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T U L I P Total Depravity Unconditional Election Limited Atonement Irresistible Grace Perseverance of the Saints

The church is the community of all true believers for all time. The church is made up of all men and women who have been, are, or ever will be true believers in Christ Jesus.

The invisible, yet visible church 2 Timothy 2:19a – “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows who are His.”” Since only God knows who is truly saved, this is called the invisible church.

The invisible, yet visible church However, the church is also visible. While the invisible church is the church as God sees it, the visible church is the church as Christians on earth see it. The visible church will contain true believers as well as others who do not truly believe or follow the claims of Jesus.

Other Descriptions of the Church Throughout the New Testament, the word “church” is used to describe different types of groups of believers. Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19 A small house church 2 Corinthians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:2 A large church based in a city

Other Descriptions of the Church Throughout the New Testament, the word “church” is used to describe different types of groups of believers. Acts 9:31 The church in an entire area Ephesians 5:25, 1 Corinthians 12:28 The church throughout the entire world

Other Descriptions of the Church Scripture uses a variety of metaphors to describe the church: 1 Timothy 5:1-2 The church is a family 2 Corinthians 11:2 The church as Christ’s bride

Other Descriptions of the Church Scripture uses a variety of metaphors to describe the church: 1 Corinthians 12 The church as a body 1 Peter 2:4-8 The church as a new temple

Other Descriptions of the Church Scripture uses a variety of metaphors to describe the church: 1 Peter 2:5 The church as a holy priesthood John 15:5 The church as branches on a vine

Other Descriptions of the Church Scripture uses a variety of metaphors to describe the church: 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 The church as a field of crops

What Makes a Church a Church? Traditionally, theologians have agreed that there are two major activities, or marks, that every church must exhibit in order to be truly considered a church: Correct preaching from the Bible. Correct administration of the sacraments. The sacraments of the church are baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

What Makes a Church a Church? What about para-church organizations? Young Life FCA Campus Crusade for Christ Can someone attend one of these organizations instead of attending church? Do these organizations function as a church? Or do these organizations encourage their members to become part of a local church?

What Makes a Church a Church? Among true churches, two further distinctions can be made: Purity Ephesians 5:26-27 Unity John 17:21

What is the Church Supposed to Do? The church is supposed to minister to: God Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 1:12 How does the church minister to God? By worshipping Him. What does this look like at Southside?

What is the Church Supposed to Do? The church is supposed to minister to: its members Colossians 1:28, Ephesians 4:12-13 How does the church minister to its members? Through discipleship and nurturing. What does this look like at Southside?

What is the Church Supposed to Do? The church is supposed to minister to: the world. Matthew 28:19 How does the church minister to the world? By making disciples of all nations. What does this look like at Southside?

What is the Church Supposed to Do? The church was created for: Worship Discipleship Evangelism Mercy Is this something we are doing at Southside? How could we do it better?

The Church’s Power to Fulfill Its Mission When Christ left earth, He gave the church the Holy Spirit, which empowers Jesus’ followers with the gifts of the Spirit that are needed to minister. Spiritual gifts include such gifts as: Teaching Showing mercy Administration Spiritual gifts are given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7) and for the “building up” of the church. (1 Corinthians 14:26)

The Church’s Power to Fulfill Its Mission The church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, should present to the world a foretaste of what is to come when Christ returns. When the church accomplishes that, it is truly doing what it is called to do.

Memory Verse Romans 12:4-5 – “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

Name that Church Washington National Cathedral

Name that Church The Crystal Cathedral

Name that Church Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York

Name that Church Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church

Name that Church Perimeter Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA

Name that Church Redeemer Presbyterian Church, San Antonio