Christ, the Supreme Head of the Church

TEXTEph. 1:22-23;  Col. 1:18

INTRODUCTION:

A.      MOST PROMINENT TRUTH:  JESUS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH.

B.      VARIOUS FIGURES USED TO DESCRIBE THE CHURCH.  JESUS IS HEAD.

I.      THE CHURCH, A KINGDOM( Matt. 16:18-19 ).

               GOVERNMENT.

A.      JESUS BOUGHT THE CHURCH WITH HIS BLOOD( Acts 20:28 ).

B.      Rev. 1:5-6.  PURCHASED TO BE A KINGDOM AND PRIESTS.

C.      JESUS NOW SITS ON HIS THRONE( Acts 2:29-36 ).

          1.       David's throne symbolic of authority in God's kingdom( Matt. 28:18 ).

          2.       Acts 2:36;  Col. 3:17.

II.     THE CHURCH, A BODY( Eph. 1:22-23;  1 Cor. 12:27 ).

               UNITY.

A.      THERE MUST BE UNITY IN CHRIST'S BODY( Eph. 4:3 ).

B.      Romans 12:3-4.  IN SPITE OF THE DIVERSE PEOPLE IN IT.

          1.       Each person plays a role and is important.

          2.       We can only function in connection with the head( Eph. 4:15-16 ).

          3.       Jesus is the head( Col. 1:18 ).

          4.       Ony Jesus has the right to direct his body( Col. 2:16-20 ).

III.    THE CHURCH, A TEMPLE( 1 Cor. 3:16-17 ).

               WORSHIP.

A.      A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD( 1 Pet. 2:9;  Rev. 1:6 ).

B.      JESUS IS OUR HIGH PRIEST( Heb. 4:14 ).

C.      John 14:6.  THE ONLY APPROACH TO GOD( Heb. 10:19-23 ).

IV.   THE CHURCH, THE LORD'S ARMY.

               WARFARE.

A.      JESUS IS THE CAPTAIN OF OUR FAITH( Heb. 2:10, kjv ).

B.      ALL CHRISTIANS SOLDIERS IN THE ARMY( 1 Tim. 1:18;  Eph. 6:10-17 ).

C.      OUR OBJECTIVE & NATURE OF CONFLICT( Eph. 6:12;  2 Cor. 10:3-6 ).

D.      OUR BATTLE BOTH OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE( Eph. 6:17;  Phil. 1:16 ).

E.      2 Tim. 2:3-4.  PREPARATION IS NECESSARY.

          1.       Prepare for hardship.

          2.       Determine to please him, not ourselves.

F.      2 Cor. 2:14.

V.    THE CHURCH, A VINEYARD( Matt. 20:1 ).

               WORK.

A.      THE HOUSEHOLDER WENT OUT TO HIRE ... VOLUNTARY, REWARD.

B.      HIRE LABORERS( Titus 2:14;  3:1 ).

C.      INTO HIS VINEYARD:

          1.       God is glorified in the church( Eph. 3:20-21 ).

          2.       God is glorified if it is his work we do( 1 Pet. 4:11-10;  Matt. 7:21-23 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE CHURCH IS NOT A MERE APPENDAGE TO GOD'S PLAN.

B.      IF YOU WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN YOU MUST BE A PART OF IT.

C.      1 Cor. 12:13;  Acts 2:41, 47kjv.