Why Does It Matter Series: Church

Introduction: Church? What is it? Does It Really Matter?

I have heard the Church described in so many ways…I have heard it demeaned as well as exalted at times above Jesus himself…

So I want to Look at the Idea of Church for just a minute…then if you came to get saved and baptized…we are going to do that today…

Ephesians 3:8 – 21

⁸Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. ⁹I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept a secret from the beginning.

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

NIV

Mystery
1. Paul uses this Word Mystery Often in reference to:
  1. Mystery of godliness
  2. Mystery of faith
  3. Mystery of the resurrection
  4. Mystery of Jesus’ Second Coming
  5. Mystery of Iniquity
2. The apostle Paul speaks often of the Church being a Mystery…
  1. Mystery – was something that had been hidden, then revealed through preaching, revelation, or appearance.
3. The Mystery He is speaking of in Ephesians is both Christ and the Church…but more importantly the relationship between the two…
4. Even Satan knew…

That the Savior would come
When he would come.
Where he would come.
Why he would come…

1. But he had NO idea about the Church!!

The mystery of Jews and Gentiles coming together.
Man in all his flaws being perfected and becoming like Jesus through the Cross…

1. Jesus tried to tell the Disciples when He said:
  1. Upon this Rock I will build my Church…but honestly, they still were unsure what all of that meant

Intention of God
1. Ephesians 3:10
  1. 10 His intent was that now, through the church,
  2. I love that it says, “His Intent…”
  3. God was intentional in what He was going to do and how he is going to do it and where He is going to accomplish it…
  4. iv. Now Through the Church
    1. Eph 3:14-19

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

NIV

1. 1. 1. This is the Prayer of the Great Apostle Paul for the Church of Ephesus…it is the cry of Jesus for the Church today…
2. The Cross
  1. We understand the Cross was God’s plan to restore the relationship between humanity and God…
  2. But it was also in the Intention of God, that the Cross would restore humanity to humanity…
  3. This is put on display, through and in the Church…The body of Christ
  4. When you are born again…you are born into the Church…you can NOT escape it!
    1. You can NOT be a follower of Jesus and escape your identity of the Church.
    2. You are Church! You can NOT be a follower of Jesus and be isolated from His Church.

Transition:

I loved last week how people were driving down the road others watching at home on Livestream and saw what was happening at the Church…turned cars around, got up, got dressed from home, and drove to Church…

Identified In the Church
1. The Church is both Individual and Corporate…it is not one or the other…YOU MUST BE A PART OF BOTH
  1. We have focused so much over the years about the Ecclesia…called out ones…that we have neglected, to our detriment, the Church as the Local Body of Christ…
  2. The books that Paul wrote and the Rebukes John gives in the book of Revelation were predominately written to Churches in Cities…the Whole Church…not specific individuals.
2. The Church is both Local and Universal…
  1. Paul teaches us that in every Epistle He writes…

Transition: You need to be a part of a local church…a place that is teaching the word of God…a place that holds you accountable…a place where you learn Authority and the Submission to Authority.

Body and Bride

Eph 5:25-33

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

ESV

1. Last week, so many marriages were restored in the baptismal waters…testimonies have rolled in about marriages, families, and homes…being Healed and Restored.
2. The Imagery is Beautiful in the scriptures, but it is also reflective of another story we know…
  1. It is found in the book of Genesis…
  2. God bringing Eve out of Adam…
  3. What did Adam say concerning Eve…She is now bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh…in other words…she is my body.
  4. 1 Corinthians tells us – Jesus is the Last Adam …vs.45.
3. Pierced in the Side
Eco-System – WORSHIP TEAM COME – START PLAYING KEYS
1. Another Mystery about this thing We call The Church
2. The Church was never meant to be an Institution…instead, it is an Eco-System
3. An Eco-system is = An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life.
4. Let me rewrite it for People of Faith…An Eco-system is a geographical area where lives are changed, faith grows, miracles are expected… and the Atmosphere is conducive for the landscape of your Future to Change and Be all God intended it to be…To Form a Bubble Where Life can be restored.
Altar Call
1. If you came today to be baptized, I want to encourage you to come and line up…as we prepare to baptize people today…
2. Pastor I haven’t given my life to Christ Yet…well you can do that on the way to the Baptismal pool this morning.
3. Listen to me: If you get baptized today…I promise you will get more than Just wet…Just like the Church is a Mystery…so is Baptism…There is a supernatural exchange that is going to take place this morning…Your old life, For a Brand New Life In Jesus Christ…
Closing
1. John 2:17 “Zeal for your house will consume me.” (ESV)
2. Another Word for Zeal is Passion…
3. Are you willing to be guardians of the Eco-system

Why Does It Matter Series: Church

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