1. Part 7a What is the Church? - A Consumer’s Guide
New Covenant Presbyterian Church
Inquirer’s Class

2. Review: The Gospel brings a newness of life.
The Moral Law no longer condemns us
but guides us.
Every Christian now wants
to worship God – seeking to worship
in spirit and in truth.
Every Christian has a duty
to fellowship with other believers.
Review:

3. The church is precious to God
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).
The church is precious to God

4. The church is also to be precious to us.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb. 10:23-25, ESV)
The church is also to be precious to us.

6. The Church of Jesus Christ –
A Consumer’s Guide

7. Begin with a definition
What the church is not –
A building
although it often benefits the church
to have a building/facility.
Dura Europa
Saint Pierre, Geneva (Calvin’s pulpit)
New England Meeting House
Mt. Martin’s, London
Begin with a definition

8. Begin with a definition
What the church is not –
A building
An organization
although the church works better
when the organism is organized.
Begin with a definition

9. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
(Revelation 21:1-2 ESV)
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 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. (Eph. 5:25-27, ESV)
What the church is not –
A building
An organization
What the church is –
The bride of Christ – invisible and visible

11. What is most important? Is it doctrine? Is it entertainment?
Is it duty?
Is it fun?
Is it where others serve me?
Is it where I serve others?
Should I demand to have everything in a church to continue my attendance?
Should I sacrifice and endure for the sake of others?
What is most important?

12. History
Geography
Doctrinal Emphasis
Commitment to Biblical Integrity & Loyalty

13. Starting with the Basics
The three marks
of the real church –
The preaching of the Word of God
The observance of the sacraments
The exercise of discipleship
and discipline
Starting with the Basics

14. Read:
Confessing Christ, chapter 5
Homework:

15. New Covenant Presbyterian Church
Preaching God’s Sovereign Grace
to a World of Need
128 St. Mary’s Church Rd. Abingdon, MD