Who Composes The Universal Church

In our previous Lesson we established that Jesus built one universal church.

HIS church ... singular.

Matthew 16: 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

The Apostles taught one church.

Ephesians 4: 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. ( cf- Col. 1: 24 .. His body which is the church .. )

Jesus is the head of that one church.

Colossians 1: 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, ...

That one universal church is the eternal dwelling for all who enter it.

Death cannot overpower Christ’s church.

Matthew 16: 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

The death of Jesus facilitated the purchase of His church.

Acts 20: 28 Be on guard ..... to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Man’s physical death is temporary.

II Corinthians 5: 1-2 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven,

Whether they be living or deadJesus will transfer ALL His called ones to Heaven eternally.

I Thessalonians 4: 13-18 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede ... continues

I Thessalonians 4: 13-18 ... continuedthose who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

There are those living on the earth today who will be with God eternally.

- Who are they ?

- How can one be included in that eternal fellowship ?

I. Only those who are called are in God’s one universal, eternal church.

God’s calling is not miraculous, but made by means of a message .

It is God who calls all whom He saves.

I Corinthians 1: 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God’s “calling” is a choosing of people who will be saved.

II Peter 1: 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

God uses the gospel to call those whom He will save.

Many who hear the gospel message think it is foolishness.

I Corinthians 1: 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (cf- Acts 17: 32 ... Sneer )

God chooses to save people by the proclamation of a message .

I Corinthians 1: 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

Thus, Those who do not receive the gospel message cannot be saved.

II Thessalonians 2: 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

Many hear the call, but only few respond to it in faith.

God knows most people will not accept.

Matthew 22: 12 ( Jesus ) For many are called, but few are chosen.

Matthew 7: 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

All who are called to salvation are called by means of the same gospel message.

II Thessalonians 2: 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

One must receive the gospel in faith.I Thessalonians 2: 13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

( Cf. – I Cor. 15: 1-6 )

God expects responses to His calling, but salvation is by grace through faith.

One is not saved by his response.

Galatians 3: 22 But the scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Ephesians 2: 8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

II. The faith that saves ... calls one out of the world and then guides his life.

Faith is more than believing that Jesus exists and that He is God.

James 2: 19-20 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

Belief without obedience is futile. Luke 6: 46 Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say ?

Titus 1: 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

The Apostle Paul taught that faith requires one to totally surrender his life to Christ.

Galatians 2: 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Galatians 5: 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Being totally surrendered to Christ, requires one to reject the world’s values.

Becoming a Christian requires change.

Ephesians 2:1-5 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires

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Ephesians 2:1-5 ... continued of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved),

A changed mindset changes one’s life.Colossians 3: 1-3 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

This change of values and lifestyle is called repentance and it’s essential.Acts 3: 19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

God wants everyone to repent.

II Peter 3: 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

III. When one has developed active faith and turned from the world, God requires him to make a public commitment to Christ.

God has no secret agents in His kingdom.

Jesus required people to confess their faith in Him to others.Luke 12: 8-9 And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9 but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

Timothy made a public confession of faith before many witnesses.

I Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

The Ethiopian Treasury Secretary was asked to make a confession of faith.Acts 8: 36-37 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 37 [ And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."]

IV. Once a commitment is made, one’s relationship with Christ must be solemnized.

A couple may deeply love each other, but they are not married until the wedding.

Many try to cohabit with Christ.Matthew 7: 21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 " Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

One solemnizes his relationship with God when, by faith, he obeys a form of teaching.

Romans 6: 1-6 ... continuedthrough the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

All saved people are added to God’s one universal church.

Those who responded positively to the Apostles’ gospel message were baptized.

Acts 2: 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

Those being added to the church were the ones who were being saved.

Acts 2: 47 ( Day by day continuing with one mind ... ) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. ( cf.– 5:14 ... believers )

The Lord adds each saved person into the church just as He decides.

I Corinthians 12: 12-13a For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slave or free ...

There is but one body of Christ on earth and Christ is the head of that body.

Ephesians 4: 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (cf-Col 1:24)

Colossians 1: 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, ...

Who composes the one universal church ?

All who have responded in obedience to the gospel.

God’s call goes out to all, but few will accept it and surrender to Him.

God’s invitation is extended to you.