Christ and the Church
Christ and the Church
Eph. 5:22-33
Introduction
1. Compares marriage relationship with relationship of Christ and the ‘church’
2. Each member individually is married to Christ - Rom. 7:4; 2 Cor. 11:2-3
Christ is the HEAD of the BODY .. vs. 23
1. Became such HEAD when raised / ascended .. 1:20-23
2. As head – has all authority over… is head over ALL THINGS – 1:22
3. We live by HIS word – HIS teaching – Col. 3:16-17, Mtt. 28:18, etc.
4. As head – he has provided nourishment through the very relationship of the body – Eph. 4:12-16
a. Thus the importance of a healthy relationship to God’s people ..
b. Thus an ACTIVE participation in this body ..
c. Through SUCH we are to GROW – help in the further building up of the body
Christ is the SAVIOR of the body – 23
1. He CAME to save – to save PEOPLE -
Matt. 1:21 –
Luke 2:11
Luke 2:26, 30-32
Luke 19:10
2. BUT such is about PEOPLE … it is PEOPLE that are SAVED…
3. Such being saved and being part of HIS church are ‘glued together’ --
4. Dangers
a. of separating –
cp. Acts 9: join self to the ‘church’ – with THEM coming and going…
b. of equating this to an institutional view –
It is a relationship – to relate to Jesus AND thus to His people !
Christ Loved the Church and Gave His LIFE for it – 25
1. the EXTENT of such love –
2. Such the TRUE friend – John 10:17-18
3. Such demonstrates GOD’s love – Romans 5:6-8
4. It is through such shedding of blood – that we are redeemed / purchased – Acts 20:28, 1 Cor. 6:19-20
5. We then are HIS – each of us are HIS – when we sin against each other – we sin against HIM…
Christ died that He might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE the church - 26
1. Sanctify – to separate / consecrate – to set apart unto God for sacred use.
a. We are SAINTS – 1 Cor. 1
b. Our sanctification is God’s purpose in our lives – 1 Thess. 41f
2. Cleansed –
a. often used for picture of sin that ‘defiles’ and ‘soils’ –
b. Titus 3:5 –
c. Acts 22:16 –
d. Hebrews 10:22
3. By the WORD ..
a. through the revelation – the instruction that it gives ..
That He might Present it to HIMSELF – a GLORIOUS CHURCH – 27
1. We to STAY sanctified and clean –
2. We to be ‘without spot and blemish’ – of moral imperfections… 2 Cor. 4:14
3. 1 John 3:3 – this our hope, and THUS we keep ourselves pure…
4. Col. 1:22-23 - we not moved away from such hope … not go back to the world and sin…
5. He will come – and take us to himself – and thus we shall ALWAYS be with the LORD – 1 Thess. 4:
Summary
We often see the church in very different light ! We often look at the imperfections. We often look at ourselves in the wrong view – but it is time to change the view and see God’s people as God sees them.
ARE YOU ONE OF HIS PEOPLE…
Acts 2:
1. repent / baptized – for the remission of sins in the name of Jesus
2. As many as received .. were baptized
3. The LORD added TOGETHER such as should be saved – thus the CHURCH
Adapted from Walton Weaver’s article in Truth Magazine, Vol. XLIV: 4 p1 February 17, 2000