What Is An “Ekklesia”? Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. (Acts 19:32 ESV) For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. (Acts 19:40-41 ESV) A confused, riotous mob.

What Is An “Ekklesia”? But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. (Acts 19:39 ESV) An assembly/meeting of government officials.

What Is An “Ekklesia”? This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. (Acts 7:38 ESV) Israelites, traveling to Canaan

What Is An “Ekklesia”? And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 ESV) Universal assembly of those belonging to Christ

What Is An “Ekklesia”? Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. (Romans 16:16 ESV) To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV) Disciples joining together as family in a specific location, who worship and work together to meet the responsibilities placed on local congregations

What Is An “Ekklesia”?  Not a place  Not an action  PEOPLE

Is This “ekklesia”/church Important?  “Preach the man, not the plan” ?? …even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (Ephesians 1:4 ESV)

Is This “ekklesia”/church Important?  “Preach the man, not the plan”  Isn’t the church “incidental” to faith in Christ?

Is This “ekklesia”/church Important?  “Preach the man, not the plan”  Isn’t the church “incidental” to faith in Christ?  Can’t one be “in Christ” outside the church? But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV)

Is This “ekklesia”/church Important?  “Preach the man, not the plan”  Isn’t the church “incidental” to faith in Christ?  Can’t one be “in Christ” outside the church?  CONCLUSION? Being IN CHRIST is being in His body Being IN HIS BODY is being in the church Thus, the church IS important!

WHY is the church important? 1. Because Jesus loved (agape) it Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 ESV)

WHY is the church important? 1. Because Jesus loved (agape) it 2. Because Jesus gave Himself for it For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 ESV)

WHY is the church important? 1. Because Jesus loved (agape) it 2. Because Jesus gave Himself for it 3. Because Jesus cleansed/sanctified it

WHY is the church important? 1. Because Jesus loved (agape) it 2. Because Jesus gave Himself for it 3. Because Jesus cleansed/sanctified it 4. Because He’s making it radiant What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. (Luke 7:25 ESV)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:7-9 ESV)

WHY is the church important? 1. Because Jesus loved (agape) it 2. Because Jesus gave Himself for it 3. Because Jesus cleansed/sanctified it 4. Because He’s making it radiant 5. Because Jesus is the Savior of it Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. (Acts 20:28 ESV)

WHY is the church important? 1. Because Jesus loved (agape) it 2. Because Jesus gave Himself for it 3. Because Jesus cleansed/sanctified it 4. Because He’s making it radiant 5. Because Jesus is the Savior of it 6. Because Jesus is the Head of it And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23 ESV)

The church IS important. Is Jesus YOUR Head? Is Jesus YOUR Savior? Are you in HIM, His body?