WHY I LOVE THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Did Jesus love the church of Christ? Ephesians 5:25 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it

Acts 20:28-31 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

When I speak of loving the church of Christ, I am not speaking of loving a building … I am not speaking of a people who follow the doctrines of men Matt. 15:9

I am speaking of God’s family, the church of Christ I Tim. 3:15 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Songs that we love that describe our love for the kingdom of the Lord, the church…Christ and His Church… I LOVE THY KINGDOM LORD 289 and 290 For Christ and the Church ..156 The Church’s One Foundation. 623 624 The church’s one foundation, is Jesus Christ her Lord.

I want it clearly understood what I am Professing to love: . .What Jesus gave His life for. “The church That belongs to Christ” Acts 20:28; Eh. 5:25; Gal. 2:20;

1 Peter 1:18-21 King James Version (KJV) 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God

We need to be aware of this phrase: “In Christ Jesus”. This phrase, or its equivalent occurs 166 times in Paul’s writings: 36 times in the book of Ephesians alone!! He used it over and over…and so should we!

All the saved in Christ. Gal. 3:26-27; I Cor. 12:13 Eph.5:25; Col.1:13 The One Body of which Jesus is the head. (Eph. 1:22-23 Eph.4:4; Eph. 5:22; Col. 1:18 All the saved in Christ. Gal. 3:26-27; I Cor. 12:13 Eph.5:25; Col.1:13 Local Groups who adhere to the doctrine of Christ. Rom. 16:16; 2 Cor. 11:28

I love the church of Christ because of is origin. Jesus Christ built it..He calls it HIS CHURCH> Matt. 16:18 Jesus Christ added to it ..the church daily. Acts 2:47 The church of Christ that I love is of God—not man. Matt. 15:13 The church of Christ that I love exists today… (the Seed..) Luke 8:11; I Pet. 1:22-25; Acts 2:38-47; Col.1:13

Because the church of Christ Submits to Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:24 therefore,just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. The church of Christ submits to and follows the teaching of Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17 Whatsoever you do 2 John 9 Whosoever goeth onward..

I Love the church of Christ because it tells us How to be saved: Acts 2:38 Acts l6:30-33 How it is organized. Phil. 1:1 What it is does in worship: John 4:23-24; Acts 20:7; What it does in work: Evangelism; Edification; Benelvoence Eph.4:11-16; I Thess. 1:8; Acts 2:42ff

And look at the Blessings that we have IN Christ…

Because it is blessed: 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: The chosen The Beloved The Predestined The Adopted The Accepted The Redeemed’ The Inheritance

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: I love the church of Christ because we have been Chosen by Jesus Christ !! 2 Thess.2:14 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Calls everybody the same way: Through the Gospel…Preach it; Believe it; Obey it; and Live by it! Rom.1:16,17

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, I love the church of Christ because: We are the adoption children of Jesus Christ! We are in the family of God. I Tim.3:15 The Lord has predetermined that they who will Hear and obey the Gospel, who live faithfully to The Lord, are the adopted children of God…and will ‘inherit’ ever lasting life!!!

HE HATH MADE US ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. I love the church of Christ because God hath made us People who are accepted…we belong to Jesus Christ!!!

Eph. 1: 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Redeemed us PRICE PAID… BY WHOM? JESUS CHRIST!! FORGIVEN US.. SINS BLOTTED OUT… washed away… Acts 22:16 Acts 2:38

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; We KNOW!! No doubts, we are in the church of Christ!... Acts 2:47. When we obey Him, just like those on First Penetcost after the resurrection of Jesus, we are Are HIS! ((Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; I Pet.4:16))

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: We know We understand We are children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!!

The dispensation of the fullness of times…when it was all 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: The dispensation of the fullness of times…when it was all Completed, we are IN..we belong to HIM…. Col.1:13; delivered out of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s Dear Son!. We didn’t join it…the Lord Added us!! Acts 2:47

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. We don’t doubt it…we know it. We have confidence in the Lord…We belong to JESUS CHRIST!

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory When did the Ephesians trust in God??? 1. After they heard the word of Truth…Rom. 10:17 2. The Gospel of salvation Rom.1:16….I Cor. 15:1-4

Sealed: Stamped by the Holy Spirit… We belong to Jesus Christ! I am so glad that I love the church of Christ.

So many other things could be said Today as to why I love the church of Christ! I am not ashamed of it. I am thankful for it.

Because I love the church of Christ I will seek to build it up. Hebrews 10:24,25 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

I will strive to serve within it. Eph.4:16 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

I will willingly sacrifice for it. 1 John 3:17 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

I will support its efforts. 2 Cor. 8:9 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Lord, you can COUNT ON ME….

Do you love the church of Christ? Will you let the Lord add you to His church. Acts 2:47 Will you submit to Jesus as your head? Col.3:17 Will you follow the Lord Jesus Christ and be Blessed? I Cor.15:58