:7
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready

6. THE CHURCH IS A SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP (koinonia)

2 Cor. 13:14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

7. THE CHURCH IS A SPIRITUAL MINISTRY

Serves through the use of spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit

Romans 12:6
And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

8. THE CHURCH IS AN ARMY INVOLVED IN SPIRITUAL CONFLICT

It fights by the power and the sword of the Spirit

Ephes. 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

9. THE CHURCH IS A PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH

Defends the truth against false teachers and distorters

Philip. 1:16
the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

10. THE CHURCH IS A PEOPLE WITH A FUTURE HOPE

The future return of Christ for His people

Titus 2:13
looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;

11. THE CHURCH IS BOTH VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE

The church invisible - the body of true believers united by their faith in Christ

The church visible - local congregations containing faithful believers as well as professed Christians who are false

Return to TOP