The Church – Metaphorically

TEXTEph. 3:10-11

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE CHURCH – GREATER THAN ALL HUMAN INSTITUTIONS.

          1.       Because of its author ( Eph. 3:10-11 ).

          2.       Because Christ is the head ( Eph. 1:22-23 ).

          3.       Because Christ is its builder ( Matt. 16:18 ).

B.      A TRUE CONCEPT OF THE CHURCH LEADS TO A LOFTY APPRECIATION.

C.      THE CHURCH IS DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE USING METAPHORES.

I.      A BUILDING ( 1 Cor. 3:9 ).  STABILITY.

A.      IT HAS A STRONG FOUNDATION ( 1 Cor. 3:11 ).

B.      KILLING THE BUILDER COULD NOT STOP IT ( Matt. 16:18 ).

C.      IT IS FORMED OF VARIOUS MATERIALS.

          1.       Those who make the church were once in the world ( Col. 1:13-14 ).

          2.       All are invited to be a part ( Matt. 11:28 ).

          3.       “Living Stones” ( 1 Pet. 2:5 ).  Perfectly matched and fit together ( Eph. 2:21 ).

          4.       Anchored to the Rock ( Eph. 2:20 ).

D.      A HABITATION OF GOD ( Eph. 2:22 ).

II.     A BODYUNITY AND FELLOWSHIP.

A.      RELATION OF CHRIST TO THE CHURCH – THE HEAD ( Col. 1:18 ).

B.      RELATION OF CHRIST TO CHRISTIANS – THEIR SAVIOR ( Eph. 5:23 ).

C.      RELATION OF CHRISTIANS TO ONE ANOTHER – MEMBERS ( Rom. 12:5 ).

          1.       The unity of the body is pointed out in 1 Cor. 12:12-31.

                   a.       Common entrance for all members ( vs. 13 ).

                   b.       Each part has a function ( vs. 14-22 ).

                   c.       The harmony of the Body ( vs. 25-27 ).

          2.       Ephesians 4:15-16.

III.    A VINEYARD ( Matt. 20:1 ).  THE WORK.

A.      THE FOREMAN WENT OUT EARLY – IMPORTANT WORK ( Matt. 9:36-38 ).

B.      WE WENT TO HIRE LABORERS.

          1.       No force ( Rev. 22:17 ).

          2.       Offered a reward ( 1 Cor. 15:58 ).

C.      TO HIRE LABORERS ( Heb. 6:11-12;  John 15:2 ).

D.      INTO HIS VINEYARD ( John 15:8;  Matt. 5:16;  Eph. 3:21 ).

IV.   THE BRIDE OF CHRISTPURITY.

A.      THE BRIDE FORSAKES ALL OTHERS FOR HER HUSBAND.

                   SO SHOULD THE CHURCH.

          1.       Separate from the world ( 2 Cor. 6:16-18Rom. 12:2 ).

          2.       Members ought not to view the world affectionately ( 1 John 2:15 ).

          3.       Efforts toward purity encouraged by Paul ( 2 Cor. 11:1-3 ).

B.      THE CHURCH’S PURITY PRECIOUS TO JESUS ( Eph. 5:25-27 ).

          1.       The price of the church and its members ( Acts 20:28;  1 Pet. 1:18-19 ).

          2.       The mission is so important ( 1 Tim. 3:15 ).

          3.       We are united to Christ ( 1 Cor. 6:15-18 ).

          4.       the destiny of the church demands it ( Rev. 19:7-9;  21:27 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE CHURCH IS MADE UP OF THOSE WHO ARE PURE,

                   WASHED OF THEIR SINS ( Eph. 5:25-27 ).

B.      MADE UP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED ( vs. 26;  Acts 22:16 ).

C.      BUT THE CHRISTIAN MUST REMAIN PURE ( 1 Thess. 5:22 ).