Christ Loved the Church
“Jesus loves you. Jesus loves the church.” Eph. 5:25-33
Conversion is just the beginning of the Christian life. The journey to our eternal home in Heaven begins here. The new birth places our feet on the royal road to Heaven, our name on the lambs book of life. God has two great institutions, Home and Church.
I: Just the Beginning.
1. The possibility of becoming like Jesus.
2. Aims in life as different, different hopes, different destiny.
3. The desires of life are so changed that we must seek new ways to live by. Worked out thru our daily living.
4. This radical changed demands a new plan for life.
5. God’s plan was and still is the local visible body of believers called the church.
II: The Church Is God’s Family to Help Us Travel the Royal Road to Heaven.
1. It is for those who are called out.
2. The word “ekklesia used 115 times in the N.T. at least 92 times it refers to a local church.” Hobbs “When referring to all saints as members of the church, the time referred to is after judgment.” Hobbs.
3. The church was established to counter evil in the world. To be a school and family for God’s children.
4. The Great Commission was given to the local church. GO — Make disciples. Baptize. Teach them to practice all the commandments that I have given you. No other organization commissioned.
5. It is identified by Redeemed Membership, baptized, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and democratic in government.
III: Christ Loved the Church, & Commissioned the Church.
1. The church is his body. Cor. I 12:27
2. Christ is the Head of the church. Eph. 4:16
3. The church is the bride of Christ!
4. “Christ loved the church and gave himself for it!” Eph. 6:25
IV: If This be True?
1. A Christian cannot be right with Christ and ignore the church and its reason for being here.
2. If Christ died for it we ought to love it enough to live for it.
3. If Christ looks at the church as his Bride, we ought to treat it as such.
4. To be in fellowship with Christ means “If ye love me keep my commandments.” John 14:15.
Go, Teach, Baptize, teach to observe all that I command.