SERIES: THE CHURCH.-A SPIRITUAL BUILDING
TEXT: MATTHEW 16:18
Christ is the center of the Christian faith. He is the owner of the church, the author of our faith- Hebrews 12:2. He bought the church with His own blood. He travailed for the church in the Garden of Gethsemane till drops of blood oozed from His face. He was pierced with a spear on his side and blood and water came out, signifying a birth- the birth of his church. The church came out of the pain of Jesus. The Lord was prepared to pay whatever it takes to buy the church.
The church consists of God’s people an assembly in Greek called “Ekklesia.” It is the assembly of believers and followers of Jesus Christ.
Outside of Jesus there’s no church. The physical buildings are not the church. Denomination is not the church. The early church did not have physical buildings as it is today for the greater church in China. More about the church:-
THE JOY OF THE LORD JESUS IS TO SEE THE CHURCH
- Hebrews 12:2- for the joy that was set before Him. He endured the cross, despising its shame. The joy of our Lord is to see the church, great multitude from every nation, people who have been redeemed by His blood- Isaiah 53:10; Rev. 7:9.
- If you love Jesus our Lord, you must also love the church.
- Jesus is the author and the perfecter of our faith, look to Jesus and live.
THE CHURCH IS A BRIDE
- A wedding occurs because of a bride and a bridegroom. Jesus Christ is the bridegroom, the church is the bride- Rev. 19:7-8.
- The bridegroom loves the bride. You cannot love the bridegroom and hate the bride, they are a couple. One who often criticizes the bride, point’s errors of the bride is not likely to please the bride.
- People who are cynical about the church, who are at fault-finders of the church and servants of God cannot please Jesus our Lord. You hate the bride, you displease the bridegroom.
- The Holy Spirit is the best lady, decorating the bride in preparation to meet the groom. If you obey the Holy Spirit, the Lord will be happy with you. The Holy Spirit walks with you, He talks with you from time to time. You differ with the Holy Spirit, You differ with the Lord.
- Our Lord told us, “He who hears, let him hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church (es), Rev. 2:11, Rev. 2:17, Rev. 2:29, Rev. 3:6, Rev. 3:13 and Rev. 3:27.
THE WILL OF THE FATHER PROSPERS THROUGH THE CHURCH- Isaiah 55:10
- God the Father loves the church because His will on the earth, prospers through the church.
- Because of the church, God the Father has placed all things under the feet of Jesus and appointed him to be head of everything- Ephesians 1:22-23.
- God the Father loves the church because it is the bride of His son.
- God the Father loves the church because the church is the one that started worshipping Him in truth and in Spirit and He looks for such to worship Him- John 4:23.
THE CHURCH IS AN ARMY
- The world is a warzone between the forces of evil led by Satan.
- The church is the army of the Lord, fighting Satan and his kingdom.
- If you are in the church, you are in the army, you are a soldier- 2 Tim. 2:3.
- He who is in us, is greater than he who is in the world- 1st John 4:4.
- Battle is not for cowards, we must be courageous in the war- Judges 7:7.
CONCLUSION
- Are you in the army of God? Are you fighting?
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