|
The Bible describes the Church as a body, a family, a temple, a kingdom and a bride. Each and every family group is like a Church. Below is a study of how our family group should ideally be.
1. Church as a Body.
a. Colossians 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Can we say an organism and not an organization? Few things regarding the body.
b. 1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Each one of you is a part of it.
c. 1 Corinthians 12:25
So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
Parts should have equal concern for each other.
d. Romans 12:4
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function.
Each of us have different functions.
e. 1 Corinthians 12:23-24
23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it.
How each of us functions as a member of the body affects the strength of the congregation!
2. Church as a Family.
a. Ephesians 2:19
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household.
b. 1 Timothy 3:15
If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
People ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
c.
Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
d. Hebrews 2:11
Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Let us not be ashamed to call anyone brother or sister.
e.
1 Timothy 5:8
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
As it is our responsibility to provide for our physical family, let us do the same for the family of believers. (meeting the needs of the Church)
f. Matthew 12:25
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
Every household divided against itself will not stand. Let us support and encourage one another.
A willingness to get to know one another is very important for a healthy congregation. How each of us provides for the needs of the Church shows how healthy the congregation is!
3. Church as a Temple.
a.
1 Corinthians 3:16
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?
The purpose of the Temple is to offer sacrifices. Today can we say spiritual sacrifices?
b. Hebrews 13:15-16
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.
16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
c. Romans 12:1,2
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
d. 1 Corinthians 3:17
If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
How each of us offer spiritual sacrifices to God through our voices, body and service is a true measure of the congregation.
4. Church as a Kingdom.
a. Colossians 1:13
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
Kingdom suggests a King. When there is a king there are subjects too. This calls for obedience and submission. Few things about the kingdom of God.
b.
Romans 14:17-19
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
c. 1 Corinthians 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
How each person submits to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is a true measure of any congregation.
5. Church as a bride.
Ephesians 5:25-26
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
How each of us submits to God and His words reflects the purity of the congregation.
|
