The Church

Author: Praveen Raj Kumar. YDate: 15/04/2012

Place: Houthalen, Belgium

1The Church

Today we are going to discuss about:

• The Church• Specialities/Significance of Church• Characteristics of Church

2The Church

The Church

What is a Church?

It is a divine/holy institutionCol 1:18, 24 BODY OF CHIRSTJohn 3:5 KINGDOM OF GOD1 Tim 3:15 HOUSE OF GOD [God’s Household]Heb 8:9,11 Church has to follow & obey his

directions

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What does Jesus Christ mean to the Church?

Eph 5:23 Savior of the body, the Church.Eph 1:22,23 He is the HEAD of the Church.Eph 5:22-32 Jesus Christ died for the ChurchActs 4:12 Salvation found in Christ.Matt 16:18 I will build my Church.

To Conclude:Christ is its SAVIOR/ HEAD/ BUILDER

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Speciality/Significance of the Church:

Christ’s Church is considered as the Glorious Bride.

A Glorious Beginning of the ChurchA Glorious Head of ChurchA Glorious Names in the BibleA Glorious Work of the ChurchA Glorious Destiny

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A Glorious Beginning of the Church:

Acts 1:8 – 2:1-4 In Jerusalem with great power and driven by Holy Spirit, the foundation was laid.

Acts 2 The Gospel was preached by the Apostles in different languages than their own mother tongues.

Acts 2 Not few, but many thousand people were pricked/cut to the heart, after realizing the truth.

Acts 2:41, 47 Not just few, about 3000 obeyed the Gospel and Lord added to their number daily who were being saved.

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A Glorious Head of the Church:

Colossians 1:8 Christ is the Head of the Church, which is the body.

Matt 28:18 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Christ.

Eph 1:22-23 God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything.

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A Glorious Names in the Bible:

Romans 16:16 Church named as “CHURCH OF CHRIST”

Eph 1:23, 4:12 Church is considered as the Body of Christ.

Acts 11:26-28 The followers of Christ were called as Disciples. And the disciples were called CHRISTIANS first at Antioch.

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A Glorious Work of the Church :

Eph 3:10 His [God] intent was that now, through the CHURCH, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers &authorities in the heavenly realms.

1 Cor 10:31 Church should do all to the glory of God.

Just like Noah’s Ark, Church should save & guide the ones, who believe, trust and obey the gospel, which will save him/her for the eternal life.

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A Glorious Destiny :

Heb 12:22,23 City of the living God. Heavenly Jerusalem. A joyful assembly where thousands & thousands of angels assemble. It leads us to the place where Jesus is living now.

Heb 12:2 Jesus is at the right hand of the throne of God.

Rev 21:3 Dwelling of God is with men and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 10The Church

Purpose & Mission of the Church :

Eph 3:21 To glorify our God, through Church.Romans 1:16 To provide a way for salvation by

preaching the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation. Like Paul, we also should not be ashamed of gospel.

Matt 28:18-20 To preach the Gospel to every creature on this earth.

Baptizing them, who obey to the gospel, in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. It should also teach them to obey in everything he has commanded to us.

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Purpose & Mission not of the Church :

Should not be considered as a missionary.Should not contain any politics kind of activities.Should not be an entertainment factor where

people encourage the members through rock stars & bands.

Should not be a kind of business, where people work for their own goodness & profits.

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All Spiritual Blessings – IN CHRIST :

Eph 1:3 God has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every Spiritual blessing in CHRIST.

Eph 2:16 We have been reconciled into one body, unto God, through his cross.

Eph 1: 6,7 He has freely given his glorious grace to his loved ones.We have received redemption through his blood.We have received the forgiveness of sinsGod’s richest grace has been lavished on us with all wisdom

and understanding.13The Church

One Church – Many Congregations:

Eph 4:4 There is ONE BODY and one Spirit.Eph 1:22-23 Body is the ChurchMatt 16:18 Christ: “I will build my Church” – One

and not many.

In practicality, there can be many congregations, but STRICTLY only one Church/Body of Christ.

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Relationship to Christ:

Col 1:18 Jesus Christ is the HEAD of the BODY, which is the Church.

Eph 1:22,23 An example of Husband & Wife Compared to Jesus Christ & his Bride, which is the Church.

Romans 12: 4,5 We all are the members of the Body/ The Church. One body & many members.

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Characteristics of a Strong Church :

Peter 2:1,2 A taught membership*. Get rid of yourselves of all Malice, and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.*. Like newborn babies, crave for the pure milk, by which we can grow up in our salvation.

Romans 1:8 Strong, growing faith*. The faith of the people in the congregation of Rome was reported all over the world.

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Characteristics of a Strong Church : [Contd]

John 4:24 Pure, Fervent worshipTrue worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit & Truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshippers must worship in Spirit and in truth.

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Characteristics of a Strong Church : [Contd]

Philippians 1:7, 17 Defend/contend for faithPaul being in chains, still defends for the faith and he has to accomplish the mission that he has started.Likewise, we should also be defending for the faith and to complete/accomplish the task assigned to us, as a Church.

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Characteristics of a Strong Church : [Contd]

Acts 2:41- 46 United, Loving and SharingThe disciples/Christians of the ancient times, were united. They shared everything that they had.

Acts 4: 32 Believers were ONE in HEART & MIND. There was no needy person among them, as they helped each other, when needed.

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Characteristics of a Strong Church : [Contd]

1 Cor 15:58 Diligently work for the MasterStand firm in faithLet nothing move you, away from your faith.Give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.Your labour will not be in vain, for sure.

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A great example set for us:Acts 17:10 The BEREANS.

The Bereans received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures EVERY DAY to see if Paul said was true.BEREANS were termed as NOBLE CHARACTERs than the THESSALONIANS.If we expect that the church @ Houthalen to be of more noble character like, BEREANS, we have to READ THE SCRIPTURES Everyday, which will lead us to God & help us in the Judegment Day

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!!!! AMEN !!!!

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