1. Prepared by Chris Reeves * South Livingston Church of Christ Gospel Meeting * February 22, 2004 “Upon This Rock” Matthew 16:18 What the Bible Teaches About the Lord’s Church

2. “Church” Is Used in Many Unbiblical Ways Today A building set apart for worship; a place for weddings and funerals A building set apart for worship; a place for weddings and funerals A religious service A religious service A group of all “Christians” A group of all “Christians” A particular sect or religious denomination A particular sect or religious denomination An ecclesiastical government An ecclesiastical government A profession of the clergy A profession of the clergy A group of worshippers A group of worshippers A temporary plan until the kingdom comes A temporary plan until the kingdom comes A social or recreational club A social or recreational club A forgotten institution A forgotten institution

3. The Lord’s Church PURPOSED and PLANNED by God (Eph. 3:10,21) PURPOSED and PLANNED by God (Eph. 3:10,21) PROPHESIED and PREPARED by Prophets (Isa. 2; Dan. 2; Joel 2; Acts 2) PROPHESIED and PREPARED by Prophets (Isa. 2; Dan. 2; Joel 2; Acts 2) PROMISED and PURCHASED by Christ (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 5:25,29) PROMISED and PURCHASED by Christ (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 5:25,29) PRESENTED and PREACHED by the Apostles (Acts 2:41,47; Eph. 5:32) PRESENTED and PREACHED by the Apostles (Acts 2:41,47; Eph. 5:32)

4. Souls Called Out 1 Corinthians 1:2 “Church” (Gr. kuriakon, kuriakos) = the Lord’s house; belonging to the Lord (1 Cor. 10:21; 11:20; Rev. 1:10) “Church” (Gr. kuriakon, kuriakos) = the Lord’s house; belonging to the Lord (1 Cor. 10:21; 11:20; Rev. 1:10) “Church” translates the Gr. ekklesia = called out assembly “Church” translates the Gr. ekklesia = called out assembly  Assembly of Israel (see LXX at Deut. 31:30; Josh. 8:35; Judg. 21:8; 1 Chron. 29:1; Acts 7:38; Heb. 2:12)  Assembly of non-saints (Acts 19:32,39,41)  Assembly of Christians (109 times in NT)

5. Souls Called Out 1 Corinthians 1:2 “Church” in two senses “Church” in two senses  Universal sense: all Christians, in all places, of all time (Matthew 16:18; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18)  Local sense: some Christians in a specific location (Ac. 11:22; 13:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:7; 11:18; 14:23,33; 16:1,19; 2 Cor. 1:1; 8:1; Rom. 16:1,4,5,16,23; Gal. 1:2,22; Col. 4:15- 16; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2:14; ; 2 Thess. 1:1,4; Philemon 2; Rev. 1:4,11,20; 2:1-3:22; 22:16) “Church” is a collective noun “Church” is a collective noun  “Church” = people (Matt. 18:17; 11:22)  “Church” = saved people (Ac. 2:41,47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1)

6. Souls Called Out 1 Corinthians 1:2 From what is mankind called? Sin (Acts 26:18; Col. 1:12-13; 1 Thess. 2:12; 1 Pet. 2:9-10) From what is mankind called? Sin (Acts 26:18; Col. 1:12-13; 1 Thess. 2:12; 1 Pet. 2:9-10)  Called from worldliness (see Acts)  Called from man-made religions (see Acts) Who does the calling? God (2 Tim. 1:7-9; 1 Pet. 5:10) Who does the calling? God (2 Tim. 1:7-9; 1 Pet. 5:10) How is mankind called? The gospel (2 Thess. 2:13-14) How is mankind called? The gospel (2 Thess. 2:13-14)

7. Souls Called Out to Work 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 The Lord’s Church Worships The Lord’s Church Worships  Assembling (Acts 11:26; 14:27; 15:22; 1 Cor. 11:18; 14:4-35)  Praying (Acts 12:5)  Teaching God’s word (Acts 13:1; 1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17; 12:28; 1 Tim. 3:15; 2 Tim. 2:2; Rev. 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22; 22:16)  Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 11:17-34; Acts 20:7)  Offering (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:1-2,19,23)  Singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)

8. Souls Called Out to Work 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 The Lord’s Church Works The Lord’s Church Works  Evangelism (Acts 13:1; 15:3,4; 2 Cor. 11:8-9; 12:13; Phil. 4:15; 1 Tim. 3:15)  Edification (Acts 9:31; 11:22,26; 14:23; 15:41; 16:5; 18:22; 20:28; 1 Cor. 10:32; 2 Cor. 11:28)  Need servants and workers in the church (Rom. 16:1-5,23; 3 Jn. 6)  Do not need tearing down in the church (3 Jn. 9-10)  Benevolence (Acts 2,4,6; 2 Cor. 8:18-24; 1 Tim. 5:16)  Discipline (Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11)

9. Souls Called Out to Work 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 The Lord’s Church Worships and Works through Organized Leadership The Lord’s Church Worships and Works through Organized Leadership  Leadership is designed by God to help the local church mature and do its work and worship (Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11ff; 1 Tim. 3:5)  Elders in every local church (Acts 14:23; 15:22; 20:17; Jas. 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1-2)  Deacons in every local church (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-13)

10. Souls Called Out, To Stay Out Ephesians 5:27 The Called Out Are “Saints” (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2) The Called Out Are “Saints” (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2) The New Testament Stresses… The New Testament Stresses…  Avoiding worldliness and apostasy  Blessings in Christ  Sanctification, holiness and faithfulness  Righteous living and walking worthy  Persecution (Acts 8:1,3; 12:1; 1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6; 1 Thess. 2:14)  True worship, regular assembling, Bible study

11. Souls Called Out, To Be Called In Hebrews 12:23 Those Who Have Been Called Out of the World, and Have Stayed Out, Will One Day Be Called Into Heaven Those Who Have Been Called Out of the World, and Have Stayed Out, Will One Day Be Called Into Heaven What is the goal of God’s calling? What is the goal of God’s calling?  Hope (Eph. 1:18; 4:4)  High & heavenly calling (Phil. 3:14; Heb. 3:1)  Glory (2 Thess. 2:14)  Eternal life and eternal kingdom (1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Pet. 1:10-11)

12. Souls Called Out, To Be Called In Hebrews 12:23 Why Does the New Testament Stress These Things? Why Does the New Testament Stress These Things?  Brevity of Life, Then Death (Jas. 4:14)  Afterlife (Luke 16:19-31)  Second Coming of Christ (1 Thess. 4:16)  The Resurrection (Jn. 5:28-29)  Judgment Day (Heb. 9:27)  Heaven and Hell (Matt. 25:30-46) Because This World Is Not Home for the Church Because This World Is Not Home for the Church

13. What is the Lord’s Church? The Church = Souls The Church = Souls Souls Called Out Souls Called Out Souls Called Out To Work Souls Called Out To Work Souls Called Out, To Stay Out Souls Called Out, To Stay Out Souls Called Out, To Be Called In Souls Called Out, To Be Called In The Church Is… The Church Is… A Saved People (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23) A Saved People (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23) A Special People (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; 11:16; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13) A Special People (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; 11:16; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13) A Separated People (Eph. 5:26) A Separated People (Eph. 5:26) A Submissive People (Eph. 1:22; 5:23-24; Col. 1:18,24) A Submissive People (Eph. 1:22; 5:23-24; Col. 1:18,24)

14. Ask Yourself… Dear sinner, what is your relationship to the world around you? Have you been called out of the world? Dear sinner, what is your relationship to the world around you? Have you been called out of the world? Dear Christian, are you responding to God’s call to work and worship? Or, has the Devil called you back into the world? Dear Christian, are you responding to God’s call to work and worship? Or, has the Devil called you back into the world? Will you be called home to heaven? Will you be called home to heaven?