This is Part #2 of a Bible Clas in the series of lessons i presented on "Stop DOING Church." I believe to "stop DOING church" we need to begin to understand what the church is all about.
4. The Ephesians Reasons Christ is "head over all things to the church" - Ephesians 1:22 The church "is His body" - Ephesians 1:23 The church is "the fullness of Him who fills all in all" - Ephesians 1:23
5. The Ephesians Reasons The church is part of God's "eternal purpose" - Ephesians 3:10-11 To God be "glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages" - Ephesians 3:21 "Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body" - Ephesians 5:23
6. The Ephesians Reasons Christ "loved the church and gave Himself for it" - Ephesians 5:25 Jesus' design is to present it as "a glorious church" - Ephesians 5: 26-27 Jesus nourishes and cherishes the church - Ephesians 5:29-30
7. The Ephesians Reasons The church was purchased with the blood of Christ - Acts 20:28 The church is His body - Colossians 1:18,24 The church is the family of God, the pillar and ground of the truth - 1 Timothy 3:15
9. What is the Church The called out –1 Peter 2:9 We are sanctified by the truth—John 17:17
10. What is the Church The Church Is "The Body Of Christ"--Ephesians 1:22-23 We are members of the body, and of one another. 1 Corinthians 12:27 Romans 12:5
11. What is the Church The Church is the “Household of God”...(the family of God) - 1 Timothy 3:15 We are in Jesus' "family" - Matthew 12:48-50 We have many brothers and sisters - Mark 10:28-30 We are to treat each other accordingly - 1 Timothy 5:1-2
12. What is the Church The Church is the “Temple of God” (a holy habitation or dwelling of God) Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5 We have a responsibility to maintain purity - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1
13. What is the Church The Church is the “Kingdom of Christ” As Paul wrote to the Colossians, they had been "translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love" - Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9 This emphasizes the authority-making power in the church; Christ is King, He has all authority! - Matthew 28:18,20
14. What is the Church The Church is the “Bride of Christ” We are betrothed to Christ - cf. 2 Corinthians 11:2 This figure portends of an even greater relationship with Christ is the future! - Revelation 19:6-9; 21:2