What Is The Church?
Introduction
What Is the Church?
‘The day of the assembly/church’ (Ex 19ff)
• Deut 4:10 (see Deut 9:10, 10:4, 18:16)
The Church is The People
• Acts 12:1,5, 20:28
• “All the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house.” (Rom 16:4-5)
The Universal Church
• “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body” (Eph 1:22-23)
• “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph 5:25; see also Heb 12:23)
The Local Church
• “to the church of God that is in Corinth” (see also Rom 16:4-5, Rev 2-3)
Implications
• We belong to each other
• We need each other
Why Does the Church Meet?
• Deut 4:10
Why it doesn’t meet…!
• Heb 10:19-22
• “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:1ff; see also Jn 4:21-23, Heb 12:28-13:17)
Downward (Deut 4:10; See also Eph 4:11-12)
Implication: Come to church to be equipped!
Outward
• “Consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb 10:25; see also 1 Cor 11:17,18,20,33,34, 14:23,26)
Implication: Come to church to encourage!